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How Much To Replace Rubber Roof On Rv

Can I Repair Instead Of Replace

RV How To Replacing your RV’s Rubber Roof Summary

After looking at the prices or the time investment of replacing an RV roof, you might have cause for hesitancy. You might be asking can I repair the roof instead of replacing it?

In some cases, yes, you can repair the roof instead of replacing it. Here is a list of considerations in making the decision to repair instead of replacing the roof.

  • Amount of damage
  • Time until upgrading the RV
  • Cost of materials plus time
  • Level of confidence in your handyman skills
  • The waiting list for roof replacement

LazeDaze has a list of the processes and materials involved in repairing a rubber or fiberglass roof. Here is the link.

What Is The Best Rubber Roof Coating For Rv

  • Proguard Liquid Roof RV Roof Sealant.
  • Flex Seal Liquid Rubber in a Can.
  • EternaBond RoofSeal Sealant Tape.
  • Dicor Rubber Roof Acrylic Coating.
  • Sashco Through The Roof Sealant.

The RV rubber roof is made from a layer of polymer on top of conventional asphalt. The good thing about this type of surface is that it wont crack or peel off, which makes it perfect for harsh weather conditions and outdoor use. However, there are some disadvantages as well if not properly maintained then the underlying material will deteriorate over time causing leaks to appear in your home-away-from-home. Thats why we recommend using a high-quality water repellent with UV protection like Armor All Original Protectant Water Repellent Sunscreen SPF 30 to protect against moisture damage and prevent winterization issues before they happen!

How Much Does Replacing An Rv Roof Cost

  • Post last modified:August 20, 2020

We may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Do you want to know how much it costs to replace a roof on an RV? Doing research ahead of time will help you prepare. Luckily for you, we have already done the research. Below we listed what we found about the cost of replacing an RV roof.

The cost of replacing an RV roof will be around $300-$325 per linear foot. If your RV is 36 feet long, it would cost between $7,000 and $12,000 to replace the roof of your RV.

As we told you in our article on RV roofing types, there are several types of RV roofing materials. Click here to read the article. Because of those differences, your price estimate will vary depending on the type of roof you choose to replace the old roof.

Still not convinced? Let us explain further.

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The Difference Between Coatings And Sealants

Just like a residential home, eventually, your RV roof will need a makeover. If your RV is 9+ years old and the roof has not been maintained as it should, it may be time to check into re-coating the entire roof. Coatings are generally a liquid used for covering the whole roof. Depending on whether the roof is rubber, fiberglass, or metal youll want to buy a coating that is appropriate for the RVs roof material.

Thoroughly clean the roof before applying any coating or sealants. There are numerous roof coatings to choose from on the internet. One that stood out was Hengs Rubber Roof Coating. Its recommended that two coats be applied on rubber roofs, ensuring the first coat is thoroughly dry before the application of a second coat.

If you use a silicone roof coating, only one coat is necessary. Urethan and acrylic types will require a couple of coats, including a primer.

An RV roof sealant can be used to coat the roof. However, many tend to be used for cracks or a particular area on the roof where you find a leak or wish to prevent one from occurring. A sealant comes in the form of liquid, tape, or caulk. It works by sealing up holes on the RV roof, cracks around vents, the a/c unit, window gaps, or the roofs edge. Wherever the sealant will be applied, ensure the area is cleaned before application for assurance that the sealant will adhere properly.

What Happens When You Dont Repair It

Installing a Rubber Roof on a Travel Trailer

Harm to RV roof will take a range of shapes. If you are a full-time RVer, if you are going out once every season, the RV roof may be affected regardless of where you go. Any damage to the RV roof, such as rot, leakage, and rust, can be caused by water damage. Water can reach your RV quickly and, in a short duration, cause several difficulties.

#This kind of damage to the RV roof will incur thousands of dollars in maintenance. Although others assume that this form of damage can be remedied quickly utilizing such sealants and swift repairs, water can go unnoticed. If the roof is broken, water will reach the roof and the ceiling, drop down the walls and even enter the electric outlets.

#Hail storms are infamous for creating irritating dents in the roof of RVs. Sections and branches are often parked in campgrounds from trees that land on the roof. Intensive heat and sunlight increase your RVs probability of delaminating the gel and painting work.

#Water penetration may do a great deal of harm to RVs as it could result in broad red and mold growth unchecked, sometimes total removal and costly replacement of material.

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Cost Of Resealing Rv Slide Out Roofs

When resealing the roof on your RVs slide out youll usually need to replace the entire rubber gasket around it , along with caulking everything as you normally would on your RVs roof.

Expect the materials for resealing the roof on an RV slide out to run an extra $50-100 if doing it yourself and between $250-300 if paying a professional to do it.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Roof On An Rv

On average, the costs to replace a roof on an RV is $300 per linear foot. This means that for replacing the entire roof of a 30 feet long RV you could pay $9000 .

