Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Topic: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies) (Read 1578 times) previous topic - next topic - Topic derived from U320 for Dummies

Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

December 16, 2020, 10:35:06 pm

So, after further inspection and chatting with Keith after sending him some pictures, we don't think it's a leak, thank God. It sounds like what has actually happened is the fiberglass as separated from the aluminum beam that's directly beneath the bubble (see attached pic).

I tightened down the AC unit from inside and that did help a little bit but it sounds like the long term fix will be to take it to Nac and have someone drill holes into the bubble, shoot adhesive in there, and then put a big heavy weight on it while it sticks back to the beam. I'm going to hop up there tomorrow mid-day to see if it goes away in warmer weather.

The current plan is to keep an eye on it and hope it doesn't get worse before we can get to Nac next winter. If it does, we'll probably end making an emergency trip to get it fixed. Anyone else had this happen to their coach?

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #1 – December 16, 2020, 10:53:26 pm

Quote from: Elliott – December 16, 2020, 10:35:06 pm

Anyone else had this happen to their coach?

I don't recall seeing that exact problem before. The longer timers with more experience may chime in.

You know, to me that roof surface in your photo does not look like gel coat. It has a kinda textured look...more like a coating has been applied to the original roof surface. If that was the case, then what you are seeing would make more sense. Simply a place where the coating has bubbled up due to poor prep before application.

I'm just armchair guessing here, so don't put too much stock in my comments.

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #2 – December 16, 2020, 10:58:05 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – December 16, 2020, 10:53:26 pm

You know, to me that roof surface in your photo does not look like gel coat. It has a kinda textured look...more like a coating has been applied to the original roof surface. If that was the case, then what you are seeing would make more sense. Simply a place where the coating has bubbled up due to poor prep before application.

I'm just armchair guessing here, so don't put too much stock in my comments.

I hope you're wrong because I just ordered a couple hundred dollars worth of Meguiar's gel coat product and tools

Keith told me I have serious oxidation I need to take care of up there so I think that's what you're seeing

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #3 – December 16, 2020, 11:06:48 pm

I tried to find a photo of our (original gel coat) roof showing the surface texture, or rather lack of texture. These are the best ones I could find find right now. Our roof is perfectly smooth to the touch and doesn't have any little "bumps" like in your photo.

But like I said, I could be completely wrong.

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #4 – December 16, 2020, 11:10:25 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – December 16, 2020, 11:06:48 pm

I tried to find a photo of our (original gel coat) roof showing the surface texture, or rather lack of texture. This is the best one I find find right now. Our roof is perfectly smooth to the touch and doesn't have any little "bumps" like in your photo.

Hmmm yes, that's very clearly different. I've read here on the forum of Extreme and FOT doing roof coatings with added texture for grip. I wonder if that's what I have? Thanks for bringing this up... I need to dig more before I start going to town on it.

EDIT: then again, I still have that original black traction/grip pad near the ladder...so that makes me think it's original...or at least very old before it was realized those pads were an issue.

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #5 – December 16, 2020, 11:18:31 pm

Added another photo to post above, taken right after I cleaned up our roof. Roof is dry in second photo - not wet.

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #6 – December 16, 2020, 11:22:19 pm

The coating Xtreme sprays on is fairly smooth with a slight sandpaper grit in it, it stops where the roof transitions to the curb on the sides. It is not thick or rubbery

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #7 – December 16, 2020, 11:27:12 pm

The black pads need to go. The excess heat cracked my roof surface in the coated section. Appeared to be surface cracks/crazing. My roof is fiberglass and I understand quite thick, heavy. I too am concerned seeing your bulge in roof. Can't imagine fiberglass doing that. A overlayment would explain it better to me. Is it firm or pliable? Too bad you couldn't get resolved while you were there prior. Really curious to your outcome.
Scott

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #8 – December 16, 2020, 11:33:25 pm

Quote from: dsd – December 16, 2020, 11:27:12 pm

A overlayment would explain it better to me. Is it firm or pliable?

The bubble itself is pliable, but when you push it down, you hit a firm roof.

What's perplexing to me is that there is a corresponding area in the living room ceiling where it separated just slightly and you can see it in the leather ceiling. Maybe coincidence? Maybe not. I've been nervous about pulling the leather down to take a peak at it but I may need to

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #9 – December 16, 2020, 11:53:17 pm

Jelcoat is hard like glass and breaks. Not pliable. Sounds like a overlayment of some type
Scott

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #10 – December 17, 2020, 04:21:34 am

The other thing that I am looking at is that metal strip that is screwed down running the length of the coach. I have neve seen that on a roof before. They did have something like that on the other side at one time as part of the awning mount but not on the drivers side. Could that be a hold down strip for an aftermarket rubber roof?

Mike

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #11 – December 17, 2020, 08:05:28 am

Quote from: Elliott – December 16, 2020, 10:35:06 pm

So, after further inspection and chatting with Keith after sending him some pictures, we don't think it's a leak, thank God. It sounds like what has actually happened is the fiberglass as separated from the aluminum beam that's directly beneath the bubble (see attached pic).

I tightened down the AC unit from inside and that did help a little bit but it sounds like the long term fix will be to take it to Nac and have someone drill holes into the bubble, shoot adhesive in there, and then put a big heavy weight on it while it sticks back to the beam. I'm going to hop up there tomorrow mid-day to see if it goes away in warmer weather.

The current plan is to keep an eye on it and hope it doesn't get worse before we can get to Nac next winter. If it does, we'll probably end making an emergency trip to get it fixed. Anyone else had this happen to their coach?

