Last Updated on July 4, 2023
Most of the time RV owners may get carried away enjoying the shelter a camper provides and forget one critical aspect; roof inspection and maintenance. You never know how important it is to care for your roof until one day you are out camping and then comes a heavy downpour of rain. If you were kind to your camper roof, it would do a great job protecting you. Again, regular maintenance will save you a lot in repair bills. If you are the proactive type and want to get a long life out of your camper roof, here are some tips on how to care and maintain it.
First thing before doing anything is to determine the material your roof is made of since the maintenance varies with the different types. This information is readily available on your RV’s manual (or just taking a look at the roof). Materials for making RV roofs include;
Rubber– this is perhaps the most common roofing material for a camper roof. However, there are two variations of rubber used; EPDM rubber also known as Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer or TPO which stands for Thermal Poly Olefin.
Fiberglass– this kind of roof is less popular compared to the one made of rubber reason being that they add extra weight to the camper. On the other hand, the maintenance is easy, making it preferable to some.
Aluminum– like the fiberglass, its maintenance is not hard although it also adds unnecessary weight to the camper.
Once you know the material that makes your camper roof, it is now easier for you to determine the kind of maintenance required, the frequency and the type of RV roof products you will need to make the maintenance.
How often you maintain your roof may depend on where you park your RV and the conditions in which you’ve used it.
When caring for your roof, regardless of the material always remember to;
- Inspect the roof for weak seams, cuts and degrading sealants.
- Clean the roof of any debris.
- Use the right cleaners and sealants and carefully follow the product instructions.
Rubber RV Roof Maintenance
Inspection and maintenance of EPDM roofs should be done on a quarterly basis. This is to remove the dirt, debris, and mold. Due to its light nature, it is easily prone to damage, and you should be extra cautious of any elements that could damage your roof when parking it or driving.
Collecting dirt is also easy for this kind of roofs because of their porosity. It is also likely that after every 12 months, these roofs show signs of chalking.
When cleaning, all you need is a non-abrasive cleanser and a soft brush. Stay clear of all petroleum-based products. Once the roof dries up, follow up with a sealant for the damaged areas you noticed during the inspection.
For TPO roofs, you may have an easier time as they are less likely to absorb dirt and have a smoother and shinier appearance. These kinds of roofs do not chalk up easily as well. Apart from the sealants, care, and maintenance of these roofs are similar to EPDM.
Aluminum and Fiberglass
Maintenance for these two is much easier. Make sure you clean your roof gently on a regular basis. After cleaning, inspect the sealants around all the seams on the roof. Reseal anywhere on the roof seams you may suspect a leak.
In a nutshell, routine inspection and maintenance of your camper roof will improve your camping experience as it is friendly to your pocket and safe. Take care of your RV, and it will take care of you.
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About the Author:
Tom Brown loves spending time outdoors with his wife and two kids. He regularly shares his camping tips, hiking experiences and survival techniques on thriftyoutdoorsman.com.
