Tips for Maintaining Your RV Liquid Roof Coating

Posted on June 24, 2019 by Brian McCallister

Of all the materials used for recreational vehicle roofs, RV roof coating is perhaps the most common material found on today’s vehicles. There are two main types of Liquid roofing: EPDM, or Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, and TPO, or Thermal Polyolefin. Both are synthetic rubber compounds, but each has its own unique formula, as well as special requirements for maintenance and repairs. You should always consult your RV owner’s manual to determine what type of roof you have and how to best care for it.

If the roof of your RV was replaced with a different material than what was installed by the manufacturer, you may not have this guide on your side. Fortunately, liquid roofing is fairly low maintenance and doesn’t require a lot of upkeep. This durability makes it an economical choice, which is why many manufacturers stick to the RV roof coating, even with an abundance of modern technology and potential opportunities for new roofing solutions. It works, so why change it?

How to Maintain EPDM Roofing

If you install the roof correctly, an EPDM roof is not going to require a lot of maintenance in the early years. Over time, EPDM may need additional resealing of seams and fixture edges, but this is typical regardless of the type of roof that you choose. EPDM is a low maintenance product, but it doesn’t respond well to solvents and oils. Therefore, you should always choose RV cleaning products and RV roof coating materials that are safe for use specifically with this type of material. Otherwise, you could cause extensive damage and ruin the resale value of your RV.

How to Maintain TPO Roofing

TPO roofing provides a durable, sturdy sheet-style installation that is popular among many RVers. It is a newer product than EPDM, but there is some information about maintaining the TPO roof on your RV. For starters, this roof will need more maintenance than an EPDM roof because the seams need regular treatments with adhesive to ensure proper sealing. This constant replacing of the seals can cause additional wear on the seams and result in premature deterioration. However, the increasing availability of TPO-friendly products designed to enhance longevity is helping to combat this. Make sure that you choose roofing materials and coatings that are designed to work with TPO materials.

Liquid Roofing Offers Even Less Maintenance

Liquid RV roofing is growing in popularity because it is versatile, convenient, and cost-effective. The liquid roof creates an additional flexible seal around all of the seams and fixtures on the roof of your RV, adding strength to the caulking that you add to seal everything. Plus, this product self-levels when it is poured, which can eliminate pesky pooling that can lead to damage and water leaks. Liquid roofing is a great choice for those who want the least maintenance and the easiest application. This method requires minimal tools and effort, compared to TPO and EPDM sheet roofing, which require much more time and a variety of tools that the average person might not have on hand.

Annual Cleaning and Inspections

Regardless of whether you choose an RV roof coating or another material for the roof of your RV, regular inspection and cleaning will be your best defense against damage. You should visually inspect the roof of your RV at least twice a year. If it is not stored in a climate-controlled environment or is exposed to extreme temperatures on a regular basis, more frequent inspections may be a good idea.

You should also clean your roof once or twice a year. A simple cleaning with soap and water (or other cleaning products designed for your roof material) can remove dirt, debris, bird droppings, and other items that could cause unnecessary damage or wear to the roof surface. Make sure that you are only using cleaning products designed for the type of roof that you have. Otherwise, as mentioned above, you could do more harm than good.

The Pros and Cons of an RV Liquid Roof

Posted on May 21, 2019 by Brian McCallister

The RV liquid roof, also known as a liquid EPDM roof, is one of the most well-known roofing products on the market today. This material has all the same characteristics and benefits of a traditional EPDM rubber roof once it cures, but is easier to apply due to its liquid form. Of course, there are pros and cons to consider with any roofing material, and this one is no exception. While there are a lot of products to choose from, here are some pros and cons to consider when thinking of investing in a liquid roofing product.