The costs to replace a roof on an RV will vary considerably due to the different types of materials used. See the table below for more information*.

Type of RV roof Total costs for 255 square feet
EPDM

*The labour cost and additional costs are not included in the total cost

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How To Repair Or Replace Your Rv Roof

If you own an older RV of youve owned your camper for awhile, theres a good chance that youll need to replace the roof at least one time during its lifespan.

If you stay on top of repairs and maintenance, and fix any leaks quickly, you can minimize or postpone the need to replace the whole roof.

However, if there are multiple areas where the roof is damaged, or theres a single area with extensive damage that is compromising the rest of the roof, it may be time to replace it.

Does Roof Coating Stop Leaks

RV How To Replace your roof Episode 3 Installing the Rubber and Roof Equipment

Does roof coating stop leaks? Yes, a silicone flat roof coating will seal up and stop existing roof leaks and there is no need to locate and identify each leak. A roofing contractor that knows How to apply flat roof coating can cover the entire roof which will protect the entire roof while stopping leaks.

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Track Your Rv Maintenance And Repairs

Make sure you keep track of all your RV maintenance and repairs with an online tool such as Maintain My RV. Not only can you keep all of your documents in one place, but youll also receive timely reminders when maintenance is due to help you avoid costly repairs and potentially serious accidents.

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Do Rv Rubber Roofs Need To Be Sealed

Sometimes you dont need to just seal a roof, you need to repair it structurally. A great product for repairing your RV roof is EternaBond seam tape. This is the perfect product no matter what kind of roof you have. EternaBond seam tape comes in rolls 4 wide that you apply over any seams on your roof.

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What Is Rv Roof Resealing

Resealing your RVs roof consists of inspecting your roof for any tears, cracks or holes in the seams and patching them with sealant. This is super important in keeping your roof structurally sound. Cracks and dents in your roof can start small but quickly becomes a major problem, leaving you susceptible to leaks, water damage and more.

Resealing is a great investment in your RVs future as it will certainly help cut future maintenance and repair costs. It does so much to prevent more serious and expensive problems from developing.

If you want to save money and reseal your RVs roof yourself, there are a few things to consider before doing so.

What Is The Best Type Of Rv Roof

Rubber Roof: Rv Rubber Roof Kit

Its impossible to give a definitive answer to this question because it mostly comes down to personal preference. But for many RV owners, the ultimate deciding factor is affordability.

In general, RV roof materials dont drastically vary in price, but the cost of labor, additional materials, specialized coating, and the brand you choose can widen that gap.

The EPDM rubber membrane is the go-to choice for most RV owners, as its the easiest to install and can be done at home. However, some RV enthusiasts want the durability of aluminum and will accept any downsides of this choice.

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Can You Replace A Camper Roof Yourself

You can decide to do your camper roof replacement yourself. If youre handy and know what to do, it could save you thousands of dollars in labor costs. Knowing the type of roof is the first step.

Youll need the appropriate tools, like a razor knife, safety glasses, and acetone cleaner. Picking a quality sealant is also very important. Paying a professional to seal your roof could cost an additional $1,000-$2,000.

If you feel comfortable with your DIY skills, you can replace your camper roof yourself.

Pro Tip: Need to do a quick roof repair? These are 5 Simple RV Roof Repair Hacks.

Rv Rubber Roof Repair: How To Do It Effortlessly

by Alice Davis

RV rubber roofs are somewhat tricky to repair because all the other things inside RV recreational vehicles are easily accessible, whereas the roof is not.

You must have a ladder and make sure that your RV roof is strong enough to hold your weight, or you might tear it. You can use a light wooden or cardboard piece so that your weight is divided equally on the roof.

Before you go on the top of the RV rubber roof, make sure that you have a strong metal ladder and someone to hold you just in case you fall off. It is quite interesting to note that there are two kinds of RV rubber roofs.

Contents

RV Rubber Roof Repair: How to Do It Effortlessly?

One that sheds layers and is oxidized as a result of sunlight and rains. Other types of RV rubber roofs are not easily oxidized as they are aluminum coated.

If your roof is damaged and needs fixation, better do it now, or you would have to spend a lot of time and money on it. You must check your roof every three months and clear out all the accumulated dirt.

Also, keep repainting the patches where necessary. Giving the roof some time regularly and spending some money on the usual wear and tear and save from a large expense.

RV Rubber Roof Repair

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How Do You Maintain An Rv Rubber Roof

RV rubber roofs are relatively easy to maintain, and they require less upkeep than a regular roof. The most important thing you can do for your RV is keep it dry so that water doesnt get trapped under the rubber roofing material. This will prolong its life and protect against leaks or mold growth. To avoid getting caught in rainstorms while driving an RV, try to take shelter at rest stops when possible. When home, park on level ground with good drainage away from trees or bushes that could damage the campers structure during storms.

