How To Repair The Roof Of A Travel Trailer

If your RV or camper's roof is leaking, damaged, or worn down and erstwhile, it might be fourth dimension to repair or replace the roof.

Over fourth dimension, rain, air current, snow and even UV rays from the sun can break downwardly the seals and RV roof textile, leading to water damage and other bug. Yous should address RV roof issues as soon equally possible, to avoid farther harm.

Is your RV roof leaking? Are you stressed out near how much it's going to cost to set up? If so, you lot're not alone.

One of the first questions people have nearly their leaky motorhome and travel trailer roof is how much it will cost to repair or replace.

Camper roof replacements typically cost betwixt $300 and $325 per linear foot. For example, if your RV is thirty anxiety long, information technology would price betwixt $ix,000 and $9,750 to replace the roof of your RV.

The cost largely depends on the type of roof material, and the labor costs of the auto shop completing the job. However, you may be able to repair or supplant your RV roof yourself.

In this article, I'll cover the best types of RV roof fabric and their costs, every bit well as provide the steps to re-seal, repair, and replace your camper'due south roof. I volition likewise offer some suggestions to keep your RV roof in the best condition.

Blazon Of RV Covering Cloth And How Much Does They Cost To Replace

The most common types of camper roofing material are TPO, EPDM, fiberglass, and aluminum.

In general, EPDM and TPO are the most pop and mutual types of material used for RV roofs.

Each type of roofing material has unlike advantages, costs, and maintenance needs. Allow'southward go into it!

EPDM

Rubber EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) is a constructed rubber material with membrane-like construction that is frequently used for flat roofs like those on RVs and travel trailers.

EPDM is extremely durable and cost-constructive, typically costing around $4 to $viii per foursquare foot.

Using our thirty-foot RV example, it would cost about $one,020 to $2,040 for 255 square feet of EPDM roofing material for the RV, assuming the camper is viii ½ feet wide.

TPO

TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) is probably the most mutual fabric used for RV roofs.

The material is a single-ply membrane, meaning that it's a single layer of synthetic prophylactic with reinforcing scrim. Like EPDM, it'southward used primarily for flat roofs.

TPO is very UV-resistant, and it can help reduce free energy consumption when installed as your RV roof. Additionally, information technology's very long-lasting and if properly maintained, could final as much equally xxx years.

Decent quality TPO RV covering volition cost between $five.50 and $6 per square foot, so using our 30-human foot camper, the cost for the TPO alone would exist between $i,400 and $1,530 for 255 square feet of cloth.

@rvroofingpros

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is less popular as an RV covering fabric because it's heavier and more expensive than TPO or EPDM.

However, fiberglass roofs require less maintenance than roofs using the other materials, which may be preferable for some.

Fiberglass is one of the toughest roofing materials available, and information technology is highly resistant to heavy rain, snow, and hail.

It won't rust, rot, or mildew, and is too burn down-resistant. The material is likewise very long-lasting; a fiberglass roof should concluding for 25 to 30 years with footling or no maintenance.

It'southward also one of the most cost-effective RV roofing materials, costing $two to $4 per foursquare foot ($510 to $i,020 to supercede 255 square feet of roof).

Aluminum

The least most common RV roofing material yous'll observe is aluminum. Some travel trailer brands – such every bit Airstream – employ aluminum roofing, but information technology adds a lot more weight than the other camper roofing materials.

Like fiberglass, aluminum has fairly low maintenance needs, and unlike condom or fiberglass, it'due south non-toxic.

You can also recycle your scrap covering when yous supervene upon it, since aluminum is one of the few materials that doesn't diminish in value.

Aluminum covering sheets cost around $iii per square pes, and so the cost to replace the roofing material on a 30-human foot by 8 ½-foot camper would exist effectually $770.

How RV Sealant and Coating Protects The Roof

The roofing fabric is just one of the things you'll need to purchase for an RV roof replacement or repair job.

