Looking for maintenance that extends your RV roof lifespan? You’ve come to the right place. Taking these steps will help prevent leaks, water damage and overall deterioration that shorten the lifespan of the roofing material and ultimately the life of your RV.
Cleaning is the first step of your RV leaks repair. Manufacturers use different roofing materials. You can check your owner’s manual for the type of material that was used and see if there are any recommendations for cleansers.
In general, you should never use cleansers containing harsh abrasives, citrus acid or petroleum based solvents. A mild cleanser designed specifically for cleaning the vehicle (including the roof) is the best choice.
It is usually necessary to climb up on top of the vehicle to clean the RV roof but not all RV roofs were designed to be walked on. You can consult the owner’s manual again to find out whether or not your roofing system will hold your weight.
If you are not comfortable climbing up on the roof, many RV dealers offer this type of service. They take care of the cleaning and also offer treatments that will extend the life, reduce chalking and inhibit oxidation of the roofing material. RV roof repair can be done with liquid roof coatings which is a roof leaks repair product. Liquid EPDM Rubber is one of the products that also help in preventing the roof from external environment.
To do the cleaning yourself, you will first want to sweep away any debris such as leaves. Branches should be removed carefully, not dragged across the roof’s surface.
While you are sweeping away any loose debris, you will want to inspect the roof for any kind of damage. Scratches, gouges and other types of damage should be repaired as soon as possible. Inspect around any vents or openings to check for cracks or chips in the sealants. Inspection in very important before doing the RV roof repair and indentifying the RV roof leaks.
You can reseal seams and other areas with an appropriate sealant. Your RV dealer should have a product to recommend for this purpose. You should do the resealing before you wash and rinse the roof.
You can use a soft sponge-type mop along with a mild cleanser to remove dirt. You will need to keep your garden hose with you to rinse off the roof as you wash it. Avoid spraying water in vents and any other openings that may be up on the roof. The water could damage the interior of the vehicle.
You will also want to make sure that the sides are rinsed as you are cleaning. Cleansers draining down the sides of the vehicle can leave streaks that are difficult to remove.
Special RV roof repair coatings for RV roofs can also help to extend the roof’s lifespan. There are products you can purchase to do it yourself or you can contact your RV dealer to find out if they offer this service.
With proper care and maintenance, the lifespan of the RV roof should be equivalent to the life of the vehicle. You will enjoy your trips more if you’re confident in your roof’s condition.