In addition you should regularly inspect your RV roof for wear and tear. Look for pooled water, cracks in the roof, or a change in color that may indicate mold contamination. You can also try to use an RV rubber sealant product such as RV Roof Seal which is typically available at your local hardware store.

If you do find areas of concern with your RVs rubber roofing, then it might be time to replace them so they dont deteriorate further and cause leaks on your camper floor. The cost of replacing an RV rubber roof varies depending on size and manufacturer but usually ranges between $500-800 dollars per unit spread over two pieces .

Whats The Easiest Way To Remove Eternabond Tape

Replace an RV Rubber Roof With Rexoseal

EternaBond tape is very difficult to remove, which is part of the reason its one of the best camper roof sealants.

You may need to remove it at some point and your best friend is going to be heat.

Heat makes the adhesive soft which loosens it and makes it possible to pull up. Combining heat with a razor to cut any stubborn strands that dont want to release makes EternaBond removal a lot easier.

One great way to soften it up is to let it sit out in the hot sun for a day and start removing the sealant tape in the evening. You can also use a heat gun or hairdryer to keep it hot.

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Once the tape part is removed there will be some gray adhesive leftover. If you will be reapplying Eternabond tape or even lap sealant to the area you just need to keep it clean and you can apply the new sealant over the top.

If you want it completely gone its going to take some work, especially if your RV has a soft rubber roof.

You dont want to scrape too hard and damage the soft roof membrane.

Keep the adhesive warm and loose while you scrape it away. Turpentine works pretty well on EternaBond adhesive and will help you get the stubborn leftovers off.

You may not be able to get 100% of the adhesive off but most of it should be removed at this point. Its much easier to remove from a hard and smooth surface like aluminum, fiberglass, or glass but the process of heat and scraping is the same.

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Which Rv Roof Is Better Epdm Or Tpo

These are the two most common types of RV roofing. To determine which one you prefer, you should weigh the pros of each against its cons. Heres an in-depth overview of each, to help you find the best RV roof material for your vehicle.

TPO

TPO, which is short for thermoplastic polyolefin, is preferred for two main reasons. One, its pocket-friendly and two, it comes when its already colored white.

Another benefit of TPO roofing is its durability. Compared to other types of thermoplastic membranes, this one is resistant to mold, and it doesnt accumulate dust. Its also resistant to impact and tearing.

A major drawback of TPO is that it doesnt fare well with high heat loads. Whenever its exposed to high thermal loads, the roof suffers from hastened weathering.

EPDM

Ethylene propylene diene monomer or EPDM, as its popularly known, is another type of roof you can use for your RV. Its also pretty popular and its constructed from a blend of recycled automotive tires, saw dust and slate dust.

The fact that its made of recycled materials means its very affordable. It costs as little as 80 cents per square foot, making it suitable for RV campers with limited budgets.

Its also revered for its durability. One factor that contributes to its longevity is the fact that its made of ultra-wide sheets. This means youre less likely to find seams on your new roof, which reduces the likelihood of leakage.

Which is Better?

How Long Should A Rubber Rv Roof Last

A properly maintained and cared for rubber roof should last around 20 years. But there are a lot of factors that can reduce life expectancy a lot.

An RV thats always been stored outdoors and has been exposed to the sun all of its life is going to need a new roof a lot faster than one thats been in covered storage.

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The climate can also play a big role. The hot desert sun and dry air can do a number on RV rubber roofs. Campers from states like Arizona and Nevada might need a new roof a lot sooner than an RV from a more moderate climate like Montana.

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Best Rv Roof Materials

If you do decide to reroof your RV on your own, youll need to know what kind of materials were used to create your RV roof. There are generally four types of materials used for RV roofs:

  • Ethyl Propylene Diene Monomer EPDM rubber is a strong, high-density synthetic rubber. It is used mainly for outdoor applications because of the durability of the material as well as its ability to withstand extreme weather conditions. It is also flame-retardant and cost-effective. EPDM rubber roofs are dark, which absorbs sunlight and retains heat.
  • Thermal Poly Olefin another special type of rubber, TPO is more durable compared to EPDM rubber and is more commonly used in high-end RV models. TPO roofs reflect sunlight, which allows air conditioning systems to work more efficiently. However, it is less durable compared to EPDM rubber and a bit more expensive.
  • Fiberglass RV roofs made from fiberglass are hard and durable, and require less maintenance compared to rubber roofs. However, the surface of the fiberglass is prone to scratches and adds considerably more weight to the RV.
  • Aluminum aluminum roofs are cheap and low-maintenance, but it is not commonly used as roof material for RVs because it is less durable and absorbs heat quickly. A notable exception that does use aluminum is the Airstream trailer line.
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