Sealant is primal; h2o damage is one of the nigh mutual reasons an RV roof needs to be repaired or replaced, and usually, the harm happens around the seals or because the roof coating has deteriorated.

If you catch a leak and fix it speedily, you could salvage yourself a lot of fourth dimension and money.

If you lot decide to pay a professional person when replacing your RV roof or simply resealing it, the resealing portion of the job lone may cost between $ane,000 and $1,700, or as much as $2,000 for larger RVs.

Y'all can begin to run into why an RV roof replacement can cost every bit much as $x,000, and why you may want to practice the chore or parts of it yourself.

Reinforce the Sealant

It's recommended that you regularly bank check your camper's roof for leaks, and that yous reinforce the sealant around the seams at least once each year.

When doing and so, be sure to caulk all around the air workout unit, roof vents, skylights and any other places where there may be a scissure or seam in the roofing material.

If you haven't used the sealant before, spot check its compatibility by applying a pocket-sized amount in an inconspicuous expanse earlier applying information technology to all areas.

Keep in mind that, if y'all alive in a humid climate, y'all may need to use a dissimilar blazon of RV sealant.

You lot tin can e'er check with your camper's manufacturer for product recommendations.

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Recoat the Roof Surface

At some point during your RV'due south life, you will probably need to recoat the roof. This is a protective layer that covers the roofing material almost like paint.

Over time, the coating becomes chalky and may wear off. Although this is normal, information technology'south a articulate sign that information technology'southward fourth dimension to recoat the roof.

The coating is important because information technology helps to increase the waterproof and weatherproof adequacy of the whole roof.

Exist sure to keep in mind that you might demand a specific type of blanket depending on the blazon of roof cloth you have.

I method of recoating is an RV liquid roof, which is an EPDM coating that you paint onto the roof of your camper.

The liquid roof costs almost $90 per gallon, which covers about 42 square anxiety. For our xxx-foot past 8 ½ human foot camper instance, we'd need about 6 gallons to comprehend the roof.

Y'all can save if you buy the material in larger quantities, such as 4 or five-gallon pails.

Once dry out, the liquid roof barrier protects it from UV rays from the sun and also adds weatherproofing to block moisture and slow wearable-and-tear from the elements.

Past regularly coating your RV roof with this type of protective sealant, yous can prolong the life of your RV and prevent water damage from happening.

How to Repair or Supervene upon Your RV Roof

If you own an older RV of y'all've owned your camper for awhile, there's a good chance that you'll need to supplant the roof at to the lowest degree one fourth dimension during its lifespan.

If you stay on top of repairs and maintenance, and set up any leaks quickly, y'all tin can minimize or postpone the need to replace the whole roof.

Yet, if there are multiple areas where the roof is damaged, or there'south a single area with extensive impairment that is compromising the rest of the roof, information technology may exist time to replace it.

Tools Y'all Will Need

When y'all plan to repair or replace your camper'due south roof yourself, there are some tools you'll need to become the job washed as quickly and effectively as possible.

Although every job is different, some general tools you lot should have on mitt for dealing with your RV roof include:

• Condom glasses

• Roller to gyre out and catamenia the adhesive

• Acetone or other cleaner, like a 3M Scotch Bright Pad

• Razor knife or shears for cutting the replacement material

• Scraper or utility bract to remove old caulking

• Respirator (for fiberglass roofs)

• Safety gloves

• Bucket for mixing adhesive/goad

Prepare Your RV Roof for Repair or Replacement

The first stride to whatever RV roof job is to clean the existing roof or repair area well. In order for the adhesive or catalyst material to bond with the roof cloth, all traces of oil, grease, grime, oxidation and silicone sealants must be removed.

If it's merely a small repair, feel costless to utilise a rag and a solvent to scrub the surface area clean.

For larger repairs and full roof resealing jobs or replacements, it might exist more effective to first power-wash, then scrub where necessary until the roof is completely clean.

With EPDM covering, you will demand to cut abroad any residual silicone caulking and remove any surface wax with a removing amanuensis designed for this purpose.

