[ad_1]
Conserving a leak-free roof over your head is without doubt one of the most necessary issues you are able to do for an RV of any kind. If you happen to don’t have an excellent roof, the remainder of your RV or motorhome is compromised. Top-of-the-line methods to deal with your roof proper is to do a daily RV roof inspection.
It’s crucial that you simply add an RV roof inspection to your annual upkeep routine. Even in the event you’re not curious about doing upkeep work your self, it can save you time and cash just by giving it a fast test.
How Typically Ought to I Examine My RV Roof?
Seasonal RVers ought to examine their RV roof at the very least twice a yr. Examine at first of the RV season and once more on the finish of your tenting season earlier than winterizing your RV.
Full-time RVers want to think about common RV roof upkeep at the very least three to 4 instances a yr. Make it a quarterly test and mix it with an intensive roof cleansing. You’ll already be up on the roof for common RV upkeep, so cleansing whilst you’re at it’s a good suggestion.
Take a look at some choices for RV cleansing merchandise. And don’t overlook, nationwide Tenting World Service Facilities supply free roof inspections.
Seek the advice of your RV proprietor’s guide for really helpful roof inspection intervals out of your producer.
How To Do an RV Roof Inspection
Water leaking via your roof is a severe challenge. It causes mould, mildew, and different unhealthy situations. In easy phrases, it is going to destroy your RV roof. So periodic inspections are the easiest way to keep away from roof points. Right here’s the place to begin.
Step 1: Set up Your RV Roof Kind
An RV may have both a walkable or non-walkable roof. It will decide whether or not the roof is rated to carry an individual’s physique weight. As for the inside building, RV roofs are fortified by trusses and decking that kind their structural skeleton. Additional inside, insulation is used for retaining warmth or chilly throughout the camper itself.
Often, an RV roof membrane is a single layer of fabric stretched tightly over the decking. It’s hooked up with a heavy adhesive between the membrane’s underside and decking, then secured with mechanical fasteners alongside the sides.
For the outside membrane, RVs can make the most of EPDM, TPO, PVC, fiberglass, aluminum alloy, or galvanized sheet steel. Right here’s a fast breakdown of these three preliminary acronyms:
- EPDM = Ethylene propylene diene monomer (aka an artificial rubber roof membrane)
- TPO = Thermoplastic polyolefin
- PVC = Polyvinyl chloride
There’s no unanimous alternative for the very best roof membrane, to not point out the professionals and cons of a fiberglass roof versus aluminum alloy or galvanized sheet steel. For the needs of your RV roof inspection, you’ll merely have to know which RV roof kind you’re working with.
With roof membranes, you usually can’t inform the distinction between the 2 most typical manufacturers (Alpha Methods or Dicor) by them. The perfect and best approach to inform the distinction is by asking the RV dealership or RV producer. They may let you understand which model was used based mostly on the yr and mannequin of your RV.
If you happen to’re a Good Sam member, you can too name the Elite Service Tech Advisor line to get this information. Why is figuring out the distinction such a giant deal? The kind of roof membrane you’ve determines the RV roof coatings you should use to make sure your alternative is chemically appropriate together with your designated model.
Step 2: Examine the Roof for Cracks, Tears, or Holes
In case your RV roof is walkable, rigorously use your RV ladder to stand up there and test for injury. On a non-walkable roof, safely examine the roof from a sturdy telescoping ladder. Search for cracks, tears, or holes within the roof membrane. Apparent indicators of injury may cause points in a short time. If you happen to discover something, you must:
1. Take steps to repair it by yourself (as urged beneath).
2. Get to a service middle as quickly as potential.
RV roof injury will be attributable to a wide range of elements. One of many massive ones is the climate. In case your RV simply went via a severe storm the place particles, sticks, branches, or different objects had an opportunity to break your RV’s roof, you must examine it.
Assess the final cleanliness of each the RV lap sealant and the roof membrane. A high quality inspection can’t be carried out if the RV roof membrane is roofed with filth, mud, leaves, or mould. Rub your hand over the membrane floor to see if it feels chalky. In that case, even the greatest RV sealant could not adhere.
If you happen to’ve bought a grimy roof, cease and wash your RV earlier than persevering with your inspection.
Step 3: Examine Roof Seams and Seals
The RV roof sealant on the membrane by no means turns strong. It maintains a level of flexibility that varies by model. So your subsequent step in a correct roof inspection is to examine the RV lap sealant for cracks, voids, and adhesions.
When inspecting for cracks, know that floor cracks within the sealant crust should not unusual and aren’t a problem. Deep cracks that penetrate into the lap sealant are of concern. Fortunately, in the event you discover deep penetrating cracks within the lap sealant, these will be repaired with somewhat touch-up work (extra on that later).
