The Importance of RV Roof Maintenance

Roof maintenance is vital to your RV’s life. When you buy your RV, the seller or dealership will tell you the roof is good for 12 years. What they don't tell you is that the seals around everything on the roof (like vents and skylights) need checked at least once a year. Why is that? Because the seal will start to crack and water will find it's way to the inside. At that point, it’s usually too late to fix since it can cause rot or mold in the ceiling. 

As you're driving down the interstate, check out some of the RVs coming toward you. If you look at a few, you'll see one that has a bubble in the roof membrane as its going by. That’s usually an indicator of either 1) a bad seal on the front cap or 2) a hole in the roof membrane that is letting air under the roof, which causes a bubble.

Storms and severe weather are also a problem for roofs, especially if you're under or around trees. We've seen RV roofs impaled with tree limbs and holes in the membrane from sticks and limbs simply blowing across it (some of these holes are very small). That’s why it’s important to check your roof after a storm. Always make sure nothing happened to the membrane or the fixtures on the roof (like skylights, vents, A/Cs, antennas, etc.).

Driving and pulling into your spot at the RV park is something to be careful with as well. There may be a tree that’s near the road or over the campsite. Though you may just hit little limbs, that doesn’t always mean your roof is safe. We've seen the smallest little branch punch through the membrane, which ultimately leads to a roof change (and that's a pretty expensive repair!). When you get parked and everything is set up, check your roof if there’s a chance you hit any tree branches or limbs.The earlier you find a problem, the less damage it'll cause.

From left to right: A dry rotted roof, a hole in the roof membrane, and a recently resealed roof.

Thanks for taking a look at our blog! Our next entry will be on common Schwintek slide system problems and how to prevent them.

God bless,

Blessed RV Mobile Service

John 1:16: For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.