One time the roof is dry later on cleaning, you will likely need to apply an EPDM primer.

Fifty-fifty if you did a fantastic job cleaning the roof, it's likely to still be muddy or stained in some areas, and so using a EPDM primer volition set up the surface for a better bond between the roof and the tape.

@flair_distribution

How to Repair a Punctured RV Roof

Although you might pay a professional to do a total roof replacement for your RV, there are many roof repair jobs that are easy and far cheaper if you do them yourself.

One of these is repairing a punctured or torn RV roof. To fix this kind of impairment, all you actually need to exercise is install a patch:

1. Thoroughly clean the area around the repair.

2. Remove whatsoever excess silicone.

3. Apply sealant or caulking to any recesses, and let dry.

4. Glue down whatsoever loose roof membrane, and add fasteners if needed.

5. Let information technology cure 24 hours.

6. Apply the patch and so that at that place'southward at least two inches of overlap on all sides of the repair expanse, and cover any reinforcement fasteners.

7. Seal the patch and edges around it with RV roof blanket.

RV roof tape or RV roof patches are like shooting fish in a barrel to apply, with adhesive on one side that sticks to your RV roof and seals up the torn or punctured area.

These patches are very durable, and provide a permanent solution to a tear or small hole.

It's a skilful idea to proceed some in your RV's emergency tool kit just in case something happens while you're out on a trip. You don't desire a punctured roof causing leaks and creating h2o damage!

How to Replace Your RV Or Motorhome Roof

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A DIY RV roof replacement is certainly possible, and will assist yous save lots of money since y'all will only need to buy the materials.

The following are all of the steps to follow when replacing your RV's roof:

1. Remove any fixtures, such as vents, antennas, or air conditioning units. Remove the awning besides.

2. Utilize a high-quality stainless steel putty knife to scrape away the old sealant around the removed fixtures.

3. Remove the existing roof membrane. For RV's rubber roofs such as TPO or EPDM, you will demand to peel back the roofing material until you can see the plywood construction beneath. Aluminum roofs require you to unscrew the old panels to remove them, and y'all will need a dye grinder to remove the fiberglass matting that covers these types of roofs.

4. Cheque the plywood beneath the roof membrane for damage. If you lot notice areas where the wood is rotted or bowing, it has water impairment and should be replaced. Clean the rest of the (undamaged) plywood with mineral spirits to treat it to forbid mold and mildew from growing.

5. Install seam tape in places where the plywood meets and along the edge of the camper's roof where it meets the side of your camper. This will help maintain a good seal and reinforce any weak areas.

6. Rubber roofs are installed by coating layers of agglutinative onto the plywood roof, and so rolling on the roof replacement panels. Fiberglass roofs have similar installation, and you will pigment on the adhesive catalyst resin before covering information technology with the fiberglass matting and gel glaze. Allow the adhesive to sit for a little bit until it'due south tacky, and then curlicue your covering material over the top, pressing out all air bubbles as you go. Cut holes in the rubber or matting for whatever fixtures that are going back on the roof.

7. Rubber roofs are installed by coating layers of adhesive onto the plywood roof, then rolling on the roof replacement panels. Fiberglass roofs have similar installation, and you lot will paint on the agglutinative catalyst resin earlier covering it with the fiberglass matting and gel glaze. Allow the agglutinative to sit down for a little flake until it's tacky, and then scroll your roofing fabric over the top, pressing out all air bubbling every bit you go. Cut holes in the prophylactic or matting for any fixtures that are going back on the roof.

8. Subsequently your roof is replaced, the final step is to reinstall your RV'south roof fixtures and seal them with caulking to prevent whatever leaks in the new roof.

How to Ready a Leaky Skylight, Roof Vent, Air-conditioning Unit or Hatch

Since RV'southward rooftop systems such as the A/C unit or roof vent are substantially holes cut in the roof, the edges effectually them can develop leaks that you lot volition demand to fix to avert water damage.

