When you first bought your RV, you likely envisioned years, or even decades, of fun, travelling around the countryside and visiting family or friends. You expected your investment to last you a very long time. So when you first suspected that your RV roof leaks, you likely felt more than a bit put out. Those issues can crop up much faster than anyone expects, and they can get worse in just a few days if they aren’t promptly taken care of. Wondering what causes that sneaky leak in the first place, and how you can fix it?
Causes of RV Roof Leaks
RV roofs can be damaged in many ways. Whether your roof is made of metal, rubber, or polymer, it can develop leaks. Most commonly, leaks are seen around fixtures, such as skylights or vents in the roof. But that doesn’t mean that you won’t see leaks elsewhere, especially around the edges where the roof meets the wall of the RV. Here are some common causes of leaks and damage:
- Sun exposure
- Falling limbs
- Rain, snow, or hail
- Extreme temperature changes
- Time
Yep – basically, everything that your RV roof faces every time you leave home with it, is what causes leaks. But don’t worry. While you can’t exactly avoid sunlight and time, you can do things to make your RV roof much tougher than it is. You can do this before you notice any leaks, or use these steps to address RV roof leaks when you do notice them.
How to Fix RV Roof Leaks
If there are holes in your RV roof, you’ll need to seal those. A liquid sealant acts like a glue to piece your rubber roof back together, and can be used around fixtures like skylights and vents.
But more importantly, applying a protective coating over a roof once the holes are sealed up, will help ensure that it withstands damage in the future. Liquid rubber, or EPDM, is a paint-on substance that anyone can put on their RV roof. Leaks will be a thing of the past for at least a decade when this is done correctly. This product adds a durable protective layer against falling limbs or hail, resists water, reflects UV rays, and expands and contracts with temperature changes to prevent cracking in the roof membrane. Liquid EPDM can be used to address RV roof leaks in any material, including metal, rubber, and polymer. And it takes just a weekend to apply this yourself. Simply paint it on and let it cure in dry, sunny weather for a couple of days. Easy as pie!
It is a drag when you realize that your RV roof is leaking, but once you learn how affordable and easy it is to protect your roof, you’ll wonder why you worried in the first place. And as a bonus, applying this protective coating can also make it easier to heat and cool your RV! Hit the road with confidence in your RV roof.