EPDM roof and solar panels

[jon_d]

Don't pop them.

Any water ingress damage will not be covered. Even though it's a bubble, it's still watertight.

[Vik351]

So I must have missed something. Have you bought another Esperance? Those bubbles look like they follow a join in the underlying ply. Maybe they have been caused by movement in the ply. Certainly go and have it inspected. The odd bubble in my 16 year old roof does not follow a uniform pattern like that. But I would not pop them. Leave the epdm intact.

Yea Craig, traded the old girl in on a newie, but I reckon the old roof was in better nick...

Will get it sorted... Cant keep Dots T.B. waiting to do the solar...!!!

vik...

[T1 Terry]

As the problem only appear from the front hatch forward and there is glue patches on the outside surface of rubber roof on the left hand area beside the front hatch, my guess is they had had problems with the roof forward of the hatch and have had to pull up the rubber roof in that area to fix it. The second attempt at laying the roof hasn't gone well and now the air has been trapped under the rubber membrane and the very hot days has caused the air bubbles to expand, the roof membrane is stretched in those spots. Even worse, it could have been moisture trapped in these spots and it was stream that caused the bubbles, no idea if they will be able to shrink the membrane in those spots to get it to sit flat again.
the raised frame work would be the better choice for the panel installation because it follows the Avida recommended method and only punctures the membrane on the side rails where it is strong enough to carry the load without flexing and stretching the membrane. This method also minimises the work required to remove the solar if further roof work is required and removes any excuse Avida could use to get out of fixing any future problems.

T1 Terry

[Vik351]

As the problem only appear from the front hatch forward and there is glue patches on the outside surface of rubber roof on the left hand area beside the front hatch, my guess is they had had problems with the roof forward of the hatch and have had to pull up the rubber roof in that area to fix it. The second attempt at laying the roof hasn't gone well and now the air has been trapped under the rubber membrane and the very hot days has caused the air bubbles to expand, the roof membrane is stretched in those spots. Even worse, it could have been moisture trapped in these spots and it was stream that caused the bubbles, no idea if they will be able to shrink the membrane in those spots to get it to sit flat again.
the raised frame work would be the better choice for the panel installation because it follows the Avida recommended method and only punctures the membrane on the side rails where it is strong enough to carry the load without flexing and stretching the membrane. This method also minimises the work required to remove the solar if further roof work is required and removes any excuse Avida could use to get out of fixing any future problems.

T1 Terry

So when do we start then ...???
I have to get the table replaced and one is on order, so when that gets done ,I will get them on the roof for a documented report and go from there...
Plenty of shade and good air gap this way too...

vik... such is lyfe...

[T1 Terry]

Let us know when you have it sorted and we can arrange a start date

T1 Terry

[cruiserxxx]

You guys seem to be having issues with your EPDM roof ...I have had no issues except a tree branch tearing it in 2012. see photo under / edge of one of panels....I got some vynal that the rubber shop reckoned had a 15 year exterior life and covered it in sikaflex to stick it on and its still good 6 years later.
Also attached photos the way I attach the panels ...seems fine to date.
Maybe if you are a charging someone to install solar it would not be a option.

[Vik351]

You guys seem to be having issues with your EPDM roof ...I have had no issues except a tree branch tearing it in 2012. see photo under / edge of one of panels....I got some vynal that the rubber shop reckoned had a 15 year exterior life and covered it in sikaflex to stick it on and its still good 6 years later.
Also attached photos the way I attach the panels ...seems fine to date.
Maybe if you are a charging someone to install solar it would not be a option.

Thanks for that...

We might be being a wee bit precious...???

Well high noon tumorra and all will be another story, it's booked in for the roof inspection...

Seems to me this rubber crap is more trouble than what it's worth...??? whats wrong with just fiber glass like the Explorers...??? No seams mate, seems a good idea ""The Discovery is the first 6 wheeler 4WD in Australia with a one piece fibreglass body."" (from their ad...)

Must cost five bob more or something for my mob not to do it...

vik...

[T1 Terry]

I reckon it's the chance to sell a new roof skin later in life combined with an attempt to reduce weight rather than redesign the whole build to make it lighter. The full fibreglass bodies and roof are so much easier to work with, pity it's not a standard throughout the whole industry.

T1 Terry

[Craig]

There are several products specifically designed to repair damaged epdm roofs. Eternabond tape and dicor also do a similar product. That way you will never have any issues with the sikaflex damaging and lifting the epdm. There is a sikaflex that is designed to suit epdm but I don't know how it performs. I think I would rather use eternabond.

[T1 Terry]

There are several products specifically designed to repair damaged epdm roofs. Eternabond tape and dicor also do a similar product. That way you will never have any issues with the sikaflex damaging and lifting the epdm. There is a sikaflex that is designed to suit epdm but I don't know how it performs. I think I would rather use eternabond.

Thankyou for that info Craig, it would be worthwhile for every one who has a vehicle with this type roof to carry some repair tape just in case. The Dicor is just a sealing putty isn't it? I seem to remember peeling it off, working it like Blu-Tak and reusing it where needed. No harm in carrying a spare tube of that as well I guess so you have it on hand.

T1 Terry