Pros:

RV liquid roof products are versatile. They can be applied to just about any surface, including existing rubber roofing, fiberglass, plywood, and even fabric and metal. Application is quick and easy with a brush, squeegee, or roller.
Liquid roofing is convenient. This product is instantly waterproof once it is cured, and only requires a single coat application for optimal protection. The products available today even have self-leveling properties to cut down on your labor.
Liquid roof materials are the economical choice. A single gallon of liquid EPDM coating can cover as much as 40-45 square feet, and costs less than $100, in most cases. Plus, the coating dries white and will reflect sunlight, saving energy costs by keeping your RV cooler during the warm summer months.
Liquid roofing is flexible and durable. Because this is a rubber-based liquid product, it will fill all the cracks and crevices for a watertight seal, and can withstand extreme temperatures without cracking or other damage.
An RV liquid roof offers total protection. This roofing material resists UV rays and ozone emissions, and can withstand saltwater, acids, snow and ice, and more. The even application and self-leveling properties even help prevent pooling of water and ice that could lead to future damage or leaks.

Cons:

Liquid roofing materials expire. If you are planning to use a liquid roof product, make sure that you only buy enough for your needs. If you have to buy extra, consider splitting the cost with someone who also needs a new RV roof. After about a year of being opened, the product tends to separate and will be unusable.
Some RV owners complain that liquid roof application is difficult due to the thick, gooey texture of the product. This is mostly a personal preference, and will not affect how well it does or does not work for your roofing needs.

As you can see, the only real cons to this type of roofing material for an RV are matters of personal preference or misuse of the product. RV liquid roof products are made of high-quality materials and provide amazing performance to protect your RV from water, wind, UV rays, and all of the elements that it may face down the road. If it’s time to reseal or replace your RV roof, liquid EPDM might be just what you need.

Liquid Roof vs. Resealing

One of the biggest questions people ask, despite the many benefits of the RV liquid roof, is if they might just be better off resealing all of the cracks and seams on their roof periodically. Since you will have to remove all of the old sealant before putting down your new liquid roof anyway, this is a valid question. However, think of liquid roofing like a blanket. Instead of applying a product that will only cover the direct seams, you can apply a full liquid roof and provide even more protection for your RV.

As you can see, liquid roofing materials can provide a lot of benefits. If you are looking for an easy, versatile product that will get the job done right without costing a small fortune, this may be just what you need. Remember to familiarize yourself with the liquid roofing process before you get started for the best results.

RV Roof Coating and Basic Maintenance Tips

Posted on April 24, 2019 by Brian McCallister

RV owners need to take proper care of their RV if they expect it to last a long time and to stay in great shape. You love the RV and you rely on it for your vacations and when you are traveling around the county. With proper care and maintenance, it means that the RV is going to last you for many years to come. The following are some important tips for the RV roof coating and simple maintenance tips that you will want to follow to keep your RV in great shape.

Inspection of the Roof

You should make sure that you are inspecting the roof several times a year – twice at a minimum. This will help you find any potential problems as early as possible before they get to become too expensive to repair. You need to be sure that you are closely inspecting all of the components of the roof. This includes getting up close to look for any cracks or holes that might be in the roof. It also requires that you look around the edges of vents, skylights, and similar areas.

Those areas are where holes have been cut in the roof by the manufacturer. Even though they have been sealed and likely have caulking around them, they are not impervious to problems. You might find that you need to replace the caulk to prevent water from entering the RV.

Inspect Inside the RV

It is also quite important that you look inside of the RV for any potential signs of leaks. The roof might not show any obvious signs of a leak from the top, but that doesn’t mean that water can’t still find its way inside. You will want to look around the edges of the walls where they meet the ceiling, around the skylight, and inside of the cabinets to see if you can spot any water staining, bubbling, or other issues that would indicate that you have a leak in the RV. If you do, then you are going to want to get back on the roof and look for issues, and you will certainly want to add an RV roof coating, which we will discuss later.

Regular Removal of Debris

All manner of debris can find its way onto the top of your roof. Whether it is fallen leaves, sap from trees, rocks, or branches, you need to take the time to remove them from your roof. Check out the roof regularly and sweep away any of the debris that you happen to find.

