When it comes to replacing a roof, most people think about houses. If you own an RV, and you want to keep it in great shape, you may need to have a roof replacement eventually. RV roof replacement is a lot less expensive than going out and buying a new RV. If you are one of those people who spend most of their time in your RV, then you want to make sure that you always keep up with the maintenance, including regularly checking to make sure that there is nothing wrong with the roof.
RV Roof Maintenance
You can save a lot of money by doing much of your own RV roof maintenance. This could even keep you from needing to get the roof replaced. At the very least, when you take care of things yourself, you can be sure that the roof is going to last much longer than if you don’t. You need to always be on the lookout for cracks or holes. Even the smallest leak can turn into something really big, if it is not taken care of right away. If you do find spots that need to repaired, you can do so using roof patches, fiberglass and roof bonding tape, as long as the surface is not made from silicone.
Before you can start doing any repairs, you will need to remove any roof sealant that is peeling or flaking. This is simple. Just scrape it off and put on some new sealant. Keeping your RV roof clean will also help to keep the room from peeling or flaking. Use a good brush and the right cleaners that are designed for this purpose. It is best to buy all products you will be using from your RV service center. This way you can be sure that you are using the right products for your RV roof replacement.
Before climbing onto the roof, check your shoes. Make sure that there are no pebbles or anything lodged in the soles, which can damage a thin roof and make RV roof replacement absolutely necessary. If you do cause any damage, it is just more maintenance work that you are going to have to do. Once you have discovered that there are holes or cracks that need to be fixed, you will need to have a utility knife, wood putty and rubber membrane to make the repairs.
Remove anything that may be attached to the roof, including air conditioners, vents, fasteners, etc. It is a good idea to use a piece of chalk to mark where these items go so you know where to put them when you are done with your repairs. Once you have done this, you will need to take the following steps:
- Cut out strips of the original rubber membrane without pulling away the wood-decking. Some will probably come off, but you can keep it to a minimum.
- Fill in the area where you removed the membrane with the wood putty. Allow this to sit overnight in order for it to dry completely. Before the next step, make sure that you clean off any dust that comes from the putty.
- Unroll the new rubber membrane, making sure it covers the entire roof, and glue it in place as it is being unrolled. Smooth it down, and then use a squeegee to get rid of any air bubbles. Again, let the roof sit overnight before doing anything else.
- Clean all of the parts that you removed from the roof and re-install them. Make sure that the roof surface is also clean so putty will adhere to it. Add the putty, then re-install the parts where they belong.
- If there is any extra membrane hanging down, cut it off with a utility knife. Cut “X’s” in the vent holes, pull the flaps down and staple them to the wood frame lining.
- All you have left to do now is hook up lights and other electrical devices that are in the RV, which of course were all unhooked before you ever started working on anything.
Hiring a Contractor
Instead of going through all this labor yourself, you can hire a contractor. By doing this, you will also be sure that the job is done properly. If you have never done anything like this before, you may end up making mistakes that will cost you more money in the long run. Fill out our short online form to be connected with many contractors in your area. You will get free estimates for RV roof replacement, and you can make sure that your RV is still in great shape many years from now.
