When you’re inside a home, you take the shelter for granted.
You’re sealed from the rain and not worried about it. That’s not always the
case in an RV. When there’s a leak or a problem with a seal—such as the slide
out seal—you’ll know about it. Repairing these seals is vital if you want to
keep your RV in the best possible condition. But what are the proper steps? Here’s
a simple RV slide out seal replacement guide!
Ditching The Old Seal
When you’ve inspected your slide out seal and concluded that
replacement is the best way forward, it can sometimes be tricky to get out. Old
glue or adhesive can be in the way, as can Styrofoam and screws. It’s important
to thoroughly inspect the area. The slide out seal can be in an awkward area of
the RV, so use a flashlight to inspect everything—even if it’s daytime. You
want to know what you’re working with before you move forward.
If you can, avoid damaging the old seal. You’ll still need
it to get a sense of how large the new
seal will have to be once installed. If you’re able to lay out the seal without
any problems, you can use it as a reference for cutting out the new slide out
seal with precision. This will make it easy to measure the next seal and
install it with relatively few problems.
A word of warning: measure twice, cut once. Make sure that
your old seal is not only intact, but hasn’t warped at all, as this warping can
throw off the measurement and potentially cause more trouble as you replace the
seal.
Adding Your New Slide
Out Seal
After you’ve cut your new slide out seal for precision
placement in the RV, make sure that the area is cleared out and properly dried.
This will help ensure the proper adhesion of the seal once you apply it.
What sealant should you use to adhere the new slide out seal
to the RV? Silicone is one of your best bets here. You can try Life
Seal® Silicone/Polyurethane Sealant. This is easy to apply and cures
consistently. The non-corrosive, non-yellowing formula is especially RV-friendly.
This is also the time to be aware of any additions you might
want to make, such as little patches of insulation for preventing cold air and
hot air from moving easily in and out of your RV. Once you’ve allowed the time
for a proper cure—preferably in a well-ventilated, dry place—then you have a
replaced slide out seal and you’re ready for the road again!
Stock Up On RV Sealing
Products
Want more ways to ensure that your RV is properly sealed
from the outdoors? Then it’s time to make sure that you have everything you
need to create consistent, durable seals. Browse all of the RV sealing products available
here at RV by LIFE to keep your RV in the best shape possible.
