Water Heater Seal

[Ditter]

I have removed the old water heater from my 1994- 30’ classic.
Ready to install combination electric/ gas model.
My problem is the gray flat seal tape between outside of trailer and flange of water heater.

Mounting screws are inserted through the water heater bracket through the sealer tape and into trailer. The sealer was damaged during removal process and needs to be replaced.
Tape is gray, sticky but pliable and approximately 1” wide.
Dose any body know what this seal tape is made off?
Where can I purchase?

[Becky B.]

Your local hardware store should have it in the plumbing section. It's called butyl tape. Otherwise, you can order it online at Vintage Trailer Supply:

Butyl RV Putty Tape

[ventport]

Or just lay down a bead of Vulkem.

[Ditter]

OK thanks allot. I read not to use silicon, so that answers my question. butyl!

[perryg114]

I 2cnd the Vulkem. That perma gum tape will dry out and crack over time. That tape is why so many SOB trailers leak like a sieve. It works if it is always under compression but it flows so it does not stay under compression for long.

Perry

[lewster]

Originally Posted by perryg114

I 2cnd the Vulkem. That perma gum tape will dry out and crack over time. That tape is why so many SOB trailers leak like a sieve. It works if it is always under compression but it flows so it does not stay under compression for long.

Perry

Sorry for you Vulkem fans, but that IS NOT the preferred sealant, as specified by both RV water heater manufacturers; Atwood and Suburban. You should not permanently seal that unit to your sidewall with a polyurethane adhesive, just in case you have to remove it at some point down the road.

And proper use of butyl tape will not leak and IT DOES NOT DRY OUT OR CRACK. Putty tape does, but butyl tape does not. I have replaced water heaters on lots of older units, and the butyl tape seal was as good as when it was installed.

Do it right, do it once and use the proper materials, not some home grown remedy.

[perryg114]

Why is Vulkem permanant? It is a low modulus adhesive so it should not require much more to remove than the tape. Low modulus means it does not take much force to pull it apart. It is a sealant not an adhesive. RTV is more of an adhesive and I have had trouble removing it on occasion.

Perry