How Often Should You Seal Your RV Roof?

Man sealing RV roof

Published Date: December 29, 2020

Last Updated on April 10, 2023 by Camper Front

The roof is one of the most neglected areas on your RV because as the saying goes, “out of sight is out of mind.” Not cleaning the roof regularly or carrying out a regular inspection of the roof seams could leave you with expensive-to-repair water damages.

But how often should you seal your RV roof? It is recommended to seal your RV roof at least, once per year, and change the entire roof every 10 years. But remember, this is a case-by-case and roof-by-roof issue.

That said, you want to carry out regular inspections of your RV roof for leaks and sealant deterioration at least twice a year in order to prevent any mishaps in your roof.

How Often Should You Seal Your RV Roof?

Depending on the condition of the roof, you need to seal your RV roof once every year. This will help to prevent leaks and also extend the life of your trailer and its roof.

You definitely don’t want a leaking roof while you are out exploring nature. Even if it’s a small hole, it can cause significant damage and expensive repairs with time.

This is why it is highly recommended that trailer owners carry out a regular check-up on the condition of their RVs roof, and have it sealed at least once a year.

There are different causes of leaks in RV roofs, some of which you may not be aware of. Listed Below are some of the top causes of roof leaks in a travel trailer roof.

Why You Need To Reseal Your RV Roof

How Much Does It Cost To Reseal An RV Roof

Below are some of the various reasons why you should reseal your RV roof:

1. Roof Damage

This is The leading cause of a roof leak and it is basically damage to the roof itself. This is caused by falling tree branches, high winds, or sustained weight on the roof, the damage is usually followed by a roof leak.

2. Faulty Sealants

Many of the items placed on an RV roof like an air conditioner or vents are usually sealed using a sealant system.

With time and with constant exposure to the weather elements, the sealants can begin to wear down or even dry up. This causes them to pull away from the seam, this creates cracks and space that allows water to get inside.

3. Aging

Age wears everything down, so as an RV ages, it starts to experience problems. The seal on your RV roof after experiencing years of usage will not have the same capability as it did when it was newly made.

As the roof of RV ages, its effectiveness in protecting the vehicle’s interior diminishes and you may start to experience leakages, regardless of how much care or maintenance you offer.

5. Loosened Screws

Just like with sealants, screws used to hold items like access ladders, the air conditioner, and many other items together can get loose over time. These loosened screws can create enough space for water to pass through and enter the interior part of the roof.

These factors are major contributors to roof leaks on a travel trailer. Aside from these factors, there are still a couple more causes of roof leaks which is why it is recommended to carry out regular check-ups to inspect the condition of your travel trailer’s roof

make sure to check both the inside and the outside, this will enable you to catch any progressing leak problem before they get too far.

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How To Determine If You Need To Reseal Your Roof

There are different types of roofs and they are made out of different materials, such as rubber, TPO, aluminum, and fiberglass.

To determine the best way to take care of your RV roof you have to know what material it is made of and for this, you will need to consult your owner’s manual.

Also, when carrying out your regular check-ups on the roof, you need to know the signs to check out for so you can tell if your roof is in need of a reseal.

When climbing your roof for the inspection, you have to be very careful as a wrongful slip can send you crashing down and we all know the damage that can cause to your body.

You have to note that not all roofs are able to hold a human’s weight on top. If your trailer doesn’t have an attached ladder you can make use of a personal ladder and move it around the perimeter of the roof during your examination.

Once you are on top of the roof, inspect the seams closely for any areas that appear separated from the trailer. You can also make use of a small tool, like a screwdriver or plastic scraper, to poke the sealants to test for elasticity.

If the sealant gives under the applied pressure but returns to its original state, then the sealant is still in good condition but if it doesn’t return to its original state then it needs resealing. This is one of the easiest ways to tell if a trailer needs to be resealed.

How Much Does It Cost To Reseal An RV Roof?

How to Prevent RV Roof Damage

Although you can carry out the resealing process yourself it is recommended to hire the services of a professional. This enables the job to be done much faster and more efficiently than when you carry it out yourself.

However, this comes with a price tag that is way higher than if you were to undertake the job yourself. How much it would cost you to have a professional reseal your trailer roof depends on a couple of factors

this includes the length of your trailer, the materials your roof is made of, and also the amount of labor-intensive work that is involved. On average, a roof resealing job should cost you in the range of a few hundred dollars up to a few thousand.

The good news is you can actually undertake this job yourself at home and unlike many other travel trailer repairs, resealing a roof is a fairly simple job. It doesn’t require a special set of skills or tools, and you can source the needed materials at any RV maintenance store.

You will need a sealant and roofing tape if you have a slash in your roof or a seam that needs fixing. There are lots of instructional videos on YouTube you can watch to learn how to go about the resealing process.

How to Prevent RV Roof Damage

Although it isn’t completely possible to prevent roof damage there are some measures you can take into action to lessen the damage possibilities on your trailer’s roof.

1. Regular Cleaning

You should endeavor to clean your Roofs at least, about three to four times a year. This number could increase Depending on your parking location or your favorite travel destination.

When you clean your RVs roof ensure to only Make use of cleaners and brushes that are suitable for your type of roof because some types of cleaning chemicals and brushes can break down the sealants even faster than normal wear.

2. Use A Protective Cover

Placing a protective cover over your RV roof will help to protect it from harsh weather elements that could damage the roof and its lining, you can also keep your travel trailer covered in a garage or under an awning or tarp.

3. Use Other Protectants

There are different types of supplies that can be used on your travel trailer’s roof continuously to help guard it against harsh weather elements and also prevent water damage.

There are UV ray protectants you can apply regularly to the roof to help condition and moisturize it. Using these types of products helps to reduce the possibility of a leak occurring.

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Conclusion

Knowing how often you should seal your RV roof Is very crucial because a leaking roof can be quite difficult to spot and even more difficult to fix when the leak has done lots of damage.

It is, therefore, recommended to perform regular checkups and try to reseal your RV roof every year as this will help to limit the issues that could arise because of this.

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