How do you seal a rubber roof on an RV?
Rubber roofs on RVs are now very common these days as rubber roofs are easy to maintain, cheaper, low weight, are less slippery, and less likely to have weather damage. In fact, many RVers report that RV repair shops often replace damaged fiberglass roofs with rubber. A rubber roof is often less expensive to replace, while replacing a fiberglass roof could cost thousands of dollars. An RV roof maintained with RV rubber roof coating will last for many years.
Different Types of Rubber Roofs
There are two major types of RV rubber roofs EPDM and TPO. EPDM is Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer while TPO stands for thermoplastic polyolefin, a synthetic rubber used on RV roofs. It is important to find out what type of rubber roof you have, so you can maintain your rubber roof the right way. RVs manual is the best way to find out which type of roof your RV has and if the manual is not available you can also perform see and touch test to determine the type of RV rubber roof.
¾ EPDM rubber roofs are slippery when wet while TPO roofs are not.
¾ TPO roof is very shiny and glossy while EPDM roof is not.
¾ The texture of EPDM roof is very smooth while TPO may be slightly bumpy feeling, similar to an orange peel.
¾ An EPDM rubber roof will also take on a chalky look.
¾ If your RV has an EPDM roof then there will be white or gray streaks down the sides of your RV or camper.
Maintaining a EPDM Rubber Roof
EPDM roofs should be cleaned after every few months to keep them clean and under warranty. The more hotter and more humid your climate is, the more will be the need of frequent cleaning and conditioning. Start by removing any dirt, debris and loose material lying on the roof. Mop the roof with a bucket of water and a sponge mop. Don’t use harsh chemicals or petroleum products as they can severely damage the RV roof. Inspect the RV roof for leaks, tears and punctures. Re-caulking the RV roof is also needed once a year regardless of which type of RV roof you have.
Maintaining a TPO Rubber Roof
For cleaning the TPO roof, use a soft-bristled brush with a bucket of water and a mild, non-abrasive cleanser. Take special care as not to damage the top membrane of the rubber roof. Inspect the surface of the rubber roof for cracks or damage. If repairs are needed, use a reliable RV rubber roof coating like Liquid RV Roof.
Pros and Cons of Rubber Roofs
Pros
¾ Less expensive/cheaper
¾ Lower in weight
¾ Less slippery
¾ Repairs are easy and inexpensive
¾ Less likely to have weather damage
Cons
¾ Rain may be louder than on fiberglass roofs
¾ Tree Branches may cause damage
¾ Some slides might not have rubber roofs
¾ Not eco-friendly, except for TPO roofing
RV Rubber Roof Coating
Roof leaks are the number one enemy of any RV and the main reason RV owners end up losing money in terms of expensive repairs. When a roof leak happens the damage isn’t just isolated to the roof, this is what usually causes the most damage. Water gets inside causing all kinds of other problems. Be proactive and protect your RV and everything that’s inside it with an RV rubber roof coating e.g. Liquid RV Roof.
You Can Apply Yourself
Coating the RV rubber roof with RV rubber roof coating is a project that you can easily take on yourself.
Here’s what you’ll need:
¾ RV rubber roof coating e.g. Liquid RV Roof
¾ Medium nap roller
¾ Paint brushes
¾ Painter’s tape
¾ Rubex caulk (Optional)
The Application Process
Liquid RV roof is a DIY product and application process is fairly simple as well. Once you have all the needed supplies use a painter’s tape to mark off the edges and keep any of the coating from running to areas where you don’t want it to go. Apply one layer of the rubber roof coating using a roller and use paint brush for hard to reach areas like around vents and anything else that needs vertical strokes.
Once you’ve covered the entire surface, just let it dry completely. Regarding dry times; it normally takes about two days above 50 degrees for the material to develop a skin and then 7 days for a full cure. Your best bet is to allow it to dry for at least 24 hours before you head out to your next RV journey.
Have a pricy question or need expert opinion visit https://www.rvliquidroofcoatings.com/ and visit https://www.rvliquidroofcoatings.com/the-benefits-of-modern-rv-roof-coatings/ to prepare your RV for the next adventure.