Recoating Your RV Roof: When and How Often To Do It

Summer is here, and many people are hitting the road in their RV, exploring new places, visiting family, and enjoying the privacy and freedom that their rolling home affords. However, if you haven't inspected your RV roof lately, your vacation time will go from fun to disaster the first time you encounter a heavy storm. Sealcoating your RV roof regularly can protect the integrity of its structure and give you peace of mind that your RV will retain its value.

Why Do I Need to Recoat My RV Roof?

Recreational vehicles, or RVs, are notorious for leaks. Plus, the fact that these vehicles may often be sitting unused for weeks or even months at a time means that you may not realize that your RV leaks until it's a big one that damages the interior of the structure.

If you own an RV, there are several things you need to know about inspecting the roof and ensuring that it can protect you, your family, and your belongings.

Benefits of Recoating Your RV Roof

There are many reasons you should regularly recoat your RV roof, sealing it against not just water damage, but sun, wind, and wear and tear.

Extends the life of the roof

Like any type of motor vehicle, RV roofs are built to withstand tough weather, from snow to hail to a deluge. However, the roof material can still wear out over time. Coating the roof with sealant regularly ensures that you can extend the life of the roof, and often the life of the vehicle in general. RV rubber roof coating is easy for even a new DIY handyman to apply.

Prevents leaks and drafts

Rubber RV coating can also help protect your RV against leaks and drafts. Small cracks in the roof, or separation between pieces, allow both air and water into the interior, both of which can be uncomfortable. Plus, if there are drafts in the RV, then your heating and cooling system have to work that much harder to maintain a comfortable temperature, which, in turn, can cause that to wear out more quickly.

More comfortable interior

Many people prefer RVs over tents or pop-up campers because they're warm and dry. Unfortunately, when your roof is leaking or you feel drafts all night, you're not getting the most out of your motorhome.

Reduce repair bills

Everyone knows that the earlier you catch a problem, the cheaper it is to fix, and that's very true of RV roofs. If you find a small leak or drafty place, you may be able to seal over it, to protect it. However, if you aren't inspecting your roof on a regular basis, you'll miss the small problems. If a leak goes unchecked, it can grow, and may cause water damage to the vehicle.

When Should I Apply RV Roof Coating?

The best time to apply rubber RV roof coating to your vehicle is in the early morning or evening when it's cooler and the roof isn't exposed to full sun. Check your weather forecast for a period of time when it's dry and not very humid, as the coating can take up to 48 hours to set and cure.

When you use Liquid Rubber Sealant products, be sure to carefully follow the application instructions. These will indicate how long the product takes to cure so that you can schedule the application around weather patterns where you live.

How Often Do I Need To Seal My RV Roof?

You should inspect your RV roof and the rest of the vehicle every six months to catch small problems before they become large, expensive ones. However, you don't need to recoat the seal on your RV roof every six months. In fact, about every two to four years is ideal, depending on the kind of weather you have and the type of environment you drive through on a regular basis. Certain kinds of climates can cause more wear and tear on the roof than others. And always, after a large storm or heavy snow, inspect the roof for damage.

What kind of sealant products should I use on my RV?

Liquid Rubber created a line of products specifically for RV roof coating use. Our online catalog has an extensive selection, so you can find one that suits your needs. The best all-around product is the RV Coating along with the Liquid Rubber EPDM Primer, which provides the best protection against the elements.

We've even created an easy-to-follow video, showing you the best way to apply liquid rubber products, along with tips for the best results. After all, you'll only get maximum effectiveness when you're using our products properly.

How Do I Know My RV Roof is Damaged?

While some indications that your RV roof is damaged or has a leak are obvious, such as water streaming in during a rainstorm, other signs of damage may not be as readily apparent. Understanding what to look for can make your inspections more efficient and bring your attention to problems when they're small enough to be a fairly fast and inexpensive repair.

Here are some things that indicate roof damage.

Corrosion

If you have metal as part of the roofing structure or material, then water damage can quickly lead to corrosion. You may notice that the metal is discolored, or even that it's rusty or flaking off.

Water damage

Water damage can take many forms. The interior of the RV may smell like wet newspapers, which indicates mildew, or you may notice mold inside. Black mold can be especially insidious and can cause health issues for both people and pets. If you spot black mold, you may need a professional remediation service. Other signs of water damage are peeling wallpaper, discolored streaks down the walls, or damp patches on the fabric in the interior.

Uneven temperatures or drafts

If there's a noticeable cold spot, or if you feel a draft, that indicates there's a hole or crack that needs to be fixed. Or, if you notice that you're having to run the RV heater or air conditioner more often than usual in order to achieve the same temperature you like, then there could be hidden drafts. Sometimes, you may need a professional to give the vehicle a thorough inspection, finding leaks or drafts that you may overlook.

Conclusion

Getting the most enjoyment out of your RV means keeping it in great working order, free of leaks, drafts, and exterior damage. Keeping a well-maintained RV roof ensures that your vehicle is comfortable to ride in, that there are no water leaks that can cause damage, including mold and mildew, and that there are no drafts, which can make staying in the RV very uncomfortable. When you conduct regular inspections and reseal your RV roof, you have peace of mind. And, when you use Liquid Rubber Sealcoat products, you know that you're using the best products with the strongest reputation.