An RV without a roof vent is hardly an RV at all—it’s more
like a box. With proper ventilation, however, it’s more than that: it’s a
shelter. It’s a home. But since the vent cover is going to take the licks, it
will occasionally need maintenance. Here are some tips for RV roof vent
cover replacement to make your life a heck of a lot easier.
Diagnosis: When to
Replace Your Vent Cover
While it’s all well and good to replace old parts, you
should really spare the time, energy, and money if you don’t really need it.
That means a little bit of proper diagnosis can go a long way to saving you the
extra labor. Here’s what to look for when deciding if it’s time to replace your
vent cover:
- Look at
the lids. When you inspect your RV roof, don’t forget to check out your vent
cover lids. These lids are a good indication for how old and weathered your
vent cover is getting. While good durable lids can last a long time, that’s no
guarantee that they’re going to be permanent, either. - Watch for
leaks. When water comes through the vent cover, that’s about as sure a sign
as you’re going to get. It’s definitely time to repair or replace. - Sun
damage. Water damage is a clear sign that your vent cover needs help, but
you have to get up to the roof for inspection to look for the brittleness
associated with sun damage, too.
Match Your Vent Cover
Properly
Not sure which cover to purchase? You have a few options
here. Either you can figure out the exact measurements of your old cover—taking
special care to understand the hinge arrangement—or you can take the old one
with you when you go to make a new purchase. Either way should work, but the
latter can save you more time and energy.
Steps For Proper RV
Roof Vent Cover Replacement
With the new cover secured, get out the proper tools for the
job. This will involve removing old casing so you can install the new cover, so
use a power drill or even manual screwdrivers with the proper heads if you have
them.
As you disassemble, make sure to keep everything handy,
because you’re going to need those parts again when you reconstruct the vent.
Remove the old vent and slide the new one into place—if you
took the proper precautions earlier on, you should have no problem here. Secure
in the screws and parts as needed so that your vent cover looks very much like
the old one—except in working order.
Want to make it even easier? Then remember: these types of
repair and replacement jobs will go off without a hitch so long as you have the
right parts and RV sealant products
to keep your roof in its best shape!
