Why To Seal Travel Trailer Roof
Of course, some of you, our dear trailer owners, may be still curious about why you should consider sealing your campers roof.
Naturally, the most obvious answer will be that once your roof starts leaking, it will quickly become your worst nightmare as a travel trailer owner!
Even the smallest holes in the roof of a camper can lead to quite significant damage and expensive repairs in future.
Because of this, it is strongly recommended that trailer owners regularly check the condition of their campers roofs, and have them sealed at least once a year.
However, this is not the only reason why you should bother about that. It may only seem that the reason is so easy and leaks can cause damage to the roof and the inside of the camper.
Nevertheless, you definitely know that leaks tend to appear because of different reasons! Below, we have listed some of the most common causes of roof leaks in a travel camper.
RV Roof Maintenance
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How Often Do You Clean Your Rv Roof
Itll vary depending on how you use and store your RV. If youre traveling full-time, you should clean your RV roof quarterly. This helps keep your roof looking clean but also gives you the chance to inspect the sealant.
If youre part-time or using your RV for weekend adventures, you can likely get by with cleaning your roof at the beginning and end of each camping season.
This is especially true if you keep your RV in covered storage when not in use.
Make sure to use soft brushes on your roof and only use chemicals approved by your manufacturer. Many RVers have had tremendous luck by using a soft-bristle brush and an approved RV roof cleaning product.
Can Roof Coatings Extend The Lifespan Of Your Rv Roof
The average RV roof will last around 20 years before it needs to be completely replaced or repaired. During that time, you can usually expect some leaks around 10 years, sometimes 5 depending on the usage and conditions the roof endures. Leaks at 5 years, and a new roof at 20. If you buy a used RV or plan to keep yours for a long time, youll have roofing issues with some regularity if you dont make any changes to your roof. But what if you install an RV roof coating instead of waiting for the leaks? Does that improve the lifespan and effectiveness of your RV roof?
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How To Tell If Your Rv Roof Needs A Reseal
To see if its time to reseal your RV roof you can usually tell just by looking at the sealant. If any cracks or holes are forming in it you know its time for a reseal or touchup.
You can also test the sealant by taking a metal scraper and pressing it into it. If the sealant is still soft and the scraper just makes an indent, its still good.
If its dry and brittle and the scraper pokes a hole in it you will want to remove the old sealant and add new or use EternaBond over it.
Traditionally people use RV self-leveling lap sealant to keep all of the roof accessories and edges of the RV roof sealed and weatherproof. And thats a great time tested way to go.
Just make sure you remove all the old caulks and thoughroly clean the roof just like you would for patches before applying the new RV sealant.
How Do I Apply Roof Caulk
Always apply the RV roof sealant or Dicor caulk in accordance to your RV manufacturers recommendations.
Ensure the area you are working is clean and dry. Apply a smooth even bead of product. Make sure you dont disturb or step on the new sealant or caulk once its down.
Quickly clean up any excess caulk or sealant before it dries. Make sure you dont leave any gaps in the beads of caulk.
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How Often Do You Clean And Condition Your Rv Roof
Your RV roof may be out of sight, but it shouldnt be out of mind.
Keeping your RV roof clean is essential for the longevity of your RV. You also need to be mindful of your maintenance schedule to avoid developing an issue with your RVs roof.
Luckily, weve got a few things we want to share with you about cleaning and conditioning your RV roof.
Lets get started!
Geocel Pro Flex Rv Flexible Sealant
Geocel Pro Flex RV Flexible Sealant is your sealant of choice for seals on the vertical sides of your RV. Its easy to smooth into the seals, does not hold onto dirt, offers flexibility, and is UV resistant.
We recommend using mineral spirits to get a smooth finish. Manufacturers state that it can be applied to damp surfaces, is paintable, and delivers on flexibility, too.