You might want to check with Eric Olstrom at Olstrom Custom Coach in Tucson about doing the repair. He works primarily on Country Coaches but I've seen several Fortravels there too. I would have thought MOT would have noticed that the roof looks different that most other Fortravels. Did the coach come with any records that shows work on the roof? Best wishes and positive thoughts to your wife and you - we are local in Phoenix if you need anything just shout.

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #12 – December 17, 2020, 08:35:07 am

The photos of that roof look more like a rubber coating to me than fiberglass. Doesn't look like any roof I have been on before installed on a Foretravel. Never saw a metal strip on the drivers side either! Our roof looks exactly like Chuck's! Smooth and clean!

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #13 – December 17, 2020, 08:43:35 am

I also think it looks like some sort of coating. The unusual metal strip was a good observation. Delamination of the fiberglass would not look so defined or narrow. It would be a bigger more gradual slight bulge that would feel a little soft when you push on it. If delamination occurred over the roof beam I would think it would be a foot wide or more, not a couple inches.

Does it originate from the corner of the AC? I can tell you from experience that any opening or screw penetrating the roof can be the source of water intrusion and ultimately gelcoat cracks or fiberglass delamination, all of which can be handled. If it is a coating of some sort, water could have entered from the AC opening corner and lifted in that area as it trys to make its way to the side. A leak would be the first priority and the cosmetics can be fixed at any point later.

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #14 – December 17, 2020, 10:15:40 am

Quote from: Elliott – December 16, 2020, 11:33:25 pm

The bubble itself is pliable, but when you push it down, you hit a firm roof.

I've been nervous about pulling the leather down to take a peak at it but I may need to

No you don't. If it's still there find the leak on the roof and repair it. Wear your baseball hat indoors or don't look up. The ceiling is fine as it is now.

When we first rain in our U225, I discovered a serious leak in the skylight. I caulked the leak and it's about time to redo the skylight. This time I'll pull down the ceiling stuff and fix it.

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #15 – December 17, 2020, 10:16:38 am

You guys are giving me lots of good questions to ask and things to think about. First things first, I need to figure out exactly what sort of roof I have I guess. The couple things that I DO know are:

It still has that black traction pad by the ladder. And it looks very old and weathered. So this isn't a recently done job...it makes me think it's original or an attempt at looking original at the very least

It is not just a rubber roof. If that is indeed a TPO or EPDM membrane, it's been applied over some other material such as fiberglass that's able to flex up and cause that bubble. Even then, I think it's too thin to be a membrane. Unfortunately, I'm pretty familiar with TPO/EDPM roofs because I'm having a new one put on our trailer right now

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I'm going to inspect that metal rail that you guys pointed out, because I have no idea what that is. I'm also going to hit a corner of the roof with a scrubby pad and some oxidation remover and see what happens. Is it possible that it's just THAT oxidized that it looks like a coating?

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #16 – December 17, 2020, 10:24:02 am

Can you post some more pics. of different areas of the roof?
In this pic. it even looks like there are pone nots popping up, the only time I have seen this on a fiberglass roof section is from a lightning strike that vaporized some moisture in the glass causing bubbles. if that is some kind of coating then it could be from anything that got in there during the coating process.

Mike

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #17 – December 17, 2020, 10:37:19 am

When I was on my roof cleaning the Arkansas off of it I used my 4000 psi pressure washer to 90% remove the black anti skid near the ladder. That exposed the several small cracks/crazing that I sealed. Will eventually coat area with white wing walk compound. It had been stored then and now under cover. Thanks to the forum to bringing to my attention before more damage was done.
Scott

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #18 – December 17, 2020, 10:57:43 am

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – December 17, 2020, 10:24:02 am

Can you post some more pics. of different areas of the roof?

Here are all the ones I took last night. I can snap more later today if there's more you guys want to see.

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #19 – December 17, 2020, 11:07:14 am

Elliott,

Those pics. help for sure. It appears that rail in your first pic. is where the window awning is attached and can be seen in the #327 pic more clear. In both pics. 326 & 327 it looks like those pone nots are the full length of the coach. I have never seen one like that but it could be oxidation magnifying the spots.

Mike

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #20 – December 17, 2020, 11:10:36 am

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – December 17, 2020, 11:07:14 am

...pone nots...

What are "pone nots"?

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #21 – December 17, 2020, 11:12:22 am

So the position of the sun makes this look much bigger than it actually is, not saying there isnt something, just that it's not As big as it appears. Looks 3/4 of a inch tall but now guessing 1/8 of a inch? This could be something easily overseen with sun overhead or area in shade?
Scott

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #22 – December 17, 2020, 11:13:19 am

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – December 17, 2020, 11:10:36 am

What are "pone nots"?

In east Texas if you hit your head on the hood of a car as you are under there it gives you a '"pone not" I guess it could be spelled "knot" but we are from the back woods.

Mike

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #23 – December 17, 2020, 11:15:00 am

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – December 17, 2020, 11:07:14 am

it looks like those pone nots are the full length of the coach.

Mike, what are pone nots?

EDIT: someone asked the question before me but I'll leave this comment here because apparently another one of the photos I tried to upload finally went through unbeknownst to me

Re: Potential roof issue? (split from Re: U320 for Dummies)

Reply #24 – December 17, 2020, 11:21:15 am

I think Scott may have something in the angle of the sun magnifying the bumps and the wrinkle at the A/C. That wrinkle will need to be addressed before it cracks out.

Mike

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