[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"LiveBlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/how-often-should-you-seal-your-rv-roof\/#LiveBlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/how-often-should-you-seal-your-rv-roof\/","headline":"How Often Should You Seal Your RV Roof?","name":"How Often Should You Seal Your RV Roof?","description":"If you\u2019ve previously believed that an RV roof will last as long as the camper, travel trailer, or motorhome \u2013 please rethink that! Typically, an RV roof will only be as good as its owner is at maintaining it. Greater care will give the roof a long life with a reduced likelihood of water leaks. […]","datePublished":"2021-09-22","dateModified":"2024-01-05","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/author\/pete\/#Person","name":"Pete","url":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/author\/pete\/","identifier":2,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/wp-content\/litespeed\/avatar\/30c83c48d82c080140bb064c7762d28a.jpg?ver=1778044723","url":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/wp-content\/litespeed\/avatar\/30c83c48d82c080140bb064c7762d28a.jpg?ver=1778044723","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Living Pioneer","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/living-pioneer-icon-logo-50x50-1.png","url":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/living-pioneer-icon-logo-50x50-1.png","width":50,"height":50}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/usa-2651281_1280-600x400r.jpg","url":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/usa-2651281_1280-600x400r.jpg","height":400,"width":600},"url":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/how-often-should-you-seal-your-rv-roof\/","video":[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DN70I9g58iI#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DN70I9g58iI","name":"How to Install and Seal an RV Roof Vent using Dicor Lap Sealants","description":"How to properly install and seal an RV roof vent using Dicor lap sealants. EPDM Lap Sealant creates a secure, secondary seal along the roof's edges, air vents, vent pipes and screw heads. Compatible with EPDM, TPO and DiFlex II roofing, it adheres firmly to aluminum, mortar, wood, vinyl, galvanized metal, fiberglass and concrete. Ideally suited for aftermarket use. Dicor Lap Sealants are color matched and are UV stabilized to prevent deterioration and discoloration. Plus, they will not stain or discolor any roofing material to which they are applied.\n\nDicor Lap Sealants: http:\/\/dicorproducts.com\/catalog\/roof-products\/replace\/epdm-lap-sealants\/","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/DN70I9g58iI\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/DN70I9g58iI\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/DN70I9g58iI\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/DN70I9g58iI\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/DN70I9g58iI\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2015-01-23T20:10:36+00:00","duration":"PT5M13S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DN70I9g58iI","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCimSzHya_7Rji9fuP_qFFLQ#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCimSzHya_7Rji9fuP_qFFLQ","name":"Dicor","description":"Welcome to the Dicor YouTube Channel. Here you will find useful videos to help you learn how to measure, maintain, restore and repair various products from our affiliate companies:  Dicor Products, United Shade, and Vixen Composites.  You\u2019ll find a whole section devoted to RV roofing and roofing products, as well as information as to how to restring a shade or measure a window so that you can order new shades. We\u2019ll keep adding more videos from time to time so check back often to see what\u2019s new. Thank you for stopping by the Dicor YouTube Channel. To learn more, visit  www.dicor.com.","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/G0nmUOr3IBLdUn9czlf1ZD0NxgCbAUkVfQQoZ2BS_kcJ4CVcx1KCT0-HTdyU0PJVrwEFXEziaQ=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DN70I9g58iI#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DN70I9g58iI#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DN70I9g58iI&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DN70I9g58iI#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":123303}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DN70I9g58iI#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":442}]},null,{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1fedKzEZb9s#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1fedKzEZb9s","name":"Sealing RV Roof with Eternabond Tape","description":"Sealing RV Roof with Eternabond Tape\n\nSharon, one of the Two Tired Teachers, is going to put Eternabond on our RV roof.  Her first tip is to overestimate what she will need.  She started with a 50' roll of 4\" and a 50' roll of 2\".  She used all of the 4\" and most of the 2.\"\n\nBefore you start to seal the roof with Eternabond, you will need to clean the roof.  Sharon used a bit of Dawn dishwashing detergent and a medium bristle brush to get the roof clean.\n\nThree tools she used were a roller, a screen roller,  and a box cutter or X-acto knife.  In an effort to thoroughly clean the areas where she would be taping, Sharon used alcohol wipes.\n\nSharon covered the endcaps on the back of the RV simply because she wanted to be certain the Eternabond Tape held.  She is doing this job because when she inspected the roof last year, she noticed that the dicor sealant needed to be patched.  This year she saw that the dicor was really cracked.  She wanted to repair it before it became a major problem.\n\nOn some of the videos Sharon watched, the men making this exact same repair said it took around 3 hours.  As a woman, Sharon simply doesn't have the upper body strength or hand grip of a man.  