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How Should You Seal Rv Roof What Is The Best Way To Get Started
Camping Your RV can be subject to all kinds of stressors from extreme heat and heavy rain to snowstorms. These Conditions can be difficult on any surface, but they are especially hard on a roofless roof. In this blog, we will share a few tips to protect your RV roof using sealant and coatings. This will allow you to enjoy your camper with no worries!
- Coat Your new RV roof will be protected from the elements with a sealant. This Protect it from dirt, grime, water infiltration, and other contaminants
- Apply For extra protection against corrosion and rusting, apply low-maintenance paint to your campers exterior walls every two to three years. Low Acrylic is a common material for maintenance paints. They are much easier to clean than oil-based ones.
- Reinforce Your roof will be protected from extreme heat, cold and rain with a protective coating. There You dont need RV roof sealant, but it is an option that will protect you from all the elements.
- Check Roof inspections should be done at least once per year to check for damage and make any necessary repairs. This It will save you money long term, as small problems can quickly become major issues if they arent addressed. Its also important that you check for leaks in the rain so they can be fixed before mold or any other dangerous substances grow inside.
- If you have any questions regarding the care of your RV roof, please contact us. Wed be happy to assist! Were With years of experience, experts in the field.
Is Flex Seal The Best Product To Use On An Rv Roof
While it may be used in many applications, and some RVers have used the products with success, most RV technicians will tell you vehemently never to use Flex Seal on your RV for a number of reasons and we agree.
In our opinion, Flex Seal is NOT the best product to use on an RV roof, and were here to tell you why we feel this way.
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How Often Should You Reseal Your Rv Roof
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How often should you reseal your RV roof? A lot of people are wondering this. There is no easy answer to this question because it depends on how much use the RV is getting and where you live. For instance, if you live in a very hot area like Phoenix, Arizona, or Florida then your roof will need more frequent resealing than someone who lives in a cooler climate like Denver, Colorado, or Seattle Washington.
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What To Check For
While you are up on the ladder or on your RVs roof, checking the seals, we recommend that you check the general condition of the roof. To check the camper roof seals for elasticity, you will need a tool like a plastic scraper or a screwdriver.
Here are a few things to look for when you are inspecting the roof seals and roof of your RV.
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Reasons Not To Use Flex Seal On An Rv Roof
There are a variety of products on the market for use on an RV roof. These products are intended to effectively seal areas of your rigs roof to prevent leaks that can eventually seriously impact the structural integrity of your RV. So, products like these are no minor consideration.
When the roof of an RV is not properly maintained, serious damage can occur before you even know its there. This is why using the appropriate repair products is so important.
When it comes to preventing leaks, you want the best product for the job. And generally speaking, your RVs manufacturer has some opinions and recommendations about this very important maintenance matter as well.
Here are several reasons why the RVgeeks and many RV techs and RV manufacturers are unlikely to recommend Flex Seal as a first-choice option for RV roof maintenance and repair.
Keep Rv Roof Sealant On Hand For Emergency Repairs
Its always a good idea to keep roof sealant on hand. You never know when youll need to climb up on your roof to do an emergency repair. You dont want to be unprepared if you hit a low-hanging limb or something tears your roof material.
Dont wait days or weeks to get the proper materials to fix a roof issue.
Cover any rips or tears in your roof as soon as possible to avoid the issue getting worse.
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How To Seal Your Rv Roof
Knowing that keeping your RV roof in good shape is the key to saving you a lot of money and expanding the roofs lifespan means that you should do anything in your power to shield it for as long as possible. The best way to do this, as we mentioned above, is to reseal your roof every year and regularly check for cracks or leaks.
However, if you are a new RV owner or unsure how to seal your roof, there are some easy-to-follow guidelines and steps below. Before starting the process, you should ensure you have purchased the proper sealant for your roof type. Finding a suitable adhesive is easy, even at online stores like Amazon.
- Let The Roof Dry After washing your RVs roof, it is essential to give it enough time to dry thoroughly before starting the application. Doing this will ensure no water keeps the sealant from adhering to the roofs surface.