Cleaning the Roof

The roof should be cleaned thoroughly at least three or four times each year. By keeping the roof clean, it will ensure that sap, dirt, and other debris are not degrading the roof. It will also help to prevent staining, which can come from a buildup of mold, sap, and debris that is on the roof.

You can start by rinsing the roof with water to remove dirt, and then use a brush to scrub away the grit and grime, along with the sap that may have accumulated on the roof. You will want to use a specialized roof cleaner to make sure it is properly cleaned, and then rinse it with clean water.

Add RV Roof Coating

One of the best ways to maintain your roof, and to deal with any small leaks that you might have, is to add RV roof coating. It goes on very easily – much like paint – and it will provide waterproofing protection immediately. It will cure within a few days, and it can provide your roof with protection for years to come.

Is There Such a Thing as a Permanent RV Roof Coating?

Posted on March 25, 2019 by Brian McCallister

The bad news is no RV roof coating is really permanent. No matter what a manufacturer may promise, there are just too many factors that can affect RV roof wear. The good news is there are products on the market that, when properly applied, can last for many years; call them semi-permanent if you’d like.

Factors That Prevent a Permanent Roof Coating

All RV roofs wear over time, even the EPDM rubber roofs that are becoming the standard of the industry. So many external forces come into play that cause even the best RV roofs to wear down. Low spots in the roof can develop, especially around vents, causing a condition known as ‘ponding’; a low spot where a puddle of water forms that lasts for more than 2 days. Extreme variations in temperature cause the rubber roof to expand and contract, weakening its structure. The sun’s extreme heat and ultraviolet rays take their toll too. No matter how good RV roof surfaces start out, they all need regular inspection and maintenance if you want to achieve anything close to a permanent RV roof coating.

RV Roof Coatings

Getting Close to a Permanent RV Roof Coating

If you check out all of the advertisements for RV roof coatings, the ones with the longest warranty periods have one common denominator; they all use a liquid EPDM rubber coating. That’s because EPDM rubber can withstand extremes of hot and cold, resist the sun’s ultraviolet rays, help insulate the coach and is waterproof, even if there’s ponding. Also, because these coatings are liquid when being applied, they are great for filling in any minor cracks in the roof’s surface.

Sifting Through the Claims

Are all EPDM liquid rubber coatings the same? All require that the surface be thoroughly cleaned and prepared before applying the coating. No liquid rubber will properly adhere to a surface that is dirty or that is covered with a detergent film. Some products can be applied by the do-it-yourself person, but are labor intensive, requiring two coats of sealant with several hours of drying time between each coat and they depend upon optimum weather conditions. Many people use a liquid EPDM roof coating that they can apply themselves and that only requires one coat; that saves time and money. The single coat product is waterproof the moment it is applied. That’s about as close to a permanent RV roof coating as you’re going to get.

Hiring a Professional

A few coating systems use the very same EPDM liquid rubber, but insist that their employees do all of the prep work and install, then they charge many thousands of dollars for the same job that you can do yourself on a weekend. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t have a professional roofer do the install. If you’re not comfortable getting up on your RV roof, then you definitely should hire someone to do it. You probably have several roofers in your area that are fully licensed and insured. Many will allow you to supply the coating material, so you can shop around, get the best price and reduce your total cost considerably. If you decide to hire someone local and can supply your own materials, you’re still going to save thousands of dollars over hiring an RV roof coating company that insists upon using their people and materials

You may not be able to get a truly permanent RV roof coating, but there are products out there that can help you get pretty darn close.

The Importance of an RV Liquid Roof Coating

Posted on February 22, 2019 by Brian McCallister

Everyone That Owns an RV Needs to Protect the Roof

You normally won’t hear two neighbors having a lively discussion about an RV liquid roof coating, unless they are both RV owners. Every owner has a favorite product and method that they use to keep the roof of their coach looking like new. And every old-timer has a horror story about a roof defect that went unnoticed and caused extensive damage to the unit’s interior. That’s why all experienced RV owners inspect their camper roofs at regular intervals and repair any defects, no matter how small, immediately.

