How To Seal A Camper Roof Leak

How To Repair A Punctured Rv Roof

Although you might pay a professional to do a full roof replacement for your RV, there are many roof repair jobs that are easy and far cheaper if you do them yourself.

One of these is repairing a punctured or torn RV roof. To fix this kind of damage, all you really need to do is install a patch:

RV roof tape or RV roof patches are easy to apply, with adhesive on one side that sticks to your RV roof and seals up the torn or punctured area.

These patches are very durable, and provide a permanent solution to a tear or small hole.

Its a good idea to keep some in your RVs emergency tool kit just in case something happens while youre out on a trip. You dont want a punctured roof causing leaks and creating water damage!

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.

How Often Should You Reseal The Roof Of An Rv

When the RV roof sealant starts to dry out and crack, you know its time to reseal them. You should get on your roof and inspect the seals and seams at least quarterly. This is one maintenance item that shouldnt go unchecked, as water damage can lead to expensive repairs.

Depending on your RV model, you may even have RV roof sealant around the edge of your roof. This is because your roof is made of one material that is different from the sides of your RV. To completely protect the roof from any leaks the sealant is added at the seam. Its important to check this area as well, as it may also need to be resealed over time.

Some older RVs might need the entire roof resealed. While this might sound like a daunting task, its not. Below we cover the different types of RV roof sealant, from simple seal maintenance to total roof coverage.

Pro Tip: If youre in maintenance mode, check out 5 Annual RV Maintenance Tasks Every RVer Can Do.

Don’t Miss: Does The Red Roof Inn Have A Pool

Reduces Wear And Tear

The older your RV, the more it takes a beating on the roof surface. When your RV stays for longer and gets exposed to the outside world, its roof can start to wear and tear which may require repair.

The good news is that RV roof sealant and coating can help to fix this issue. You can consider rubber roofing at the top, which will help to minimize the wear and tear of your RV roof. This will eventually help you save on costs.

How Often Should You Reseal Your Rv Roof

You should inspect your roof at least once a month. This helps you spot changes early. Catching an issue before it becomes a major problem is essential to extending the life of your RVs roof.

While its smart to check your RV roof every month, your RVs warranty may require an annual inspection. This inspection can be done at the dealership or possibly even by yourself. Address any issues found by the inspection. For example, if, after a year or two, you experience a leak due to a bad seal and you havent attempted to seal up your RV, you could be on the hook for a hefty repair bill.

A tiny leak may not seem like a big deal, but it can create a very dangerous situation for you and those using your RV. Before you know it, mold could take over, or water damage could ruin your RVs interior and exterior walls. Preventative maintenance is the best way to stop mold or other damage from happening in the first place.

Read Also: How Much Weight Do Solar Panels Add To A Roof

Fix Plumbing Vent Boots

Plumbing vent boots can be all plastic, plastic and metal, or even two-piece metal units. Check plastic bases for cracks and metal bases for broken seams. Then examine the rubber boot surrounding the pipe. That can be rotted away or torn, allowing water to work its way into the house along the pipe. With any of these problems, you should buy a new vent boot to replace the old one. But if the nails at the base are missing or pulled free and the boot is in good shape, replace them with the rubber-washered screws used for metal roofing systems. Youll find them at any home center with the rest of the screws. Youll have to work neighboring shingles free on both sides. If you dont have extra shingles, be careful when you remove shingles so they can be reused. Use a flat bar to separate the sealant between the layers. Then youll be able to drive the flat bar under the nail heads to pop out the nails.

Does Flex Seal Work As Well As Dicor Lap Sealant

Dicor Lap Sealant is another often recommended option to repair RV roof leaks. Dicor Lap Sealant is a self-leveling compound which is applied in a bead that will then spread and seal the leak. By most accounts, Dicor Lap Sealant works well and is an excellent product.

The drawbacks are that Dicor Lap Sealant requires careful prep work and the proper temperature conditions to level and seal properly. This prep work and ideal temperature condition may not always be possible or available during an emergency repair while touring the Alaskan wilderness or a desert in the Southwest.

You can find various opinions on both Flex Seal and Dicor Lap Sealant as to these products performance and reliability. When you have the time and right tools to properly prepare the leaking area for repair and the right temperature to allow Dicor Lap Sealant to level and seal the leak, it is indeed the better product.