- Reseal Any Holes Or Gaps Now that your roof is clean and dry, you can start sealing all the holes or spaces where your RV roof has attachments again. One of the most important places to do this is around the AC unit of your RV.
What Kind Of Sealant Products Should I Use On My Rv
Liquid Rubber created a line of products specifically for RV roof coating use. Our online catalog has an extensive selection, so you can find one that suits your needs. The best all-around product is the RV Coating along with the Liquid Rubber EPDM Primer, which provides the best protection against the elements.
We’ve even created an easy-to-follow video, showing you the best way to apply liquid rubber products, along with tips for the best results. After all, you’ll only get maximum effectiveness when you’re using our products properly.
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Directions For Cleaning A Rubber Rv Roof
Use care when working on an RV roof to avoid falls. Be sure to follow manufacturer and warranty instructions for roof access and cleaning.
Rubber And Fiberglass Roof Repair
Although most rubber roofs are guaranteed for 10-12 years and can easily last for 20 when well cared for, a snagged tree branch can tear the roofing membrane. Likewise, fiberglass roofs sometimes develop hairline cracks. The roof-to-wall and roof-to-cap transition joints are also susceptible to separation, and problems can crop up around roof vents, TV antennas and other accessories mounted to the RVs roof.
There are two products that make repairs to both rubber and fiberglass roofs a snap. EternaBond comes on a roll, like tape, and is easy to install. Clean the area thoroughly, roughing it up with a Scotch-Brite pad and clean the area with water. Then cut the tape to allow a 2-inch margin around the tear, press it into place, and use a small wallpaper-type roller to ensure the tape is affixed smoothly without any bubbles.
EternaBond tape can be purchased in many lengths, from 4 feet to 50 feet, for small tears to major roof/wall separations that run the full length of the RV. The tape shelf life, before application, is five years, so if you keep some on hand for emergencies, make a note of when you bought it.
If you need to replace the caulking around the vents and other accessories, use Dicor EPDM Lap Sealant. Simply clean the area of all dirt, particles and grease. Let it dry and then run a bead along the damaged area using a caulking gun. The sealant will flow and spread out. If it is cold, warm up the sealant before applying it so it can flow well.
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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.
What Have We Decided About Flex Seal Rv Roof Repairs
Many RVers have used Flex Seal for repairing leaks in their RVs. From reading RV forums, it is clear that some were very happy with the results while others had nothing good to say.
Relying on Flex Seal as a permanent solution to a leaky RV roof may not be a good idea. It could be argued that Flex Seal is not designed for RV roof repairs. However, many of the negative reviews seem to stem from those expecting Flex Seal to be a permanent repair.
The ready availability of Flex Seal at major retailers, as-seen-onTV stores, and online, makes it very easy to keep a few cans of Flex Seal Liquid, Spray, or Shot on hand for emergencies. It might not hurt to have a roll of the tape as well.
Flex Seal is also relatively inexpensive. You can apply it on almost any surface, in cold weather, hot weather, on dry surfaces, and wet surfaces. It does stop leaks and will certainly get you to a point where you have the time to shop for a more permanent roof repair for your RV.
Personally, I keep a roll of Eterna Bond Tape, Dicor Self Leveling Lap Sealant Caulk and another tube of Dicor Non Sag Lap Sealant Caulk on board my RV for any emergency repairs I have to make. Ive used flex seal and although I think it worked, it was really hard to work with. Have you used Flex Seal to make a repair on your RV Roof? Please share your comments about it below. You never know but your comment could help a fellow RVer!
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How Often Should You Seal Your Rv Roof
If youve previously believed that an RV roof will last as long as the camper, travel trailer, or motorhome please rethink that!
Typically, an RV roof will only be as good as its owner is at maintaining it.
Greater care will give the roof a long life with a reduced likelihood of water leaks. And that should be one of the goals of every RV owner.
