A Puncture In The Roof Membrane
The second most common reason for RV roof leaks can be more obvious, , and that is a punctured roof.
Anywhere theres a hole in the roof of your RV, it needs to be well sealed, and the sealant needs to be monitored regularly and replaced as necessary.
Tree branches have punctured many RV roofs, though this is more of a problem for roofs made from certain materials . Low-hanging tree branches can puncture an RV roof as youre driving or, if youre parked under trees, branches can fall onto the roof causing damage.
Unless you hear the damage as it occurs, or you take a look at your roof regularly, you might not even realize that your roof has been punctured. Thats why regular inspection of your RV roof including all seams and areas where sealant has been applied is so important. We harp on this often, and with good reason. RV roof leaks can cause unfathomable damage, even rendering an RV useless.
Flat RV roofs that allow water to sit are most prone to extreme water damage, and serious damage can occur in a relatively short span of time.
Lets take a look at some RV roof construction.
Fix A Small Leak On A Fiberglass Roof
Generally, fiberglass roofs only start to leak when they have sustained significant damage. They can also develop leaks around installed items, such as air conditioners or satellite dishes. To repair a significant hole in a fiberglass roof, you must first take the proper safety precautions. Youll need a respirator mask and safety glasses, as well as a die grinder to grind down the damaged areas and smooth them out. Thoroughly clean the area, and then apply resin. Sand it down, and then apply a gel coat that matches the surrounding area on your RVs roof. If done properly, this should keep any additional water from entering the RV.
How To Fix A Leaky Skylight Roof Vent Ac Unit Or Hatch
Since RVs rooftop systems such as the A/C unit or roof vent are essentially holes cut in the roof, the edges around them can develop leaks that you will need to fix to avoid water damage.
Luckily, its a pretty easy job:
Scrape away any residual silicone caulking.
Clean the surface of the roof around the leak with a plastic scrub pad or sandpaper, then swab with a solvent-soaked rag.
Seal the edges around the vent or system with sealant or sealant strips, covering all screws.
Position the vent flange so that it overlaps the roof surface by about two inches in either direction, and be sure to roll-in the sealant so that it bonds permanently.
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Water Damage To Structure Wood Rot
This is what happened to the friends we mentioned at the beginning of this post. They bought a used RV that had an undetected leak through an unprotected seam for some time. As the leak went unnoticed, the structure of the roof was damaged, and the damage was able to spread, causing the wood to rot silently but seriously.
Following is a video we made of the damage to the RV owned by our friends. Weve been around RVs for a long time, and even we were stunned to see the extent of this damage to a well-constructed motorhome.
The Importance Of Repairing Your Roof Early
It’s all too common to feel the drip of a leaky roof in your RV. There are many causes for a leaky roof. Water can get through even the smallest gaps, and if it happens to freeze after this, the water will expand and make the problem even worse. Holes and leaks can happen when heat from the sun causes the roof material to warp or soften. Even small animals, debris, or damage from falling branches can cause leaks. Regardless of how the leak happens, once water enters your trailer, the problems will really start. Even small amounts of water can provide the perfect habitat for mold and mildew to flourish. If your RV isn’t well-ventilated, the mildew will quickly spread and take over. This is why many older campers have a characteristic musty smell. If your RV features wood construction, the structure of the walls, roof, and floor could start to rot. Before you know it, you could have a problem that requires you to replace the furniture, decorations, and even structure of your RV. It’s best to nip the problem in the bud.
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Help From Hallmark Rv
Over the years, we have observed dozens of people caulking and sealing truck camper roofs and side walls but had never actually done it ourselves. For expert advice on how to properly caulk and seal our truck camper, we went to Bill Ward, President of Hallmark RV.
Our original plan was to remove all of the existing sealant and replace it with new Sikaflex 715 and 521 sealant. Bill suggested another approach. From experience, he advised not removing the original seals unless they were damaged or compromised.
Bill said, Why mess with a good seal? You could end up doing more damage than good. If some of the seals are in good shape, leave them alone.
We had envisioned a completely re-caulked and sealed camper, but the real goal was to prevent water intrusion, not to seal for sealants sake. Besides, not everyone has the time or inclination to remove all of the seals and reseal and entire truck camper. After our experience, removing all of the seals and resealing the whole camper would take an individual several days.
We took Bills advice, and only fixed what was actually broken.
Does Rv Insurance Cover Rv Roof Leaks
Most RV insurance offers collision, medical, content replacement, comprehensive, and liability coverage.
Many people think the comprehensive category would include damage from RV roof leaks, but in fact, its quite possible that your insurance coverage does NOT include damage from leaks.
