Picture this: you are enjoying
another lovely evening in your RV, playing a game of cards with some friends or
family. There is music going, there’s laughter in the air, and everyone seems
to be having a great time. It’s raining outside, but you are not worried about
that because you are having so much fun inside.
Then you feel a drip on your face.
And another…
…then another.
That is when it hits you: you have
not been taking care of your RV roof like you should have. But don’t fret:
repairing many RV roof leaks can be easier than you think—and once you get on
top of your game, maintenance is even easier.
Your Routine: How Often to
Check Your Roof
The old adage that “an ounce of
prevention is worth a pound of cure” applies here. If you do not want to find
yourself in the situation described above, then you should make an annual
routine of checking your RV roof for holes and leaks.
How often should you inspect your
roof? It is not necessary to check it all the time. Some RV owners recommend
just once per year. We recommend that you consult your individual RV manual to
see if they have any recommendations, as some roof materials will be more
susceptible to leaks than others will. “Better safe than sorry” is the name of
the game.
You should also inspect your RV roof
as needed—for example, if you run into a tree branch and feel the roof
being scratched. Even if your roof has not opened up a leak, it is important to
inspect it once you’re safely home.
Quick
Sealing for Roof Leaks
Caution: Be very wary on the RV roof, making sure you have proper
footing and balance with each step.
Once you have discovered a leak, you
will generally want to wait until the weather is clear (set up a temporary rig
or something to collect the leaking water in the meantime). Why clear weather?
Because you will need a clean, dry area on your roof—you cannot very well get
to roof repair while it’s still raining outside.
First, you will need to clean the
area with the appropriate roof cleaner. Find one that suits the material your roof is
made out of. Then rinse and dry the area. Make sure you wait a while to ensure
full dryness—it will make the rest of the process much easier.
Picking
the Right Sealant
Don some protective clothing and
gloves. Now it is time to apply the appropriate roof leak coverage (such as a
fiberglass repair kit, depending on your roof) and, usually, use a sealant. The
important tip here is: use the tools to fit the leak and RV roof material.
Sometimes, a sealant may be all that is required. You can pick sealants out
here at RVbyLIFE, including:
- Life-Calk® Polysulfide Sealant Cartridge –
Can be applied to damp surfaces. - Silicone Rubber Sealant Cartridge – Will not
actively corrode metal.
Whichever you use, be sure to check
the list of appropriate surfaces it can apply to before applying to your RV
roof, just as you’d match the tools like a fiberglass repair kit to the
appropriate materials.
It may be a little difficult to
figure out roof sealant on your first try. Consult your RV manual for more
advice, since it will have advice specific to your own situation. Nevertheless,
it is not so difficult if you match the tools and repairs to the material from
which your RV roof was made. Once you have the right equipment, it is a simple
matter of applying the tried-and-true steps. Now go enjoy that next day under
the rain in peace.
