American RV Center Blog

RV Roof Care and Maintenance

posted by American RV Center Internet Department @ 11:27am, Thursday 8 December 2011.

RV Roof Care and Maintenance

Many RVers don’t take the time to care for their RV’s roof. Just like on your home, your RV roof is the first line of defense from rain, moisture, debris, and other environmental contaminants. Whether you use your camper for a few weekends a year, or you’re a fulltimer, regular roof care is an essential step in prolonging the life of your RV. In this article, we will focus on the rubber membrane style roof. This is the most common modern roofing material found on the majority of RVs.

The rubber roof found on most modern RVs isn’t the type of natural rubber you may commonly think of. It is actually a mostly synthetic blend called EPDM, or Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer. It’s a long name, so that’s why most people simply refer to it as a “rubber roof”. These membranes can last close to 20 years with proper care, and many manufacturers actually guarantee the membrane to the original purchaser for prorated periods ranging from 10-12 years against manufacturer’s defects.

Many manufacturers don’t recommend anything more that frequent cleaning of the membrane with soap and water. Heavy sealers and coatings are generally not recommended, however many manufacturers do recommend using a protectant/treatment for protection against UV and Ozone and to make future cleaning easier. This is recommended once a year.

Membrane roofs can become chalky with age. This is a normal process. Regular cleaning will help to reduce the amount of chalking and will help minimize streaks on the side of your camper. Cleaning is recommended every few months to reduce the buildup of chalk. It is very important to use products made for rubber roofs. Never use any solvents like petroleum based products, citrus products, or abrasives. These can permanently damage the membrane. Mild household detergent is fine, as well as special products available for EPDM roof cleaning.

While you are on your roof, be sure to also check the seals around the air conditioner, vent caps, sewer vents, and around the front, back, and sides. This is a good time to touch up any problem areas. Always use proper Dicor-type sealant on these seams. Regular silicone caulk will not adhere properly and this will cause leaks.

Regular care will help extend the life of your unit and ensure many more years of trouble-free camping. Please contact American RV Center’s Service Department for more information or to schedule an appointment to have your preventative maintenance performed.

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