Reputable
RV dealers will tell you that the roof of your RV is the most vulnerable part. RVs that are kept under a roof or shelter will last longer, but the roof is still going to be the most likely place to develop leaks or other damage. And once your RV roof is damaged it is almost certain that the rest of the RV will begin to suffer from water damage in a short time.
Seek Expert Assistance
Established
RV dealers are going to be the best and fastest way to restore an RV roof. Because Rv roofs are made of a variety of materials, a professional dealer is going to know all of the tricks to restore roofs of any type. RV dealers know which materials to use on your RV, and have the added advantage of having the tools and materials available to get the job quickly. It may be feasible to repair minor leaks at home, but fully restoring the roof deserves the attention and experience that only comes from years in the RV repair and maintenance business.
Accessing Your RV Roof
Keep in mind that most RV roofs are not designed for an adult to move around on them. The easiest way to access the roof is by placing planks on the roof that span the width of the RV. For larger RV models or units with extensive damage, it may be necessary to use scaffolding to avoid placing unnecessary weight on the roof at all.
Inspect the Roof Carefully
The first step in RV roof restoration is to identify the problems your roof is suffering from. To do that, you will need to clean the roof thoroughly with cleaning products suitable for your roof type. Your RV dealers will have these products available. Never use petroleum or citrus-based
products when cleaning your RV as they can be very damaging to rubber-based sealants, creating new leaks where none existed before.
Look for loose or missing screws, holes caused by fallen or low-hanging branches, sealants suffering from drying out or the expansion and retraction caused by seasonal weather variations. The general locations of leaks may be found by inspecting the interior ceiling, but it will require a detailed roof inspection to find the exact place that is leaking, and you are likely to find other problems areas that have not yet exhibited interior symptoms.
Reseal Potential Leaks
It is important to use the correct materials for making
RV roof repairs. Rubber-based roof sealant is suitable for small leaks, but larger damaged areas will need to be repaired using materials ranging from fiberglass tape to aluminum sheeting. Failure to use the right material will result in temporary fixes that quickly degrade, generating even more expenses in a short period of time.
Keeping your RV roof in good condition can extend the life of your motorhome by many years because roof leaks often lead to ceiling and wall damages that can cause the Rv to deteriorate quickly. Keeping the unit properly sealed also reduces the chance of mold or fungal growths that create an unhealthy atmosphere for your family to live in when traveling.