Luckily, it's a pretty easy job:

1. Scrape abroad any balance silicone caulking.

2. Make clean the surface of the roof around the leak with a plastic scrub pad or sandpaper, so swab with a solvent-soaked rag.

3. Seal the edges around the vent or system with sealant or sealant strips, covering all screws.

4. Position the vent flange so that information technology overlaps the roof surface by most two inches in either direction, and be sure to roll-in the sealant so that it bonds permanently.

@flair_distribution

How to Seal and Coat Your RV's Roof

A significant part of maintaining, repairing and replacing your RV's roof involves sealing and coating the surface then that information technology's more durable and weather condition-resistant.

What is the All-time RV Roof Sealant?

The best sealant to use depends on the roof surface and the application. For EPDM, TPO and aluminum roofs, the recommended textile is M-i sealant ($7.25 per 10.one-ounce tube).

If you're sealing around a roof vent or skylight, industry experts recommend using SB-140 butyl caulking ($5.75 per x.3-ounce tube).

For resealing RV windows, the experts again suggest M-1 sealant, merely Duralink ($6.25 per 10.one-ounce tube) is besides used and has excellent adhesion to glass.

If you are sealing around irregular surfaces, the all-time sealant to utilise is WebSeal tape.

It has a unique, woven textile backing with microsealant composition and then that it bonds perfectly on flat surfaces too as around curves, angles, bolts and pipes.

Information technology's also highly weather resistant, and remains flexible fifty-fifty in climates with temperatures every bit depression every bit negative 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to Coat a Safety RV Roof

If your RV'southward roof is made of EPDM or TPO, you lot will need to re-glaze it every year or then to maintain it properly and maximize its lifespan. Here are the steps for Applying Prophylactic Roof Coating To Your Camper:

1. Check the roof for whatsoever leaks, and repair them before coating your camper foof.

2. Deep-clean the entire roof; ability-wash, so scrub stained or dingy areas with a 1:3 bleach/water mixture and a thick bristled street broom or scrubber. If the bleach doesn't get the stains out, try TSP and water. Power wash the roof again after cleaning to rinse it.

3. Remove old RV roof coatings and all silicone excess around the roof vents, air workout unit of measurement, and other systems.

4. Mucilage down any raised areas around the roof with M-i sealant or EternaBond DoubleStick.

5. For EPDM roofs, you should employ a thin layer of EPDM primer (and allow it to cure about 30 minutes) before applying the roof coating.

6. Open the coating can and remove any 'skin' on the surface. Stir the coating for four to v minutes, until information technology is fully combined.

7. Utilise the roof blanket (RoofMate HT for low-cal foot traffic or AES-125 epoxy for more long-lasting results). Permit information technology cure for i to iii days, depending on the temperature in your area. Then, apply a second glaze in the reverse management.

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Different Types of RV Roof Coating Sealants

As mentioned throughout this article so far, there are a few different types of RV roof coating materials, and your choice will depend on what type of RV roof y'all accept and the durability you need it to take.

• RoofMate HT: Not-flammable, easy to apply, and quick to cure, RoofMate HT is a high-operation elastomeric acrylic roof coating that lasts for about six years before you lot need to recoat. It'south designed to accommodate low-cal foot traffic, with both a high tensile and high elongation. Utilise a primer before blanket with RoofMate HT, which costs most $166.95 for a 5-gallon saucepan.
• Ultra Shield: If yous don't need to go on top of your RV, Ultra Shield is a expert option. It'south another elastomeric acrylic roof coating that's cost-effective, has easy roll-on application, cures quickly, and is not-flammable. Ultra Shield volition terminal for about five years before recoating. Utilize a primer earlier coating with Ultra Shield, which costs about $76.95 for a 5-gallon saucepan.
• AES-125: This two-office elastomeric epoxy coating is very long-lasting and highly waterproof. Despite its durability, it's non designed for foot traffic. Application as well requires practice. AES-125 costs $485 for a 5-gallon bucket.
• EPDM Condom Coating: Liquid EPDM rubber coating comes in a two-part solvent base. This is the virtually expensive of the RV roof coating, and it'southward also the well-nigh difficult to piece of work with. Information technology is non oil resistant, it's flammable earlier it'south cured, and it's non recommended for pes traffic areas. EPDM rubber coating besides has a lower elongation, and costs between $ane.fifty and $2.50 per foursquare foot of fabric. So, for a 255-square-pes roof, the coating material volition toll between $382.l and $637.50.