However, when you are pulled off on the shoulder of the Trans-Canada Highway with a leaky RV roof, and the storm clouds are brewing, having a few cans of Flex Seal Spray in one of your storage compartments might be just the thing you need.

Don’t Miss: What Size Plywood Do You Use On A Roof

What Is An Rv Roof Sealant

RV roof sealant is a material designed to seal cracks, junctions and imperfections around your campers roof to keep it watertight. Its frequently used on motorhomes, camper vans, and boats. This material is typically made of extremely durable synthetic rubber roofing membrane or Thermoplastic Polyolefin .

Using a roof sealant will help prevent interior water damage saving you money and costly repairs down the line. All of this will increase the lifespan of your RV.

Roof sealers also prevent drafts and air leaks. Overall, theyll make your camper more insulated against the elements.

Four Types Of Flex Seal And How To Use Them On An Rv Roof

Flex Seal comes in three forms: Flex Seal Liquid, Flex Seal Spray, and Flex Seal Shot. Flex Seal Liquid and Spray both come in black, white, and clear. Flex Shot comes in white and clear. The great thing is that you can use Flex Seal with many all RV roof materials.

Flex Seal Liquid

Flex Seal Liquid is liquid rubber in a can and, it will stop leaks fast. Flex Seal will protect your RVs roof surface from corrosion. It also will not melt, peel, or crack because of harsh weather conditions. Being a thick liquid, Flex Seal is incredibly versatile and can be rolled, dipped, brushed, or poured on surfaces. When it cures, you will have a waterproof layer of sturdy, flexible rubber.

Flex Seal Spray

Flex Seal Spray is the most commonly used spray-on liquid rubber sealer available. The convenient aerosol spray allows for the easy application of Flex Seal with no brushes or rollers required. However, be careful with the overspray. It can be a bit messy.

Flex Shot

Flex Shot is a perfect solution for those tight, hard-to-reach places. It is ideal for caulking around your windows or air conditioner, etc. Its straightforward to use and will stop flowing the minute you release downward pressure on the bottle.

Flex Seal Tape

Flex Seal Tapecan be applied to the leaking area of a roof before using one of the other flex seal products above. For example, the tape is perfect for a tear in your roof that could be caused by hitting a tree branch.

Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Moss Killer For Roofs

Rv Roof Sealant Options

There are several different options when it comes to RV roof types of sealant. Lets take a closer look at each:

• Initial factory sealant
• Permanent coating

Overall cost, ease of application, the type of RV roof, and general use of RV are all factors that contribute to the choice of RV sealant used.

As more and more individuals enter the RV market, especially full-time, more customers are looking at ways to streamline RV roof resealing to avoid loss of RV use due to repairs or water damage. With individuals treating their RV as a home, a long-term solution is often more lucrative, and options like Roof Armor are a great alternative to ensure the roof is sealed properly for the long haul.

Best Value: Dicor Seal Tape

On a budget? Dicor butyl seal is a cost effective tape, yet still high quality. This sealant is quite a bit skinnier than eternabond which is helpful for RV owners who need to deal with small or awkward joints around the roof area.

As a butyl sealant, this tape requires no pre-mixing or secondary ingredients. Its easy to apply, even for novice RV owners.

Like eternabond, this tape doesnt need to cure. So you can apply paint to the area almost immediately. Whats more, the sealant doesnt create any reactive byproducts. This helps to ensure that you dont experience any irritation when breathing or around exposed skin.

Tape sealers have a long shelf life making it an excellent addition to an RV repair kit. Just make sure that you store it in a cool, dry, and safe location, as the tape is prone to warping.

Recommended Reading: How Much Ponding Is Acceptable On A Flat Roof

How Do You Dry An Rv Roof Leak

You may have to remove/cut into the ceiling where water has come in, remove the wet insulation, then leave it open and run a dehumidifier until bone dry. Then re-install new insulation and repair the ceiling. Would be bad to leave as is and let black mold set up in it which will pretty much make the camper worthless.

Emergency Rv Roof Repairs

A leaking RV roof is something that you need to fix immediately. The longer a leak continues, the more water damage will occur, and the higher the cost of any future repairs will be. When you discover a leak in your RV roof, you will need a way to quickly and effectively stop the leak. And you will probably need to do this with something you can carry with you in one of your RVs storage compartments.