RV liquid Roof Coatings

Why Choose an RV Liquid Roof Coating?

When it comes to protecting the roof of an RV, there are a lot of products to choose from, each claiming to have the answers to all of your problems. They can’t all be right, so an educated RV owner needs to do some homework. You’ll certainly want the coating to be durable; after all, resurfacing your RV roof isn’t something that you’re going to want to do very often. Even if you do the work yourself, the job is time and labor intensive and there is some cost involved. That’s why more and more RV owners are coating their existing roofs with an RV liquid roof coating made from EPDM, which is a synthetic rubber. That’s because EPDM rubber coatings have been proven to withstand both hot and cold temperature extremes, thus improving a roof’s insulating ability. Liquid EPDM remains flexible, which is extremely important when coating the roof of an RV that is always in motion. Best of all, a liquid rubber roof can be applied to almost any original equipment roof material, although some may require a coat of primer first. Check with the RV liquid roof coating manufacturer to see if your roof requires a primer before applying a liquid EPDM coating and if it does, have them recommend one.

What to Look for When Choosing an RV Liquid Roof Coating.

Of course cost is always a consideration, but be careful not to let it be the main one. You’re not saving money in the long run if you have to resurface the RV roof again in three years, instead of five or ten years. That doesn’t mean that the most expensive coating is necessarily the best either. Again, do your homework. Some coating brands require special cleaners and primers; that’s an expense. Others require two coats with hours of waiting time between each coat; that could end up costing you twice as much money and time. Check their warranties; if someone is offering a lifetime warranty, be a little skeptical. Anyone who’s owned an RV for any length of time can tell you that there’s no such thing as a roof coating that lasts forever. They probably have unreasonable maintenance requirements and loopholes that protect them from ever having to deliver on their promises. A good product will be one that is made from genuine EPDM rubber and that will work on most roof surfaces; again, a primer may still be required. Look for one that will provide an excellent seal with just one coat; why waste half a day waiting for a first coat to dry or pay again for a second coat. Besides, if their product can’t give your roof adequate protection in one coat, what’s to say that it can provide protection in two coats? Would you ever buy an interior wall paint that told you right off the bat that it couldn’t cover in one coat?

Consider Adding a Liquid Coating Over the RV Roof

Posted on January 21, 2019 by Brian McCallister

Protection for your RV roof is important for everyone who owns an RV, but it is something many people do not immediately consider. If they don’t notice any issues with the roof, they assume there won’t be a problem. However, just as with the roof of a house, there is always the chance for problems to arise and leaks to develop. A leak in the roof of your RV will be damaging unless you take care of it as soon as possible. However, there is a way that you can avoid leaks in the first place or take care of them quickly if they are already present. What you will want to do is add a liquid coating over the RV roof.

What Will the Coating Do?

Using RV Liquid Roof will provide your roof with a range of benefits. This type of coating is formulated for vehicles like RVs. When you are choosing your coating, it is important that you get RV Liquid Roof and not Liquid Rubber, which is for stationary properties, such as businesses and homes. This RV liquid roof coating will provide your RV with waterproofing and weatherability, which means it can help to prolong the life of your RV.

The coating is white and will reflect the UV rays, which have the potential to damage other roofs. In addition, this reflective value will help to keep the interior of the RV cooler, which is sure to be helpful when you are out and traveling during the hot summer months.

The elastomeric coating will help to ensure that your vehicle’s roof is truly protected from leaks. It acts as a shield against inclement weather, so you will not need to worry about waking up in the middle of the night to the telltale sound of dripping inside of your RV. Even if you have already found a leak, you will be happy to know that adding the liquid roofing over the RV roof will help to stop that leak from continuing and others from starting.

RV Liquid Roof

How Hard Is It to Add?