Our advice:Talk with your insurance agent about this IN ADVANCE OF any damage to your RV. Know clearly what is and is not covered by your RV insurance policy, and ask how to obtain the coverage you want, depending on its affordability.
Where RV roof leaks are concerned, it may depend on the way the damage occurred. For example, insurance companies DENY claims on the damage that occurs from leaks that are considered to be maintenance-related. This would include leaks around caulking joints, old AC gaskets, cracked, uncaulked, or poorly caulked skylights and vents, and exposed screws that have not been adequately covered with protective sealant.
Dicor sealant that is cracked like this from exposure to the sun and other weather needs to be replaced. Its an easy and worthwhile job. A quick check of the sealant around vents, fans, solar panels, air conditioners, and antennas every 30 days or so keeps our RV roof in great condition, avoiding potentially costly leaks.
With all of that said, well reiterate that water damage can occur in different ways, and ALL insurance coverage is dependent on your individual policy. Again we encourage you to talk to your insurance agent about your coverage.
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How Do You Fix A Leaking Roof On An Rv
- Identify the source of the leak.
- Apply a temporary fix until you can make a permanent fix.
- Apply the permanent fix.
One thought to keep in mind is that there are a few different types of leaks you may develop and each type of leak will need a different fix.
Also, different RVs will have different types of roofs and each type of roof will require different materials to repair it.
In this post, Ill give you step-by-step instructions on how to fix 9 different types of RV roof types.
But first, we will look at what you do first as you find out the roof is leaking.
What Is The Best Rv Roof Sealant
The best sealant to use depends on the roof surface and the application. For EPDM, TPO and aluminum roofs, the recommended material is M-1 sealant .
If youre sealing around a roof vent or skylight, industry experts recommend using SB-140 butyl caulking .
For resealing RV windows, the experts again suggest M-1 sealant, but Duralink is also used and has excellent adhesion to glass.
If you are sealing around irregular surfaces, the best sealant to use is WebSeal tape.
It has a unique, woven fabric backing with microsealant composition so that it bonds perfectly on flat surfaces as well as around curves, angles, bolts and pipes.
Its also highly weather resistant, and remains flexible even in climates with temperatures as low as negative 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Understanding The Causes Of Rv Roof Leaks And How To Fix Them
Your RV cost you a significant chunk of change, and you expect it to last a long time. The good news is that, when properly cared for, RVs can last for many decades. However, if you do not care for and maintain that vehicle correctly, you could experience some significant issues. Whats more, those issues might crop up well before you expect them. One of the most insidious types of damage is to the roof, and RV roof leaks can be present in a vehicle that is only a few years old.
What Causes RV Roof Leaks in the First Place?
Before we tackle the topic of how to fix RV roof leaks, we need to discuss how they get started in the first place. Are the roofs of recreational vehicles really that weak that just a couple of years exposed to the sun can cause lasting damage? What you need to understand is that RV roof design and construction is really just a series of tradeoffs.
They need to be strong enough to hold up to prolonged exposure to the elements, but light enough that they dont weigh down the structure and reduce fuel economy. One of the better materials to achieve those goals is rubber its stretched over the wooden sub frame of your RVs roof to waterproof it and protect it.
Fixing RV Roof Leaks
Whats The Best Way To Seal Your Rv Roof
The first thing youll want to know for properly maintaining your RV roof is knowing what kind of material its made from. Depending on the type of RV you own, they can be rubber, fiberglass, or metal. Check with the manufacturer if youre unsure what material your roof contains.
Different RV roofs will require specific types of sealants. Choosing the wrong sealant for your roof could cause unintended damage.
Our friends mentioned above kept EternaBond tape on hand. Experienced RVers dont recommend it for extensive repairs but can seal minor issues. You can use this tape on many different areas of your RV, so we recommend keeping a roll in your toolbox.
You can also use liquid sealants and coating to protect your RV roof from leaks. If you go the re-coating route, youll want to clean and prime the roof before applying the coating.
Make sure to allow plenty of time for the coating to cure before repainting the roof. In some cases, itll need a few weeks for proper curing.
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Should You Call For Professional Help
Some jobs are just too big and too complicated for us to do at home. If you lack the experience or tools to complete a repair job like this, take your RV in to a local repair shop.
Its also a good idea to see if your insurance will cover the cost of repairs as a soft spot on your RV roof can cause major damage. Knowing how to fix a soft spot on your RV roof is a useful skill, but some problems are too big to handle alone.