Sharon worked between 9 and 10 ours to tape our 21' 11\"  Micro Minnie.\n\nPutting the Eternabond Tape on is keeping the RV well sealed.  The cracks would eventually lead to leaks on the roof.","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/1fedKzEZb9s\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/1fedKzEZb9s\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/1fedKzEZb9s\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/1fedKzEZb9s\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/1fedKzEZb9s\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2022-06-02T11:30:00+00:00","duration":"PT9M5S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1fedKzEZb9s","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCufF85_AUiR6N8thiVGuiMw#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCufF85_AUiR6N8thiVGuiMw","name":"Two Tired Teachers","description":"We are sisters with a combined total of 60+ years of teaching experience, and we are tired.  One of the best ways we've found to let go of the stress of dealing with teenagers is to take out the RV.  This channel will share some of our experiences and things we learned through trial and error.\n\nPlease subscribe if you find any of our videos helpful or entertaining.","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/ytc\/AIdro_lMCdarhOkhN7zXZniBc3t4AzAQokPgnqSKZcsw2gy52-4=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1fedKzEZb9s#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1fedKzEZb9s#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1fedKzEZb9s&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1fedKzEZb9s#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":51879}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1fedKzEZb9s#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":902}]}],"about":["RVs"],"wordCount":1684,"articleBody":"If you\u2019ve previously believed that an RV roof will last as long as the camper, travel trailer, or motorhome \u2013 please rethink that!Typically, an RV roof will only be as good as its owner is at maintaining it.Greater care will give the roof a long life with a reduced likelihood of water leaks. And that should be one of the goals of every RV owner. RV RoofOur related articles on RV roof maintenance, repairs, and replacement:> Complete RV Roof Guide> RV Fiberglass Roof Repair> Can I Use Flex Seal on My RV Roof?> Does RV Insurance Cover Roof Leaks? > How to Protect RV Skylights from Hail            Table of Contents                                    show                                                RV Roof                            Should I Reseal My RV Roof?                            How Often Should You Seal Your RV Roof?                            When Should You Check for Cracks in the Seals?                            How Often Should You Seal\/Reseal Your RV Roof?                            Top 4 Reasons to Reseal Your RV Roof                            Can You Walk on the Roof of an RV?                            How Do You Maintain a Rubber Roof on an RV?                            Perform a Check (Only If It\u2019s Safe to Get Up on the Roof)                            Maintaining a Rubber Roof                            Is Re-coating Necessary Too?                            Closing Thoughts                            Related Articles        Should I Reseal My RV Roof?An RV roof requires resealing because it\u2019s prone to leaking as it gets older.  The majority of RV roofing is made from either EPDM or TPO rubber compounds.While they can sometimes be a single sheet wide enough to cover the full width of the RV\u2019s roof, it\u2019s possible that the roof membrane is comprised of multiple rolls of the rubber membrane and then the seams are sealed up during the manufacturing process.Many membranes can absorb heat and defect most of the UV light, it\u2019s not perfect.Seams between roofing materials, all around the edges of the roof, and any fixtures on the RV roof are vulnerable to breaking down.Adhesives and tape can stop being effective, especially under the constant pressure of the sun\u2019s rays weakening their effectiveness.Without resealing the RV roof, it will eventually permit water between the seams and\/or seals where gaps have developed. Then you\u2019ll sustain water damage as H2O gets inside your motorhome, trailer, or camper through any accessible space between fixtures or the roofing materials, and the RV\u2019s roof.How Often Should You Seal Your RV Roof?The question of how often to seal up an RV roof comes in two parts.When Should You Check for Cracks in the Seals?Check for bad seals in the roofing materials every few months. Likely, you\u2019ll be giving the roof a good wash at some stage, so that\u2019s an ideal time to look things over before wetting down the roof.For older RV models, with each passing year beyond the first handful, checking every few months can catch a problem that\u2019s just started.It prevents a crack from gradually widening, and that part of the roof area worsens at an accelerated pace following excessive rainfall.The time of year is also pertinent. Depending on where you\u2019re located and how much average rainfall the state receives, you may wish to time the checking of the roof before the volume of rain becomes greater.It allows a few days to fix it before a storm may cause water to enter the RV unexpectedly.How Often Should You Seal\/Reseal Your RV Roof?Once a year is the best rule of thumb for how often you should do it.For most RVs, after their fifth year, be prepared to seal up anything that you find when a problem is spotted. This prevents water damage to roofing materials and the interior of the camper, trailer, or motorhome.Top 4 Reasons to Reseal Your RV RoofThere are different reasons to reseal the roof of your RV. If you\u2019re not convinced, here are the top 4 reasons to do so:Sealant Failure: Roof vents, AC units, aerials, plumbing