Review and Installation of EternaBond Roof and Leak Repair Tape

During a camp out on Mt. Graham four months ago, we were exposed to a pretty intense monsoon in the middle of the night. I had inspected the roof of the camper during the spring and all looked well, but the triple-digit heat of the summer had done its work. During the storm, the Fantastic Vent started to leak rather badly. Instead of using Dicor lap sealant again to fix the leak, I decided it was time to try another product I had heard much about, yet had never tried--EternaBond Roof and Leak Repair Tape.

EternaBond Tape has been around for years. It's the only micro sealant tape touted to stop any leak or water proof any roof surface. UV resistant, the tape comes in four colors--tan, gray, black, and white--and can be purchased in various lengths and widths, including two, four, and six inches. For my RV's roof, I opted for the four-inch wide tape which provided me with just the right amount of coverage for all flanges and seams. If you're interested in buying this tape on Amazon.com look for EternaBond RSW-4-50 White Roof Seal. At $60 a roll the tape is expensive, but it lasts a long time after it's installed. How long, you ask? The company's website says it will hold up on your roof anywhere between 18-36 years. That's pretty impressive and makes the cost for purchasing the tape well worth it, especially when you consider how often lap sealant needs to be replaced in extreme climates.

Installing the tape takes only a few minutes, but first you must ensure the surface where you're applying the tape is entirely clean or the tape won't properly adhere. Don't skip this critical step or your time and effort will be wasted. The company offers a reasonably priced spray cleaner called EternaClean that can safely be used on EPDM and TPO rubber roofs though regular, non-petroleum based cleaners work well, too. To apply the tape, you'll need a roof cleaner, a few rags, a sharp pair of scissors, and a small roller. Some folks like to use box cutters to cut the tape, but I don't recommend it. Common sense applies here. A drop or accidental slip of the cutter and you've sliced open your rubber roof. It's best to be safe than sorry and use traditional scissors instead. Just make sure that they're sharp. Because of the multiple layers, EternaBond tape is thick and can be difficult to cut.

The leaking vent before applying the EternaBond Tape.

As you might expect, EternaBond Tape is very sticky. Indeed, the tape is so sticky that you only have one chance to put it down. It's best to cut the tape to length, then remove the release liner as you apply it. Be careful with this stuff. The first time I used it I ended up wasting a couple feet after the tape bunched up on me. Lesson learned. If you're using this tape to seal old seams or vents, don't bother removing the old sealant. This stuff is meant to cover it (silicone is the one exception, EternaBond won't stick to it so it will need to be removed). After the tape is applied, use the roller and your fingers to seal the tape to the surface, paying particular attention to any nooks or crannies. The directions that came with my tape recommended that the front areas where the tape is applied be sealed with Dicor. This isn't mandatory, but it is a good idea to ensure high speed winds and rain don't take hold of the front edge and peel it back.

Sealing the tape is best done using a small roller.

The finished job. Looks great and the leaks are gone!

Besides vents and other openings on your roof, what else can the tape be used for? Well, you can use it to seal cuts or tears in your TPO or EPDM roof and reseal the main seams of your roof to prevent leaks. In emergencies, it can also be used to seal leaking drain pipes and cracked rooftop fixtures like air conditioning shrouds and vent covers. It's that sticky and works that well. In fact, this tape works so well that I keep a small roll of it in my RV repair kit for emergencies. Because the tape bonds so well, the question is often asked how to remove old tape or tape that was improperly applied. According to the company's website, all you need is a heat gun or hair dryer to create enough heat to peel off the old tape.

When it comes to the maintenance of your RV, water leaks are, without a doubt, the greatest threat. Left unchecked, leaks will rot the interior of your RV and cause black mold. This is why it's important to conduct periodic inspections topside, paying particular attention to the condition of the roof membrane and to the condition of any sealants used on vents, skylights, and other fixtures. If you find anything amiss, I recommend that you give this tape a try. Sure, it's spendy, but we're talking about your RV here. If you're like me you've invested a healthy sum in your RV so you should do all you can to protect it. I learned long ago that you get what you pay for. No other product works as well or lasts as long as EternaBond Leak and Roof Repair Tape.