When inspecting for voids, you’re in search of lacking silicone sealant. Voids within the lap sealant might permit water into the roof cavity, which will be the beginning of a really pricey restore.
Whilst you’re up on the roof in search of apparent indicators of injury, you also needs to have a look at any seams or seals alongside the sides and transition moldings of the roof. Whereas many RVs have a single-piece rubber membrane that eliminates points round seals or seams, that’s not true for all of them.
Step 4: Examine Round RV Vents, A/C Models, and Different Roof Home equipment
Simply because the roof membrane is one piece doesn’t imply it’s absent of seams and seals. Anyplace the roof connects to your RV or journey trailer’s physique is a possible entry level for a leak. Most RVs even have roof racks, vents, and home equipment like A/C models and satellite tv for pc antennas on their roof. If their seals put on out, these equipment will be the perpetrator behind a leaking roof.
Examine the seams and seals across the attachment factors to your RV roof vents, air con unit, photo voltaic panels, and another roof-mounted equipment. If you happen to see cracked, broken, or worn-out supplies, have knowledgeable take a more in-depth look or restore the realm your self in the event you’re snug doing so.
Step 5: Apply New RV Roof Sealant as Wanted
All roof membranes present safety towards the weather. Nevertheless, an RV sealant is a vital a part of the ultimate product. An RV rubber roof sealant is utilized on high of the membrane to maintain the seams, joints, and transition factors from leaking.
For small fixes, listed below are a pair widespread RV lap sealants you would possibly want:
RV roof sealing tape can be a lovely choice for repairing corners or vertical surfaces. For resealing a complete RV roof, you’ll need a rubber roof coating remedy. After all, in the event you’re not sure what you want, test your proprietor’s guide earlier than purchasing for RV roof restore and upkeep merchandise.
Simply make sure that the product you select is appropriate together with your RV roof materials. And with regards to making use of RV roof sealant, seek the advice of the product producer for step-by-step directions.
Professional Tip: If there’s a bead of water rolling out in entrance of the lap sealant as you’re making use of, this means your roof has suffered vital water infiltration. Seek the advice of a service middle, as your RV could require a extra intensive restore as a result of water remaining will stop correct sealant adhesion and in addition trigger injury underneath the roof membrane.
How To Seal RV Roof Seams
An annual roof inspection is the easiest way to test your roof’s well being and know when it’s time to reseal seams alongside the sides of the roof, in addition to round roof vents, skylights, satellite tv for pc antennas, air conditioners, and different roof-mounted equipment.
Instruments You’ll Want
- Self-leveling lap sealant for the flat elements of the roof (discover the kind appropriate together with your RV’s roof materials)
- Non-sag or non-leveling sealant for the transitions the place the roofline radiuses over on the ends, sides, or corners (however earlier than the totally vertical sides the place 100% silicone sealant must be used)
- 2” disposable paintbrush
- Plastic putty knife
- Caulking gun
- Denatured alcohol
- Store towels/rags
Steps for Sealing RV Roof Seams
Earlier than you start this course of, flip a watch to the climate. The best situations for resealing RV roof seams are sunny and heat. Keep away from beginning this course of if rain is within the forecast, as this may impair the sealant’s capability to dry fully whereas additionally making a slipping hazard whenever you’re climbing and descending your RV’s ladder, in addition to when transferring about on the roof.
1. Take away the outdated sealant. Fastidiously use the plastic putty knife to take away as a lot of the outdated sealant as potential. A delicate contact is required to keep away from damaging the rubber roof membrane.
*This is usually a time-consuming job, particularly on a big RV roof. Working in sections could make the duty really feel extra manageable, however learn via the remainder of the steps earlier than continuing.
2. Clear the realm with a rubber roof cleaner. Make sure the cleansing product you select is designed for RVs and protected to make use of in your RV’s roof membrane.
3. Apply a small quantity of denatured alcohol to a rag or towel and wipe the roof floor clear. Don’t apply the denatured alcohol on to the roof or pour it instantly on the outdated sealant.
4. Lay a heavy bead of sealant alongside the seam and use a 2” disposable brush to work it into the nooks and crannies.
5. Unfold the thick layer out to increase from ½” past the screw heads to ½” previous the unique sealant line. Don’t paint the sealant out too skinny, leaving it thick and permitting gravity to be just right for you.
Whether or not your RV roof is walkable or not, make it a behavior to offer it a periodic visible inspection. It will prevent from large-scale repairs down the street and hold the inside of your RV or journey trailer heat and dry to your subsequent adventures!
How usually do you examine your roof? Go away a remark beneath.
If you happen to’re nonetheless studying the ins and outs of RV upkeep, take a look at our downloadable RV possession and upkeep booklet!
[ad_2]
