Saturday, August 17, 2019

How to Properly Seal and Repair Your RV Roof

Taking care of your RV’s roof is a large part of RV maintenance. This is one of the most important parts of your mobile home-away-from-home, after all, and deserves a little TLC from time to time. Even the most durable roofing products are going to face damage and wear over time, so the best thing that you can do is to learn how to repair and seal your roof for the best chances of avoiding future issues. That starts by making an assessment of the roof to decide what your next steps will be.

What is the Problem?

Water damage is the leading cause of RV repairs, and it usually is a result of a leaky roof that was improperly maintained or incorrectly repaired. Before you do anything, you need to figure out what problem you are trying to solve. If, for example, you are looking to reseal all of the seams on your roof, you will be looking for the best RV roof seam sealant. If you need to repair cracks or fill in missing areas on a rubber roof, a liquid roofing product might be a better option.

Identify the problem so that you can choose the correct solution. After all, it doesn’t matter how well you know how to seal or repair things if you aren’t sure of exactly what needs done.

Choose the Right Products

The increasing demand for universal products has created a new place for brands that cater to RV owners with all types of roofing materials. However, there are still many repair and sealing products that are uniquely designed to work with a specific material or another. For example, you need to avoid petroleum oils and citric acids in products that you are going to use on a rubber roof, because these can cause irreparable damage.

Read the product information to find reputable brands. Look at repair kits, which might offer a better deal depending on the types of repairs that you are dealing with. Finally, make absolutely sure that the products you buy are compatible with your roofing material. A great deal on the supposed best RV roof seam sealant is no good if the specific adhesive is damaging to your fiberglass roof, for example.

Use Your Resources

Some people assume that they have to take their RV to a shop or dealership for a roof repair. The fact of the matter is that this simply isn’t true. In fact, the majority of resealing jobs, repairs, and even full replacements can be done by the average handy person, with the right information. Take advantage of online RV communities and articles that can help you learn the best products and methods for repairing and sealing your roof. Watch YouTube videos of tricky repairs or things you aren’t certain of so that you can follow along.

Preparation is Key

The biggest part of most RV repair and sealing jobs is removing the old sealant or damaged roofing material. Having a clean, smooth surface to place the patch, pour in liquid rubber, or install brand new sealant around all the seams is going to make all the difference. Repairs will last longer and seams will be stronger when the area is cleaned and prepped prior to applying the new materials.

Wrap Up

To sum it up, it’s all about preparation and knowing what you are getting into when dealing with RV sealants and repair jobs. Take the time to learn about the project ahead of you and find the best RV roof seam sealant or repair kit for the job. Remove all of the damage so that you can start with a clean slate, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. If the job is too big or simply outside of your abilities, there are repair shops and dealerships that can help. Just make sure that you shop around to find the best service and rates before you schedule your service.

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