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.

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.

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.

Best Product for Top Quality RV Roof Repair

Posted on June 15, 2013 by Brian McCallister

For any RV or motor home, there comes a time when the roof might start to leak. All those getaways and long trips in the rain, snow, and intense sun, lead to the roof of your RV becoming brittle and damaged. If you want to find an affordable and easy way to do RV roof repair, you should look into the amazing product called Liquid Roof. This product is an advanced form of EPDM (ethylene, propylene, diene monomer, M class), which is basically synthetic rubber and which provides a long lasting seal and durable roof covering.

Benefits of Liquid Roofing Products

Before the liquefied version of this product was introduced, the RV roof repair was done using sheets of actual rubber. This became tedious and was not as effective in sealing the RV roof. The liquid product gets into all the tiniest cracks, making sure that the RV roofing repair is done perfectly the first time. Basically this product can go anywhere and can also be used for a variety of other applications including motor homes, commercial vehicles, trailers and more, plus it can also be used on numerous materials including fiberglass, metal, wood, concrete, foam, and much more.

The single ply EPDM rubber has stood the test of time for over 30 years and the most unique features of this type of rubber are that it is completely UV resistant and unaffected by ozone, and it also can withstand extremely high temperature of over 300 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the ideal RV roofing repair product, that can retain its elasticity for much longer than other types of rubber sealants, and that it also resists fatigue and brittleness that usually comes from exposure over time.

How the RV Roof Repair Works

When you are dealing with an RV roof that has already been repaired using a different sealant, a special primer product must be used underneath the Liquid Roof. Other than this, you will simply apply the liquefied roofing product in just one coat using a paint brush, roller brush, or even a squeegee. This will ensure that the product runs into all the possible cracks and leak points, even those that you cannot necessarily see, and ensures an exceptionally tightly sealed roof. The roof will be waterproof instantly, and completely resistant to any other harsh conditions. It will also remain in perfect, flexible condition during freezing, icy weather.

What Damage Can RV Roof Repair Fix?

Any kinds of damage to your RV roof can be repaired completely using something like Liquid Roof. Your RV roof might have been scratched from branches and has started to rust. Leaks could be forming around the vents and aerials on top, or where the roof meets the edge of the RV. Whatever kinds of problems you need to repair, the liquefied rubber roofing product is definitely the way to go, as a top of the line, uniquely well suited item that works for any outdoor vehicle.

Using such a great product your RV roof repair will be a cost effective, hassle free process.

RV Roof Coatings

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Brian McCallister

Throughout the years much has changed for the RV enthusiasts in terms of roof repair. For modern and highly effective RV roof coatings, liquid epdm rubber seems to be the most effective product options available to consumers today and has one of the longest success histories of any RV roof sealant in the industry. A liquid rubber RV roof coating can be applied very easily without any real prior experience, education. There are numerous videos on youtube entitled Epdm Coatings that show you first hand the application and benefits. These kinds of RV roof coatings can be implemented on an RV for a variety of different reasons; one reason that an RV roof coating will often be used is that there is some kind of problem or defect in the current RV roof structure that is exposing the vehicle to potential water damage and other problems that can arise from a compromised RV roof. Another reason for using this kind of RV roof coating is for the purpose of improving the fuel efficiency of the vehicle; fuel efficiency is typically decreased substantially when there are any kinds of holes in the roofing due to increased drag on the vehicle when it is moving. For the benefit of consumers interested in RV roof coatings, some additional information about the most frequently used variation of RV roof coating will now be provided.

Composition

Liquid rubber RV roof coatings are typically formulated using a kind of liquid EPDM coating which can be quickly and easily applied to an entire RV roof or just to small sections of it, if desired. This kind of formulation is designed to dry quickly after being applied to the roof of an RV, and has been proven to be equally strong and durable as a factory applied RV roof.

Weather-Proof RV Roofing Surface

When this type of RV roof sealant is applied to an RV, it creates a totally weather-proof roofing material that is equally effective at keeping out water and other weather related elements that can potentially cause damage or complication to the function of the roof. This is a very important quality for an RV roofing material to have, since an inability to keep out the weather will quickly compromise the overall structure of a recreational vehicle.

Easy Installation

Virtually any able bodied individual is going to be capable of easily installing the kinds of RV roof coatings that rely on a liquid rubber formulation. Only one coating is needed in nearly all cases, and this kind of roof coating can be applied using some kind of brush, roller, or other application utensil that may be preferred by an RV owner or RV refurbishing professional.