How to Deal with RV Roof Leaks

There you are, minding your own business, relaxing with your family in the comfort of your motorhome, listening to the soothing sound of the rain falling outside. Then it happens – drip, drip, drip. The dreaded sound of water inside your safe haven, right where it’s not supposed to be. RV roof leaks are no fun, but you don’t need to panic. Unless something has fallen on top of your motorhome and created a gaping hole, it’s likely that you can deal with the situation yourself. The most important thing is that you don’t put off doing something about the problem, as this is sure to lead to much more expensive repairs than a simple roof patch.

Finding RV Roof Leaks

Locating the source of the issue is typically the most difficult part of the task. It’s important to understand that in a motorhome, water from a leak often travels throughout the area between the roof and the interior ceiling before finally dripping down into the room. This means that wherever the water is dripping on inside of the rig may very well not be the place from which it’s actually originating.

You have a couple of options when it comes to finding the source. You can take your RV to a shop that deals with repairs and pay them to smoke the rig out. This involves the professional blocking off all possible exits such as vents and pipes, and filling the unit up with smoke to see where it’s escaping out of the roof.

Or, if you’re so inclined, you can attempt to perform a pressure test yourself. Making this method work involves creating enough air pressure, possibly through the use of fans, to create a pressure differential between the outside and the inside of the rig (of course blocking all vents and drains first). You then apply bubble solution to the suspect areas of the roof, such as seams and protrusions like skylights and vents, and see if any bubbles form.

The important thing to remember if you’re doing the leak test yourself is not to create so much internal pressure that you cause damage to the RV, although this is unlikely when using air sources found around the house. It’s a good idea to either cobble together a makeshift manometer, or use a real one, in order to monitor the pressure differential between the inside and outside atmospheres.

Fixing RV Roof Leaks

Once you’ve determined the location of your RV roof leaks, you’ll want to thoroughly clean the areas, and cut or scrape away any damaged caulking or liquid roof patching material. Next you can apply a repair product like EternaBond tape, or in the case of a tear or thin area in your roof’s rubber membrane, patch the area with a product like Liquid Roof.

Fixing leaks in your motorhome’s roof can be a project, but with a little persistence and some good luck, you can get the problem under control and prevent any extensive interior damage to your ride.

Maintaining Your RV Coatings

If you have taken the steps to get an RV coating, then you are in a very good position to make sure that your RV roof lasts a long time. These coatings, when cared for the right way, have the potential to last for decades. Of course, this means you actually do have to take care of them and not neglect them. Don’t worry; you will find that it’s actually very easy to keep your roof in tiptop shape. Let’s look at some of the basic things you need to do for your roof now that it has the RV coating.

Remove the Debris

First, make sure that you don’t let debris accumulate on the roof. If you keep the RV parked for a large part of the year, you might not even realize that you have a lot of leaves, twigs, and who knows what else building up on the roof. You don’t see it and you don’t notice it. When it rains, it gets wet and nasty, and it can end up being difficult to clean if you don’t keep up with it. In addition, you might find that resin and sap have accumulated on your vehicle’s roof if you are parked under or near a tree. This can be a pain to remove as well.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to make sure that you check for debris every couple of weeks when you keep an RV parked and it is not in use. In addition, be mindful of just where you are parking. If you park close to low hanging branches, they could actually hit and harm your roof during a storm.

Those who live in areas that get lots of snow understand just how important it is to make sure that they remove the snow from the roof of their house so it doesn’t cause damage. However, they will often forget to remove the snow from their RV roof. While the RV coatings can withstand the freezing temperatures without a problem, you still have to think about the weight. The weight of the snow could actually cause damage to the roof.

So, clean away the debris and the snow, and keep the surface of the roof clean. Once a year, you can use some soap and a sponge to remove the grime and grit on the roof. Doing this will also give you a chance to get a closer look at the roof to look for any damage. The RV coatings should reduce the chance for damage, but you will still want to keep an eye on your roof to be sure.

What Not to Do

There are also some things that you should not do with your roof. Namely, you do not want to use abrasives or stiff-bristled brushes on the RV coatings, as this can damage the rubber. Don’t use wax or products that contain oil on the roof either, as they could cause the rubber to swell.

Keep an eye on your roof, and it should last for decades.

Liquid Roof Repair for Your RV

If you own an RV, you want to make sure it is in good shape. That means quite a few things, actually. You need to be sure it runs correctly, and you need to be sure that it provides you with the shelter you need. If you have leaks, then you have a problem, and you need to fix it sooner rather than later. In order to fix the issues, you might want to consider getting a product such as Liquid Roof for the repair to the RV, as it can make your leaks a thing of the past.

How Does It Work?

The Liquid Roof repair actually works similarly to many of the other types of sealants out there. However, the product is far more efficient and long lasting than the sealants of the past. This type of EPDM coating is able to withstand temperature extremes, and it can deal with all manner of weather while still providing that necessary protective layer to your RV.

It goes on similarly to paint. In fact, you will be using the same materials – a roller and a brush – to apply it to your roof. You will first clean off the roof thoroughly to make sure there is no grit or debris on it, and then you will use the roller to coat the larger areas. Then, you will use the brush to get into any crevices or cracks, and to get around the sides of vents and the like. It is for the finer details of applying the coating.

