Your RV cost you a significant chunk of change, and you expect it to last a long time. The good news is that, when properly cared for, RVs can last for many decades. However, if you do not care for and maintain that vehicle correctly, you could experience some significant issues. What’s more, those issues might crop up well before you expect them. One of the most insidious types of damage is to the roof, and RV roof leaks can be present in a vehicle that is only a few years old.
What Causes RV Roof Leaks in the First Place?
Before we tackle the topic of how to fix RV roof leaks, we need to discuss how they get started in the first place. Are the roofs of recreational vehicles really that weak that just a couple of years exposed to the sun can cause lasting damage? What you need to understand is that RV roof design and construction is really just a series of tradeoffs.
They need to be strong enough to hold up to prolonged exposure to the elements, but light enough that they don’t weigh down the structure and reduce fuel economy. One of the better materials to achieve those goals is rubber – it’s stretched over the wooden sub frame of your RV’s roof to waterproof it and protect it.
However, rubber roofs are not without their flaws. Sunlight will eventually dry that rubber out and make it brittle. Expansion and contraction due to heat and cold, and the stress placed on the roof by driving on the road will then create cracks. Over time, those tiny cracks will widen, and water can enter the substructure of the roof.
Fixing RV Roof Leaks
There are options to prevent RV roof leaks in the first place, such as keeping your vehicle stored out of the elements when not in use, but they are not practical for everyone. However, repairing RV roof leaks with a liquid rubber compound is not only feasible, but surprisingly simple, as well. For instance, RV Liquid Roof can be applied to your RV’s roof with nothing more than a roller. A single coat is all that is required, as well.
Once in place, it is immediately waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about leaks occurring while you wait for the rubber to cure. Once it has cured (a process that takes only a short time), it is also highly UV resistant. That means it will stand up to long years of exposure to harsh sunlight without becoming brittle and losing its elasticity.
As you can see, while there may be no realistic way for all owners to avoid RV roof leaks, there is a solution available that allows you to repair them quickly and easily. RV Liquid Roof is a high-quality roofing solution that can be applied quickly and easily on your own, provides immediate waterproofing, and industry-leading UV light resistance.