What To Do If You Find A Leak In Your Camper Roof
If you do discover a leak, dont panic! In the best-case scenario, youll catch it right away and can stop future damage from happening.
Friends of ours discovered a leak during a heavy rainstorm in their brand new RV. Drips were visible inside from the seam between the cab and coach. Once the rain stopped, they climbed onto the roof with repair tape to seal the seam. They first dried the area with towels then applied the tape across the entire seam.
Our friends were lucky because their repair stopped future water from entering the poorly sealed seam. They eventually had a trained professional inspect the area to make sure there wasnt internal damage, which there wasnt.
Another method to stop a roof leak in your RV is to replace previously-laid caulking. If youve discovered a leak, some caulking on the roof likely cracked. Youll want to remove the old caulking and re-seal the area.
We cant stress enough that regularly inspecting your RV roof will help prevent you from becoming an unhappy camper.
Pro Tip: Unsure if you can walk on your RV roof? We uncovered if it could harm your RV.
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Simple Rv Roof Repair Hacks
RV roof repair is one of the best skills you can learn for maintaining your RV. Damage to an RV roof is easy to overlook but one of the most critical elements of camper maintenance.
Rubber roofs have become the standard in the RV industry. This is fortunate because rubber roofs are relatively easy to repair. As a result, roof maintenance and repair is one of the easier RV skills to learn. Well walk you through the basics.
Lets dig in!
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Diy Rv Roof Repair Saves Time And Money
Most people whove been RVing for any amount of time have gotten used to the idea that theyll at least occasionally have to rely upon themselves for maintenance and repairs. Doing it yourself is certainly helpful when traveling through areas where RV services arent readily available.
Water damage, for example, is one of the worst things when it comes to delaying RV maintenance and repair. It happens fast when theres a problem with your roof.
Fixing the leak yourself can prevent or at least minimize water damage. Aside from that, theres a certain satisfaction in doing things yourself. Plus, saving money is certainly a bonus side effect. So, you see, learning these simple RV roof repair hacks can not only save you money but also keep you warm and dry out on the road.
How To Check Your Rv For Leaks
Water damage to your motorhome can cost thousands of dollars to repair. Prevention is simple, you think, right? Once you see water dripping through into the interior, you get up on the roof, apply some Liquid Roof to the trouble spot, and all is well again. Unfortunately, its not always that simple.
When a leak develops on your RV roof, the water may travel unnoticed in the area between the roof and the ceiling, dripping down into the walls and causing damage which may not be detected until youve got a very expensive problem on your hands. Inspecting the roof isnt enough youve got to go through the entire motorhome to see if there are any areas which show signs that water is getting in. Then youll be able to trace it back to the source and treat the roof with liquid roof to prevent further problems.
How to look for water damage in your RV:
Inspect the roof Visually inspect all the seams, flashing, and areas around protrusions like antennae for cracked or damaged caulking and other gaps as well as soft spots or discoloration. Any problem areas can be cleaned and fixed with repair tape and liquid roof.
Check inlets Examine the areas where the furnace, shower, water inlet, etc. come into the inside of the RV and make sure there are no signs of water damage.
Inspect the walls Check for soft spots, discoloration, or wrinkles on the walls, particularly around doors, windows, slide-outs, and vents.
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Rv Roof Repair And Rv Roof Maintenance
RV Roof Repair and RV Roof Maintenance are essential for preserving the value of your RV investment. Motor house and RV rubber roof repair and preservation is a necessary stair in guaranteeing the durability of your speculation. The majority of manufacturers of RVs and motor houses fix rubber or TPO roofs on their automobiles for the reason that they are frivolous and elastic, while a few prefer fiberglass or aluminum for the reason that they give a firm outside. The entire are smooth looking. On the other hand, rubber and TPO roofs are extra vulnerable to harm, particularly as of above your head matters such as twigs whereas aluminum roofs are extra vulnerable to strain fractures and hollowing from corrosion. The end result is that the entire RV rubber roofs, left unattended resolve finally seep out. The elastomeric roof coatings have low dirt pick up and sealing feature will drastically reduce unsightly streaks that are so hard to remove from rv siding.
Types Of Rubber Roofs
Rubber RV roofs have become increasingly popular.
These types of roofs are relatively light-weight and they age very well. Theyre also easy to apply to existing roof structures so many people will apply them right over top of their existing leaky roof.
There are three main types of rubber roofs that people like to use on their RVs.
The first is usually just a quick fix that comes in the form of Flex Seal. This product can be sprayed on like spray paint and Ive read many mixed reviews on the product.
This being said, there are more advanced liquid rubber roof products that you can buy to apply to your roof.
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