Naturally, one of the next questions that people tend to ask after learning about these types of coatings is how difficult it will be to add to their roof and whether it is expensive. The cost is a fraction of what you would pay if you had to have a brand new roof or to repair a lot of damage done by water. In addition, it is also possible to apply the RV Liquid Roof coating on your own. You do not need to hire a professional to do it for you, which means even more savings and convenience.

If you would like to apply the coating, the first thing you will want to do is inspect your roof. You will look for areas where leaks could occur, such as cracks or holes, for example. You will then clean the roof and apply patching to those areas. Once you have the roof patched, you can then apply the liquid roofing over the RV roof. It comes in a large bucket and it goes on just as simply as paint. You can apply it to large areas of the roof with a roller and around the vents and other, smaller areas with a brush.

You only need a single coat, and you will be happy to know that it goes to work protecting your vehicle immediately, even though it will take some time to cure. Pay attention to the manufacturer’s instructions on applying this coating, and make sure you have a few days of sunshine so it will cure faster.

Why You Need a Permanent RV Roof Coating

Posted on December 3, 2018 by Brian McCallister

When you purchase an RV, it can be rather expensive. With a major purchase that costs more than typical cars or trucks, it makes sense that you want to keep the RV in perfect shape for as long as possible. This ensures that you will be getting the most value and enjoyment from the RV. You will find that this is different from simply keeping your car or truck in good condition, as you need to think about more than oil changes and basic upkeep. With an RV, you also need to think about the roof. You may have been considering getting a permanent RV roof coating, but you want to know more about the potential benefits that it can offer. Let’s look at the best reasons to choose coatings like RV Liquid Roof.

Your Roof Will Last Longer

Naturally, this is one of the biggest and best benefits that comes from using permanent RV roof coatings. You want your RV to last for a long time, and these coatings make that possible. The roof is exposed to UV light from the sun, rain, snow, hail, sleet, debris and twigs, and more. Over time, they are going to degrade your roof. Eventually, elements such as leaks and drafts will occur.

RV Roof Coatings

However, when you take the initiative to use RV Liquid Roof, you will not have to worry quite as much. The product can provide your RV roof with an added layer of protection that helps to keep it safe for up to two decades. This means you can enjoy your RV for much longer without worrying about leaks that could cause severe damage, which we discuss next.

You Can Prevent Leaks

Leaks are the bane of any roof, and that certainly includes the roof for your RV. Few things are as problematic for an RV. Not only will it be uncomfortable to have the rain getting inside, it will also cause serious damage. It can rot away parts of the RV, and it can create mold and mildew. Before long, the RV will be the last place that you want to spend time. Fortunately, the coatings can provide you with protection from leaks. It can prevent leaks from occurring in the future, and even better, it can stop leaks that might already be present.

Comfortable Inside

One of the other benefits of a permanent RV coating like RV Liquid Roof is that it can help to keep the temperatures inside more comfortable. Because it is white, it will reflect the sun, so you will not have to worry as much about the temperatures rising too high in the summer. This will help to make the RV a comfortable place to relax when you are out camping, and since the RV won’t heat up as much during the day, it means that it should start to cool off more quickly when the sun sets.

Of course, these are just three of the reasons that you might want to choose a permanent RV coating for your vehicle. If you truly want to protect your investment – and an RV is a hefty investment – this is one of the best ways that you can do it. Even better, you don’t have to hire someone to do this for you if you don’t want. RV Liquid Roof is a simple to apply product that you can do on your own in no time at all. If there is one thing you do for your RV this year, it should be using liquid roof repair coatings. You will not regret it.

Is Liquid Roof the Right Repair Product for Your RV?

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Brian McCallister

Over time, your RV is subject to aging and deterioration. That’s evident over the entire vehicle, from the engine and transmission to the seals around the windows. However, nowhere is it more apparent and dangerous than with the roof. The roof is one of the most critical components of your RV’s body, and failure can cause catastrophic damage. Keeping it in good condition is vital, but are liquid roof applications the right option for you?