vents, and other systems require sealants and often tape too. The roof usually has a hole cut out to fit the vent or other fixture.It\u2019s necessary to use sealant and tape to create a secure bond to prevent water leakage and a drip\u2026drip\u2026drip\u2026 inside the RV. These sealants don\u2019t last forever and need to be reapplied when the seal has failed or looks likely to do so.Age: The combination of time since its original manufacturer and how well-traveled the trailer or camper is, plays havoc on how robust seals will remain.Going off-road, the situation is even more precarious with extra movement shaking the RV causing it greater stress. Otherwise strong seals can crack or break as a result.Screw Malfunction: Many screws secure AC units, roof vents, and other roof fixtures in place. Stress fractures can snap a screw, or they can simply come undone.With a partially undone screw, it can create a sufficient gap between the roofing fixture and the roof itself so that water can enter. Also, screws can sometimes rust if the wrong type is used, or they\u2019re not protected.Accidental Damage: Either after walking on the roof, debris falling onto it, or tree branches brushing across it can be enough to damage the roof.It can break a seal, damage a screw that was securing a roof fixture, or rock a roof fixture from side to side eventually creating a gap in the seals.https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DN70I9g58iIVideo can\u2019t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: How to Install and Seal an RV Roof Vent using Dicor Lap Sealants (https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DN70I9g58iI)Can You Walk on the Roof of an RV?Motorhomes usually have stronger roofs, all other things being equal. However, a travel trailer or a small camper may have a roof that won\u2019t support your weight.It\u2019s a good idea to check if there\u2019s an attached ladder on the side or back of the RV.Even if there\u2019s one present, is it a design feature of the model, or if you\u2019ve purchased the RV used, did the previous owner add one after-market? Knowing this helps to confirm how safe the roof might be to walk on.Also, lighter is better. So, if you\u2019re on the heavier side of the scale, then roof work might be best handled by a partner or a friend who\u2019s willing to help out.Read Also: Dicor Lap Sealant Cure TimeHow Do You Maintain a Rubber Roof on an RV?Rubber roofs are often easier to maintain compared to fiberglass or aluminum roof solutions.Perform a Check (Only If It\u2019s Safe to Get Up on the Roof)If you\u2019re able to safely access the roof, then examine each of the seals of the various roof fixtures to see how they\u2019re fairing.Sealants are supported to respond to movement. Use something to prod the sealant gently such as a scraper or screwdriver.Very gently check around the sealant to see if it responds and returns to its original position. If it does respond favorably, then likely it is still providing a strong seal for your RV.If there\u2019s already been an internal water leak originating from the roof, it\u2019ll need to be worked on right away.Maintaining a Rubber RoofA roof can be maintained by using lap sealant or special tape to seal sealant gaps.It may be necessary to loosen the fitting for an RV roof fixture to remove and reapply a caulking mixture. Then refitting the roof fixture will recreate the seal effectively.The Dicor Self-Leveling Lap Sealant is excellent and works both on EPDM and TPO rubber roofs too:https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=hVncLoF9hcoVideo can\u2019t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: DICOR vs SIKAFLEX vs PROFLEX? | What RV Sealants should I use? (https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=hVncLoF9hco)Dicor Lap Sealant \u2013 White 501LSW-1 (4 Pack)Check at Amazon\u24d8 If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.Where only RV seam repair tape is needed to re-seat a roof fixture and fresh tape applied, the EternaBond Roof Seal tape is widely used and dependable for this task:https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1fedKzEZb9sVideo can\u2019t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Sealing RV Roof with Eternabond Tape (https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1fedKzEZb9s)EternaBond RoofSeal MicroSealant UV Stable Seam Repair Tape \u2013 EB-RW040-50R (White, 4\u2033 x50\u2032, 35 mil Total Thickness)Check at Amazon\u24d8 If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.Is Re-coating Necessary Too?RV roof coating solutions can add a new layer to further protect a rubber roof. This is a form of liquid rubber that can be applied to roofing areas where the rubber is breaking down.For example, the Dicor EPDM Rubber Roofing product is excellent for both EPDM and TPO rubber roofs to further protect them:Dicor White EPDM Rubber Roof Coating \u2013 RPCRC1 (1 Gallon)Check at Amazon\u24d8 If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.Closing ThoughtsA new camper, motorhome, or trailer likely won\u2019t have roofing issues for 3-5 years. However, after that time, the seals will begin to wear on roofing fixtures.It\u2019s also possible that accidental damage or another cause can create a roofing issue and resealing is necessary at that stage.For older RV models, be on the lookout for seal problems as they\u2019re more commonplace. Bi-annual checks on all the various protuberances through the roof become necessary to ward off water leaks.Related ArticlesRV Roof GuideRV Fiberglass Roof RepairCan I Use Flex Seal on My RV Roof?Does RV Insurance Cover Roof Damage?How to Protect RV Skylights from HailDicor Lap Sealant Cure Time"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"How Often Should You Seal Your RV Roof?","item":"https:\/\/livingpioneer.com\/how-often-should-you-seal-your-rv-roof\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]