RV Roof Care & Maintenance 101

By: Mark J. Polk
One of the most neglected areas on your RV is the roof, out of site out of mind. The problem is if
you don't keep the roof clean and inspect the roof seams on a regular basis you could end up
with water damage. Most RVs built today use a rubber roofing material. If you want to get a long
life out of your RV roof here are some things you can do.

Safety first! Be extremely careful whenever you are working on your RV roof. You can be
seriously injured from a fall. You have to get on the roof of your RV to properly clean and inspect
it for any damage or potential water leaks. The first step is the ladder you use to get up on the
roof. If your RV does not have a ladder on the back to access the roof it probably is not designed
to be walked on. In this situation it may be necessary to use a couple pieces of plywood or
particle board to help distribute your weight. Many RV manufacturers have an option called roof
rack and ladder ready. If the RV dealer orders this option the roof is built with a heavier roof
decking. Even so you need to walk lightly when you're on the roof.

Rubber roofing on an RV is a great product, but like everything else without routine preventive
maintenance it will not last as long as it could. First of all there are different types of rubber roofs.
Different manufacturers provide different instructions with their product. What we want to
concentrate on today is what applies to all rubber roofs used on RVs.

Caution: There are other types of RV roofing material used like fiberglass, aluminum and vinyl.
READ your roof manufacturers instructions for proper cleaning and sealing techniques to prevent
damage to your roof and possibly void your warranty.

Rubber roofs should be cleaned three to four times a year and depending on where you park or
store your RV it may need to be cleaned more often. Regardless of the type of rubber roof you
have NEVER use any cleaners or conditioners that contain petroleum solvents, harsh abrasives,
or citrus ingredients. These types of cleaners can cause permanent damage to any rubber or
vinyl surface. Most manufacturers of rubber roofs recommend you use a medium bristle brush
and a non-abrasive cleaner. For light cleaning you can use warm water and a mild detergent like
Dawn dish washing liquid. To clean, condition and protect the roof I use B.E.S.T Rubber Roof
cleaner and protectant. Hard to clean areas like stubborn stains caused by leaves, sap, mold or
mildew may require a second treatment. Use caution to prevent the cleaners from getting on the
sides of the RV. ALWAYS rinse the sides, front and back of your RV before rinsing the roof to
prevent streaking or damage to the finish on your RV.

Cleaning the roof is only part of maintaining it. Every time you clean the roof you need to inspect
the sealants around all of the openings and the seams on the roof. Water will take the path of
least resistance and if there is the smallest opening it will find it. You need to thoroughly inspect
the roof sealants for potential leaks and reseal any areas of the roof seams and around openings
where you suspect a leak. Check with your RV dealer for sealants that are compatible with your
roofing material.
 
I recently discovered a product called Eternabond, www.eternabond.com that you only need to use
one time and the area you're sealing is sealed forever. You can use it to permanently seal all the
seams on your roof and it's great for repairing any damaged area like a rip or tears in the roof.
Eternabond works on any type of RV roofing material and it's as easy to apply as a piece of tape.
Cleaning, inspecting and sealing your RV roof can add years to the life of the roof and help
prevent costly repairs caused by water damage. For a complete guide to preventive maintenance
for you RV check out my “Preventive Maintenance Checks for Motor Homes” e-book at
www.rveducation101.com

Happy Camping,
Mark J. Polk


RV Education 101 is a North Carolina based Company that produces educational videos on how
to use and maintain your RV. Mark Polk, the owner, started in the RV industry as an apprentice
technician in the early 1970's. After retiring as a CW3 from the military (where Polk was an
automotive maintenance technician, and was in charge of some very large maintenance
operations throughout his career) in 1996, he got back into the industry he had a passion for. Polk
has an extensive background in RV sales, service and management. He felt so strongly about
educating the consumer that he left his position as an RV Sales Manager in 2000 to devote
himself full time to his company. Mark’s program includes instructional videos and other materials
to make your RVing lifestyle even easier. Mark also provides the RV Savvy segments for the
RVTV program and can be seen on the Outdoor Channel. You can order Mark's complete line of
RV Education 101 material from www.rveducation101.com

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