RV Rubber Roof

One thing you should not have to worry about when it comes to your RV is the roof. After all, it is one of the most important parts. Could you live without a roof on your house? This is why it is so important to maintain your RV roof. There are three types of roofs when it comes to your RV. First, there is fiberglass. Fiberglass roofs are quickly becoming outdated. They are hard and do not bend or give. They are also smooth and slippery when wet which makes it hard to clean which will definitely make it hard to maintain. The second kind of RV roof is a metal roof. A metal roof is easy to identify. Metal roofs are also much less common than rubber roofs these days. Metal roofs are not very cleverly disguised, meaning they look exactly like metal. It is the only type of roof that has a shiny silver metallic look. Also they are easy to identify because they have support beams every two feet or so. This is because the metal can't hold much weight by itself. Which means if you go on it for repairs or maintenance, you will want to be careful. You will want to stay on the support beams or spread your weight using a piece of wood or other material. Unlike Metal and Fiberglass, rubber roofs are soft, most are completely white, and as time goes by they get a chalky texture because the rubber is wearing down. This is a normal occurrence and can easily be fixed with a number of solutions which you can apply yourself.

Rubber roof coating is very easy to apply, and is also very inexpensive and can be applied rather quickly. Rubber roof coating helps protect your rubber roof. It is applied in a two step process that includes applying a cleaner/activator layer prior to applying the rubber roof coating. This makes sure that the rubber roof coating will adhere well to your RV rubber roof. The coating should be applied in a minimum of two coats by using 1 gallon of coating per 125 sq feet of roofing. A bonus of the rubber roof coating products, is most can be applied to any surface. So if your RV roof is metal, rubber, fiberglass, concrete, or wood, do not fear, it will be able to bond completely and easily. What you get from this relatively easy and inexpensive solution, is another 18 or 20 years out of your RV rubber roof with just one coat!

Knowing that the number one cause of damage to RV's is water damage, looking ahead may save you a lot of time, hassle, and money. That is where rubber roof coating comes in. When you get a leak, multiple problems can occur such as ruined insulation, damaged walls, and there is a possible risk that you could start rotting the framework. You also incur the extra risk of getting mold, which can grow in places that have been penetrated by water. This is the reason to think of preventative measure before it happens, not after. Not only will water damage your roof but you can experience freezing and thawing problems. This can cause your roof to contract and expand, increasing the likelihood of problems with leaks. But with rubber roof coating, these problems can be either minimized, or reduced altogether.

Rubber roof sealant used in conjunction with the other solutions we have discussed so far, can give you added protection. Where as rubber roof coating helps seal the roof from leaks and water damage, rubber roof sealant can help with other troublesome areas where water can still get in and cause the previously mentioned problems. These problem areas can include but are not limited to, roof edges, vent covers, vent pipes, air conditioners and even screw heads. Rubber roof sealant is another case in which it is used as a preventative measure, or a solution to a previous problem. In the long run you will save a lot of money with these products. Rubber roof sealant is designed to work on most surfaces, and remains flexible and is UV stabilized to prevent discoloration and deterioration.

The great thing about RV maintenance is that you can do it on your own, the tasks are relatively easy, and comparatively over the long run, doing it yourself will save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars a year. That is why it is important to keep a list of items that you should be maintaining on your RV, and making sure the sealant on your RV is secure is definitely an item that should be on the list. You should check your problem areas on an annual basis, or if you drive your RV more frequently, even more. Make sure that every area that could cause potential problems is still sealed and not showing any signs of deterioration. Maintaining these problem areas will not only save you money, but extend the life of your RV, and also increase the happiness of your travels.

When doing your routine maintenance, here are some things you should do. 1) Get up on the roof and take a look. You should also take some things with you such as a camera a sharpie or other marker, and a water bottle. Once you are up on the roof, start from the back, and moving forward, observe everything that has been sealed before by another sealant. You should examine the seals closely to see if you can find any cracks that have started. Don't just look for large cracks, also not any smaller cracks that could be a sign of future problems. Any smaller cracks, make sure you make them noticeable by using your marker. The more problematic areas will be where the ladder attaches to the roof as well as the vents for the tanks and the shower. These areas tend to have more problems than others, and should be treated with more care. After you make note of all the problem areas, gather your tools and get to work. After getting everything you need, go ahead and start first by cleaning your old work, so that the rubber roof sealant can adhere properly. Then you are ready to get the real work done.

EPDM Rubber Roofing is a very good way to keep the life of your RV going as long as it can. EPDM Rubber Roofs are usually maintenance free for the first ten years after they are installed. Although you may want to wash it down with soap and water every once in a while. But there are things that you can do that will cause much damage to your EPDM rubber roof. Use of harsh chemicals or any gasoline based products will cause a lot of damage. But going back to the specifics of EPDM rubber roofing, if you see a chalky look as time passes, do not fret, this is completely normal. You may even get some white streaks down the side of your RV, but once again, there is nothing to worry about. This is normal. In fact, this layer is there to protect your rubber roof from degrading. this layer is actually oxidized EPDM and it is there to protect the unoxidized EPDM layer beneath the top layer. EPDM rubber roofing does not last forever, like everything in life, and will eventually need replacing or resealing.

If you notice deterioration in your EPDM roof, there are products you can buy to seal it up. Whatever product you use, make sure it is compatible with your EPDM roof. This is handy to ensure you don't damage the roof further in your effort to fix a problem. The big bonus with EPDM rubber roofing, is that it is durable in any conditions. So when your going from cold to hot, rainy to sunny, and back again, you can feel safe knowing your roof can take the beating. There are many things going for EPDM roofing, such as it can deal with movement in various climates without stressing the roof. Also EPDM roofing is not made with organic materials that can deteriorate more rapidly over time, this ensuring that it is made to last. Also, EPDM rubber roofing is environmentally safe. There is no need to worry about any problems you may cause to the environment by using EPDM. EPDM has also been known to last 40 or 50 years, which means that it will realistically never have to be replaced. This saves you a lot of money in the long run, because not a lot of maintenance is necessary to keep you EPDM roofing intact. Also EPDM is the greatest value in the industry you can get, which means you ca be happy that you got a great cost effective solution to your roofing problem. Another great thing about EPDM roofs, is if your EPDM rubber roof needs repair or modification, this can be done easily, regardless of what its been through.