Owning an RV comes with many adventures and memorable moments, but it also comes with the responsibility of having to maintain it.
And one of the key areas of your moving home that requires frequent maintenance is the roof as it is exposed to elements and the environment, and hence subject to more wear and tear and damage.
When it comes to caring for your RV’s roof, a sealant is one of the most important things that you will need. And to get the best RV sealant, you need to know what it is all about.
What is RV Roof Sealant?
Your RV spends most of the time outdoors where it is at the mercy of the elements. And as the seasons change, it will encounter everything from the scorching sun to heavy rain and freezing temperatures.
The roof tends to get the worse of it, and over time, it can develop cracks, dents, and other imperfections. Because you cannot keep taking the RV for repair or even replacing the roof, you need something to help seal these imperfections, and this is what a roof sealant does.
Roof sealants help to seal off cracks and other imperfection to keep the RV watertight, and they are available in several types such as rubber, acrylic, silicone and fiberglass coating or sealant, but they all do the same job.
You can check out CarCareTotal.com for more information on what RV roof sealants are all about and recommendations of some of the best ones in the market.
Why Should You Use Roof Sealant for RV?
A roof sealant comes in handy when you need to repair damages on your RVs roof as it will help patch up all those cracks and tiny holes fast and effectively. But, besides just repairing damages, there are several other reasons why you need to use a roof sealant on your motorhome. They include the following.
- Extend Roof Life – RVs will not come cheap, and so anything that can help increase their lifespan is much welcome. Roof sealant is one such item as it helps protect the roof from different elements, which increases their life and hence the overall lifespan of the RV.
- Leak Prevention – Leaks can ruin the interior of the RV and make it very uncomfortable, but using RV sealant will help ensure you never have to worry about them. And the sealant will help both with sealing existing leaks and prevent new ones from appearing.
- Makes RV More Comfortable – Using a roof sealant can also contribute to making the interior of your motorhome more comfortable because some reflective ones like silicone help to ensure the interior does not heat up excessively.
- Wear-Tear Resistance – RV roof sealants can also be very helpful in preventing wear and tear on the roof that often results from excessive vibrations.
- Provides UV Protection – UV rays can easily cause discoloration on your RV roof, and hence give it an unsightly look. A good sealant can help prevent or at least minimize the damaging effect of UV rays on your motorhome’s roof.
How to Use RV Roof Sealant
Now that you know what an RV roof sealant is and why you need to use it on your motorhome, the next step is to understand how to use it to keep your RV roof in great shape. And while, how you use it is largely dependent on the sealant type, below we highlight some overall steps that will work for most common types.
What You Need
- Carpet blade, putty knife or abrasive brush
- RV sealant
- Ladder for climbing up if RV does not have one
- Trash bag
- Water and detergent
Step by Step Directions
Step #1: Park in a Properly Ventilated Area
The first step when using any chemical substances like sealants on your RV should always be to park it in a well-ventilated area. This ensures safety for the user and minimizes health risks. Also, you should make sure that you get rid of anything that can cause ignition as some of the sealant materials tend to be highly flammable.
Step #2: Clean Roof Thoroughly
Once the RV is parked in the right place now comes the actual job. And here, the first thing that you need to do it to give the roof and any other part of the RV that you intend to seal a thorough cleanup. Just wash it normally as you would wash your vehicle with water and some detergent and using a brush to scrub it.
Step #3: Remove the Old Sealant
The next step is to allow the roof to dry for a few minutes and then remove any old sealant that might be hanging loose on your roof. Here you will need a carpet blade or putty knife, and if you do not have either, an abrasive brush can still get the job done but will take a little extra effort.
Removing old sealant is mostly about scrubbing it off, but if you are still not sure how to do it, you can check the instruction manual that comes with most sealants. And once all the old sealant is removed, you should brush it off the roof and into the trash bag and wipe the roof to clean and dry it.
Step #4: Apply the Sealant
Applying the sealant comes next, and it is the most crucial step of the job as this is where you will need to take extra precaution as it is what determines the level of protection you give the roof.
The actual application depends on the particular type you are using, but the good news is that most manufacturers will always provide clear instructions on what to do. But generally, you need to apply the product evenly and then wait for it to dry before applying another coat.
Step #5: Allow it to Cure
Once you have enough coats of sealant and cover the roof adequately, you need to give it time to cure adequately. The curing time also depends on the type that you are using, and it can range from a couple of hours to several days. But, no matter how long it takes, this is an important step that you should not overlook.
Step #6: Paint the Roof
The last step is more about the roof aesthetics, and it will entail painting it to not only cover the sealant but also to ensure the sealed areas match the rest of the roof. But, if you are using some of those coatings meant to cover the entire roof like the silicone and rubber types, you can skip this part as the roof is always left in a uniform color.
Conclusion
A roof sealant is one of those things that you need to know about if you own an RV as you can almost be certain that at some point you will need to use it.
From helping prevent and repair leaks to offering protection from UV rays and increasing the roof’s lifespan, there are many benefits of using an RV sealant.
But, to get the best service from RV roof sealants, you need to not only how to apply them, but also how to choose the best ones from the many options out there.
Last update on 2023-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