How to Maintain Your RV Roof

Even if you lot're repairing or replacing your RV roof yourself, the materials solitary are going to cost several hundreds of dollars.

Yous tin can maximize the lifespan of your roof and minimize the frequency of re-coating by regularly cleaning it, checking frequently for leaks, repairing harm rapidly, and keeping it covered.

Here are some RV roof maintenance tips as well as best practices y'all can follow for RV Roof Damage Prevention.

1: Clean Your RV Roof Regularly

As role of your RV maintenance schedule, you should clean the roof of your camper.

Dirt and droppings can harm the sealant on your RV roof over time, and brand it more prone to developing leaks and causing water harm.

Therefore, a regular washing is important to maintaining the integrity of the seals and waterproofing of the camper'due south roof.

A good rule of thumb is to wash the roof when you're deep-cleaning after each camping trip.

To wash your RV roof properly, cull your detergent based on the type of roof you take.

If your RV's roof is aluminum or fiberglass, you tin use the same balmy detergent you lot employ to wash the balance of the RV.

If your camper'southward roof is TPO or EPDM, you lot might need a safe-safe RV roof cleanser. Either way, rinse well after sudsing!

2: Bank check For Leaks

The roof-cleaning process offers the perfect fourth dimension to check your RV'due south roof for leaks.

Equally you power-wash the roof, ask your spouse or a friend to walk around below y'all inside the camper, checking the ceiling and walls for dampness or drips.

As you launder or rinse the roof, look for cracks in the roof seal and feel for any soft areas that may exist a sign of water damage or rot. Set leaks quickly and as yous discover them to minimize impairment.

3: Repair RV Roof Harm ASAP

As soon equally you discover leaks or other damage in the roof or its fixtures, repair them.

It'due south better to spend a few hundred dollars on a repair job now, than to have to pay virtually $x,000 to supersede the whole roof.

Additionally, damage that's allowed to sit unaddressed can become worse, and atomic number 82 to more than issues or more than all-encompassing and expensive repairs.

The same goes for your rooftop systems, like the air conditioning unit. If it stops working, wet can build up in the organisation and may strain the seal between the unit and the roof, or cause mold and mildew to develop.

4: Investing In A RV Roof Encompass for Durability

@the_nelson_wolfpup

In addition to all of the maintenance yous should practise to maximize the lifetime of your RV'southward roof, you may want to consider a cover for your camper or just for the roof.

Information technology's optimal to store your RV indoors, but this is frequently very expensive and might exist out of upkeep for most RV owners.

An alternative is a waterproof and UV-resistant RV cover or an RV roof cover.

These come in a wide range of measurements, and then the play a trick on is to go one that is specifically designed to fit your camper or its roof.

However, even RV covers accept their disadvantages. A good quality RV cover will allow moisture to evaporate, but information technology as well prevents airflow from circulating around your RV underneath it, so mildew tin can grow.

And so, it'southward all-time to requite your RV a break and only cover it during storage season.

Annotation: Tarps are fifty-fifty worse than RV covers at allowing mildew and mold to grow in a curt menses of fourth dimension, then simply use these as a brusque-term solution.

Conclusion

Although a professional RV roof replacement task volition probable toll every bit much as $325 per linear foot, yous tin can significantly reduce the price if you replace your RV roof yourself.

I promise this commodity has provided all of the resources you need to know how much an RV roof replacement might cost, the materials involved, and how to repair or replace your camper'southward roof on your own.

Source: https://www.rvingknowhow.com/rv-roof-replacement-and-repair-guide/

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