Why Liquid Roof Coatings?

Why should you consider going with a liquid roof coating product for your RV? It’s simple – your roof is most likely made from EPDM, which is a type of rubber. It offers quite a few benefits, including strength, UV resistance, durability and low weight.

However, it does dry and become brittle over time. If left unaddressed, this can lead to serious damage, including water leaks and even complete roof failure in serious instances. You can avoid this by refreshing the surface of your roof periodically with a liquid roof product.

There are quite a few reasons to choose a liquid application rather than another type of repair, or even roof replacement. One is the ease of application – applying a new coat of liquid roof product is far simpler than other options. It’s also faster, and much more cost effective. With that being said, there are several different products on the market that do a similar job, but are not similar in terms of results, cost and other factors.

Choosing between the Products on the Market

When it comes to liquid roof products, there are several competing products on the market. One of those is liquid urethane, which offers excellent performance. However, it’s very costly, and requires multiple coats to provide the protection that you need. Another option is acrylic. It’s cheap and wildly available, offers good UV resistance, and only takes one coat.

RV Liquid Roof Coatings

However, ponding water can quickly cause it to peel up, leaving you without the protection that you need for your RV. Finally, there are EPDM-based liquid roof coatings. These are made from the same material as your original roof, and bond directly to it with just one coat. They’re completely waterproof from the second they are applied, and impervious to ponding.

Liquid Roof and Its Benefits

EPDM liquid coatings are available from a wide range of companies, but they all vary somewhat in terms of formulation. Liquid Roof is a leading product, offering a number of important advantages and benefits.

Faster Repair: One of the most important benefits of Liquid Roof is the fact that it requires just one coat. Simply spread it, roll it, and you’re done. It requires some curing time, but a single coat is all that’s necessary.

Less Cost: Because only a single coat is needed, and because just one gallon will cover up to 200-square feet, you’ll spend less on Liquid Roof than you will competing products.

Immediate Protection: Liquid Roof offers immediate water protection from the second it is applied. While it takes a few hours to dry to the touch, it is waterproof immediately. With that being said, exposure of uncured material to heavy rain may result in dimpling (but not water leaks).

As you can see, repairing your RV’s roof does not need to be a hassle. Liquid Roof offers the cost-effective, simple application that you need. Most RV owners can recoat their roof in just a matter of hours, making this an ideal way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon, and eliminating the prospect of water damage from leaks.

6 Tips to Help You Choose the Right RV Roof Coating

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Brian McCallister

Unless your RV is brand new, you can bet that the roof has started to degrade a bit. That’s natural – it’s exposed to harsh sunlight, freezing temperatures, rain, sleet, snow, salt and more. It also has to put up with the sheer forces created by driving. All of that takes a toll, and over time, your roof will degrade. The good news is that an RV roof coating can give your recreational vehicle a new lease on life, and an almost-new roof. How do you choose the right coating, though?

1. Check the Type of Roof

First things first – you need to check the type of roof your RV has. There’s a good chance that it will be made from EPDM rubber. If so, then you should use a rubber RV roof coating product. However, you might have a fiberglass roof (rare) or a roof made out of TPO (even rarer). Both of these can be repaired using EPDM roof coatings, but you will need to prime them first.

2. Check for Holes and Other Structural Damage

Most RV roof leaks stem from age-related deterioration. However, some of them stem from physical damage. Falling branches from trees that you park under are the prime source of this type of damage, but there are others. Any structural damage must be repaired before you apply any type of RV roof coating.

3. Check the Flexibility of the Cured Product

Before buying any type of RV roof coating, check to determine how flexible it will be once applied and cured. Remember that your RV’s roof must deal with stresses that are not found with other types of roofs, such as the sheering forces that come with going around curves. This means that roofs must be very flexible, and yet strong enough to resist wind and rain. Not all RV roof coating products are up to this task.

