RV Roof Repair

As an RV owner, it’s vital to check the roof thoroughly every year. Water damage obliterates the value of your camper, and the costs to repair RV roof damage can be astronomical.  Here’s what you need to know about RV roof repair, what to look for, and how to apply an RV roof sealant.

RV Roof Repair

While it’s rather obvious that the roof of your RV should be checked annually for damage, small tears can occur quite quickly during any trip. Failing to inspect can lead to severe water damage that can cost thousands of dollars to repair.

How much does it cost to replace an RV roof??

We purchased our modest 30′ Sunnybrook camper gently used. Unfortunately, for the first year that we had it, we didn’t have adequate covered storage when it wasn’t in use. The roof quickly deteriorated in the hot southern sun, drying it out and creating small weathered tears.

Initially, we contacted several local RV repair companies for quotes on repairing the roof, and the lowest quote we received was $7,500. Whoa, buddy! That definitely wasn’t in the budget! So we started looking into ways to fix the small tears and weathered areas, particularly around the air conditioner and ladder poles.

How do you repair an RV roof?

First and foremost, you must prepare the roof surface that you’ll be coating.  Remove any loose material or debris from the roof, then wash it thoroughly. Use a scrub brush if necessary to clean heavily soiled areas. The roof must be completely clean and dry before applying the silicone roof coating.

Fill and cover fasteners, holes, depressions, protrusions, and cracks with liquid roof tape and allow it to cure before applying the RV roof coating.

Use a solvent-resistant ¾” or 1″ nap roller cover and dip the roller directly into the pail and apply, or pour the product onto the flat roof surface and roll out evenly. If the roof is quite flat, you can pour out the product and spread with a 1/8″ notched squeegee, then immediately back roll for a smooth, even finish.

Let the first coat dry completely, which takes about 3-12 hours, depending on the weather and humidity levels in your area.  This silicone roof coating can be applied in varying temperatures (32°F-120°F) with great results.

Once the first coat is dry, you’ll need to apply a second coating. The following photograph is the first coating after sitting overnight. As you can see, the condensation was pretty high in the morning, so we had to wait several hours to allow it to evaporate before applying the second coating.

Apply the mixture heavily around all protrusions and fasteners, such as the ladder poles pictured here. (Once again, this is a “next-morning” shot, so the condensation was still pretty heavy.

Apply the second coat as soon as the first coating is dry enough to walk on. The coating we used, GacoRoof, covers 100 square feet per gallon on a smooth surface. If your RV roof is lightly textured, your roof may require three coats for maximum protection.

 

What is the best RV roof coating?

Our goals were to get a decent RV roof sealant, that would last, but for the least amount of money possible! We opted for GacoRoof 100% silicone base roof coating, which creates a seamless membrane that seals and repairs existing RV roofs. A decent silicone coating lasts up to 15 years with proper annual maintenance.

Does roof coating stop leaks?

The coating can and will stop minor leaks, but it’s not intended to find and seal the holes. Always identify and repair all damaged areas prior to applying the silicone sealant.

In conclusion, we spent approximately $250 to completely fix and repair our RV roof. It’s been several years since we applied the product and the roof is still in great shape!