Once you have it applied, you then need to wait for the Liquid Roof repair product to dry and cure. Once it does so, you will find that it is highly durable. The product has the potential to last for decades as long as you applied it correctly. This doesn’t give you the excuse to ignore checking and maintaining your roof though. You should still check once in a while (at least two times per year) to see if there are any issues.

Most of the time, you will not find problems with the Liquid Roof repair material. In fact, these types of products can last for a couple of decades without any issue. This is as long or longer than many people even own their RV.

It Is Cost Effective

Another one of the benefits of the product is that it is cost effective. Even though it might cost more than some of the other sealants now, Liquid Roof repair is the way to go since you will only need to apply it one time. Compare that to other types of sealants that you will have to reapply ever year or two. It is easy to see which option is the best when it comes to overall affordability over the life of your RV.

If you want to make sure your RV stays in great shape for as long as you own it, make sure that you choose Liquid Roof repair.

RV Roof Repair and Maintenance Tips

Owning an RV is fantastic. You get to take it out camping so you can “rough it” in style, not to mention comfort, and it is a much better investment than continually wasting money on hotels every time you travel. However, if you want to keep your RV in great shape, it needs to have proper maintenance, and RV roof repair is a huge part of that. You will be able to do many repair jobs as well as the maintenance on your own. However, if there is a job or a problem that is too much for you to handle on your own, be sure to get some help from the professionals instead.

Let’s look closer at RV roof repair to get a better idea of just what types of things you will want to expect and the things you can do to keep your roof in good shape.

RV

Snow Removal

If you live in an environment that gets a lot of snow, then you probably already know how important it is to keep those heavy loads off the roof of your house. Unless you have a spot where your RV is under cover and out of the snow, you also have to remember to keep the snow off your RV’s roof. If you don’t, a heavy snow could actually collapse your roof, and then you will have to deal with all of water damage, as well as replacing the roof.

It’s easy to keep the snow off your RV. All you need is a latter and a push broom or a plastic shovel. Just push the snow off the roof after the snowstorm. Just remember to use a plastic shovel rather than a metal shovel. If you use metal, you could actually damage the roof and cause a leak that will be expensive to repair.

Check the Vents and the Ducts

Over time, even the best RVs will have ducts and vents that get old, out of shape, or even broken. When you inspect your RV, which you should do at least twice per year, check the condition of these parts and pieces. If there is any wear and tear, your best option is to perform the RV roof repair needed and replace them now rather than to wait for them to fail entirely. When you buy your replacement parts, make sure that they are going to fit on your RV’s make and model.

Dealing With Water Damage

Preventative measures are the best way to deal with water damage. By adding a liquid sealant to the roof before you notice any leaks or issues, you can prolong the life of the roof and avoid water damage at all. However, if you already have a leak, preventative maintenance is out of the question. In those cases, you will want to find the source of the leak, determine how bad it is, and make repairs. Using a sealant, such as Liquid Roof, can stop those leaks and provide your roof with the added protection it needs.

With these simple tips for RV roof repair and maintenance, you can keep your RV in shape for a long time.

How Roof Coatings Works for RV Roof

While we put a lot of thought and consideration into what we choose to coat the roofs of our homes with, we don’t always give this same consideration to our RV’s. So why don’t we? Our RV’s often take much of the same environmental beating as our homes: wind, rain, hail, snow, ice, frost, falling debris, humidity, drastic changes in temperatures, sun exposure, and more. So with all of that said it’s actually quite important to be aware of the different roof sealant available.

In this story we’ll take a look at the important things to consider with your roof coating for your RV, so that you can be sure to pick the best material for your needs, and climate.

Where Will You Use your RV?

One of the first questions you should ask yourself is where you plan on using your RV? Will you be driving across country in it, or sticking to more local places? In the same regard, where do you plan on parking it? Often RV parks are filled with trees, bushes, and shrubs. Although these are beautiful, parking under them can cause damage to your roof. You could end up with a puncture or tear. If you plan on spending time in parks with trees, you may want to consider a durable roofing option such as EPDM, which is a heavy-duty synthetic rubber roofing membrane.

What are the Climate Conditions?

Another important thing to consider is what kind of climate conditions you’ll be dealing with. Do you experience four seasons where you are, do you tend to have warm humid days all year round, or maybe you live in a very dry and hot environment. Depending on what the climate is, some RV roof sealants will be better and more durable than others.

The Aesthetics of the RV

Of course the aesthetics of your RV should also be a consideration. Maybe you don’t want the roof to be the first thing people notice. If that’s the case EPDM is again a great option because it comes in so many different neutral colors. Common colors include beige, white, various shades of soft greys, and soft blue. These colors tend to blend with the RV so they don’t pop and become the central focus.

The Lifespan and Durability of the Roof

Lifespan and durability should be a huge consideration for consumers. It can mean the difference between a roof that lasts 10 years, to one that lasts 20 years with the help of RV roof repair. Some roofing options are just more durable and resilient than others. You’ll want to have all of this information at your fingertips so you can make an informed decision.

The Cost Factor

And let’s not forget the issue of cost. For many people cost is usually the first priority, and choosing an option that is cost-friendly is key.