4. Verify How Long for Full Waterproofing

Unless you are lucky enough to own a business that services RVs, you’re going to be applying the roof coating product outside, and it will need to remain outside so that it can dry and cure. The problem here is that some products can take a very long time to become waterproof. What happens if a sudden thunderstorm comes up? It could ruin all your hard work. The right coating product will be waterproof from the moment it’s applied to the roof, ensuring robust protection.

5. Verify the Number of Coats Needed

The right RV roof coating product can be applied with just a single coat. Many products on the market require at least two, if not more coats. What’s more, there are many products that require you wait a number of hours between applying the coats. This just increases the time you have to spend working on the RV. Choose a product with single application capability.

6. Verify the Tools Needed to Apply the RV Roof Coating

Finally, make sure you know what tools will be needed to apply the coating. Some products can be applied using little more than a squeegee and a paint roller, while others may require specialty tools for proper installation. The fewer tools you need to purchase for this project, the better.

With the tips we’ve provided, you should be able to find an RV roof coating that fits your needs, that can be applied quickly and with a minimum of fuss, that offers instant waterproofing, and that still manages to deliver the flexibility and strength needed by RV roofs.

Understanding Your Options When It Comes to RV Roof Coatings

Posted on August 20, 2018 by Brian McCallister

The most common type of roof used for RVs today is rubber – aluminum and fiberglass roofs do exist, but they’re rare and becoming rarer. There are quite a few reasons for this, including rubber’s affordability, durability and weather resistance. However, you will need to reseal your rubber roof over time. There are several different RV roof coatings on the market that can do the job, but they’re not all created equal. Knowing the differences between these products will help you make a more informed decision.

Acrylic

At the bottom of the list in terms of both price and performance, we find acrylic. It’s relatively affordable, and easy to apply. However, it does not hold up the same as the three options we discuss below. It is also susceptible to damage from ponding water. Even a small area where water stands will eventually suffer from cracking and peeling, allowing water to leak under the rest of the coating, and even into the RV. Acrylic should be avoided if at all possible because of these issues.

Silicone

Silicone offers much better protection than acrylic, and it is UV resistant, as well. It is not susceptible to ponding water, either. However, it is the most expensive option out there. It also collects dirt and debris, and can also suffer from mold and mildew growth. This can make cleaning it very difficult. Finally, you cannot use any other material to coat over silicone – it will only adhere to silicon RV roof coatings.

Urethane

Urethane is less expensive than silicone, but better performing than acrylic. It offers UV resistance and heat reflectivity to keep your RV cooler during the summer months, and the material is actually pretty durable, to boot. However, it does not last as long as some products, and the strong odor during installation can be an issue, particularly for those with breathing issues. It also requires two coats to seal completely, which adds time and complexity to your project.

EPDM

Finally, we have EPDM liquid rubber (ethylene propylene diene monomer). This is a synthetic rubber material that offers much better wear resistance than natural rubber. It is also highly UV resistant, and goes on with just a single coat. Unlike other options we’ve discussed in our list of RV roof coatings, EPDM products (like RV Liquid Roof) are waterproof on application, and while they do require time to fully cure, will protect your roof from the second they are applied with no wait time for them to become waterproof.

How to Tell If You Need to Reapply a Roof Coating

Now that we’ve discussed some of the available RV roof coatings and seen that EPDM is the better option, we need to talk about how to determine if you need to reapply that coating in the first place.

There are some obvious signs that you can watch for, such as holes punched through the roof by falling branches. If you notice water leaking within your RV, or discolorations on the ceiling or walls that indicate a water leak, you definitely need to take immediate action. Other signs that your RV’s roof is aging and in need of a bit of care include seams that are pulling apart, caulking around flashing and vents pulling away and the like.

Ultimately, the best option is to take a proactive stance toward roof maintenance. Inspect your roof periodically – once or twice per year – for signs of wear and tear, or damage. Keep an eye out inside for signs of water leaks, too. Then, make sure you use high quality roof coatings to reseal and recondition that roof.