Your RV is an important investment. It provides you with freedom and enjoyment, the ability to go where you want without having to worry about renting a hotel room, and more. It’s an incredible experience to own one. However, many owners find that their experience is eventually tarnished by a roof leak.

RV roofs are not like the roofs of residential homes – they’re thin and light and designed to provide protection while being easily mobile. They can be compromised by many things, ranging from falling tree branches to too much sun exposure. Thankfully, Liquid EPDM roof sealant can help get you back on the road once more! Here’s what you need to know about fixing that RV roof leak with Liquid EPDM.

Locate the Leak

First, you’ll need to locate the leak. This will require a visual inspection. It is often best to start inside the RV – look for signs of water leaks on the ceiling and the walls. These will appear as dark stains, often reddish or brownish in color. Once you’ve found such evidence, there is a good bet that the leak is somewhere nearby. However, that does not necessarily mean that the leak is directly above the stain, as water can leak through the roof membrane, and then run for a distance along the underlayment before it finally leaks into the interior.

Once you’ve found evidence of a leak, you’ll need to get topside. Many RVs have a ladder built into them for just this purpose, but if yours doesn’t, you’ll need to get a tall, steady ladder so you can climb on top. Here, you’ll need to carefully inspect the roof for signs of damage. It might be something obvious – a branch puncture through the roof membrane, for instance.

However, it might be something less conspicuous. Many times, small leaks around flashing and other rooftop seals can translate into big damage within the interior. Check for any loose flashing, or areas of damage around vents and the like. It could also be a leaking seam on the roof.

Repair the Leak

Once you’ve found the leak, it is time to begin the repair process. With Liquid EPDM roof sealant, it should be quick and effective. Here are the steps you’ll need to follow:

• Get your tools together. You’ll need cleaning supplies, as well as a paint roller or brush to apply the sealant. You will also need a razor knife. If you need to remove any old caulking, you’ll also need a scraper.
• Next, you’ll need to cut or scrape away any silicone caulking. If there is a puncture through the roof, you’ll need to trim the edges so that they are not ragged.
• Third, you must clean the roof. It must be practically spotless for the repair to work, so you will need a scrubbing pad and a good cleaner to remove dirt and debris.
• Once you have the entire patch area clean, you can apply the Liquid EPDM roof sealant. Roll it on in a single smooth coat and allow it to dry. It should be dry to the touch within minutes and it is waterproof as soon as you apply it. However, it will take time to cure completely.
• When the patch has cured, test the repair with a water hose to make sure that the leak has been alleviated.

There you have it – simple, effective steps to repairing a minor RV roof leak with Liquid EPDM roof sealant. As a note, you can repair larger sections with Liquid EPDM, as well, up to re-roofing over the entire membrane if necessary, although you’ll have additional prep work for that.