In a situation like this, one way to stop the leak in your RVs roof is to apply a durable and waterproof sealant over the leaky area. There are many new rubber coating products on the market today. The question is, which might be the best suited to fix the leak in your RV. Flex Seal is an excellent option to consider. However, as with any product, Flex Seal has its limitations. And, there are some advantages and disadvantages to using this product.

Advantages of Flex Seal

Flex Seal provides a low-cost option for an otherwise costly repair. Repairing a roof is going to cost much more than using Flex Seal. It dries fast and seals leaks within minutes of being applied. Flex Seal is readily available at a range of retailers and is perfect for quick fixes while on the road until a more permanent repair can be arranged.

Disadvantages of Flex Seal

Flex Seal is a temporary fix and not a permanent solution to a leak. Flex Seal should not be used to repair a whole roof. When theres a lot of roof area to cover, you will want to consider other options.

Recommended Reading: How Do You Figure Shingles For A Roof

Keep Your Rv Roof From Leaking This Winter

Water damage can be a death sentence for RVs, so owners need to be extremely vigilant about leaks. RV roofs are fairly sturdy, but they can deteriorate over time, which leads to cracks and holes. If you want to learn how to prevent an RV roof leak, youve come to the right place.

Once a leak starts, it can be hard to patch it up. Water damage inside the walls and ceiling of your RV can lead to rot, mold, rust, and other dangerous forms of decay. In some cases, the damage is bad enough that you can no longer continue to use the vehicle.

Fortunately, there are a variety of things you can do to prevent leaks from forming. A proper RV maintenance schedule will help you check various parts of your RV, including the roof. Follow the tips below if you want to cover all your bases and avoid an RV roof leak.

Tear And Vibration Resistance

The weather isnt the only thing that can cause costly, long-term damage to your campers roof. Vibrations from moving on the road can also cause destruction over time, including cracks and tears.

Many top RV roof sealant brands are resistant to vibrations and tearing thanks to their rubbery nature. This can help to keep your roof intact even on rough terrain. Your sealant wont fail due to bumps in the road, changes in weather, or even weight on the roof.

Its a good idea always to carry some extra roof sealant during road trips. If you experience a tear in your roof, you can quickly patch it up without having to worry about causing further damage.

Also Check: How Do You Figure Square Footage Of A Roof

Fixing Your Rvs Roof Leak

The easiest and most convenient way to fix your RVs roof leak is to use a quality coating and sealant for the roof. A new coating will provide your roof with protection from the elements like sun, snow, and rain and will also seal any leaks and damages to the roof.

If you own a rubber roof and the damages are sparse, simply use a small tube of quality rubber sealant or specially designed repair tape that is made just for rubber roofs. Also, you might find the caulking on your roof is not up to par. Caulking usually surrounds joints, ACs, and vents. If youre not satisfied with the amount of caulking, use a quality caulk to ensure your roofs durability is up to scratch.

How To Reseal An Aluminum Rv Roof

1. Clean the roof As usual, the first step involves cleaning the roof of your RV before any repairs. While cleaning, avoid using any petroleum products as they can damage your aluminum roof as well.2. Use a special coating like the Dicor Metal RV roof coating It forms a rubber-like top layer on the roof and is resistant to rust or mildew.3. Seal all the joints or rivets Use a caulking gun.

Also Check: A 1 Roofing Newport Ri

Cleaning The Existing Roof Seals

We started by unloading our camper so we could access, inspect, and seal every part of the camper, including the front wall and underside. We also didnt want to get any sealant on our truck.

Once demounted, Bill handed us gloves and a small container of acetone. The acetone, as Bill explained, would clean the existing seals so we could see the condition of the seals and determine which seals needed repair.

Acetone is a colorless solvent commonly used to remove nail polish, and as a paint thinner. The RV industry uses acetone extensively for cleaning and removing dirt and sealants before applying fresh sealants.

Gloves on, we climbed up the rear ladder of camper to inspect and clean the roof seals. Angela wasnt wild about the ladder, so she climbed up through the cabover roof escape hatch. She much preferred getting on and off the roof through the escape hatch.

The acetone made fairly quick work of cleaning the seals turning them from a dirty grey-white to a clean off-white. The acetone seal cleaning also quickly revealed seal breaks and potential leaks. Specifically, we were looking for cracks in the roof seals or any place where the sealant had come away from the roofing material.

Heres how Bill showed us to test roof sealant:

2. With your fingers, push on the sealant and check if theres an air pocket underneath, or if it moves. Good sealant will be tight to the camper with no air pockets and will not move.