Repairing Guides

how to repair a rubber roof on a camper

by Nyasia Prosacco Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Replacing an RV rubber roof

  • First, take off all of the rooftop objects like the A/C, vents, etc.
  • Remove the old rubber membrane and sub-roof sheeting from the roof.
  • Place a new rubber membrane and sheeting that goes under the rubber.
  • Reinstall the rooftop objects.
  • Apply sealant to all of the seams and joints.

Part of a video titled RV 101® - How To Repair an RV Rubber Roof - YouTube
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It's a peel and stick repair material similar to the dye seal patch. And it can be used on epdm tpoMoreIt's a peel and stick repair material similar to the dye seal patch. And it can be used on epdm tpo fiberglass and metal roofs. Let's take a closer. Look clean the surface being repaired with dicor.

How to replace a roof on a camper?

What is the best rubber roof coating for RV?

  • Proguard Liquid Roof RV Roof Sealant.
  • Flex Seal Liquid Rubber in a Can.
  • EternaBond RoofSeal Sealant Tape.
  • Dicor Rubber Roof Acrylic Coating.
  • Sashco Through The Roof Sealant.

How to put a rubber roof on a camper?

How to Put a Rubber Roof On a Camper?

  1. Remove All of The Old Roofing Material. You want to start by removing all of the old roofing material from your camper. ...
  2. Clean the Camper One More Time for Good Measure. ...
  3. Put the Adhesive On. ...
  4. Put the Rubber Roofing On. ...
  5. Consider Adding Tar Paper If Needed. ...
  6. Caulk Around the Edges. ...
  7. Cover the Roof with a Tarp If Needed. ...
  8. Enjoy your new camper. ...

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Does my camper or RV have a rubber roof?

There are several types of roofs on RVs. The most common are rubber membrane roofs (EPDM/TPO) and fiberglass roofs. Rubber roofs are made of a thin weatherproof membrane that is stretched across a wooden substrate. Fiberglass roofs are molded and it’s best to keep them waxed so anything that lands on the surface will slide right off.

How to repair a leaking Camper and RV roof?

To fix this kind of damage, all you really need to do is install a patch:

  • Thoroughly clean the area around the repair.
  • Remove any excess silicone.
  • Apply sealant or caulking to any recesses, and let dry.
  • Glue down any loose roof membrane, and add fasteners if needed.
  • Let it cure 24 hours.
  • Apply the patch so that there’s at least two inches of overlap on all sides of the repair area, and cover any reinforcement fasteners.

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Can you patch a rubber camper roof?

3:185:43How to Repair a Tear or Puncture in your RV Roof - RV 101 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe iCore products offers roof repair tape and six inch or 12 inch widths by 25 foot lengths. It's aMoreThe iCore products offers roof repair tape and six inch or 12 inch widths by 25 foot lengths. It's a peel and stick repair material similar to the dial patch.

Can You Use Flex Seal on a rubber camper roof?

Yes, you can safely use Flex Seal on your RV roof. Flex Seal Sealer, allows to stop liquid or gas leaks in roofs, drains, skylights, ventilation systems, ducts, trailers, among others. It can be used on wet or dry surfaces. It is made with black liquid rubber that helps cover fissures, cracks and holes from any angle.

How do you patch a hole in a rubber RV roof?

1:334:39How To Repair Holes in an RV Roof - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDicor is perfect for this job. Too just add a good bead of dicor all the way around the opening.MoreDicor is perfect for this job. Too just add a good bead of dicor all the way around the opening. Then put the cover back in place install the screws. And finish with another layer of dye core.

How much does it cost to replace a rubber roof on a camper?

How much does it cost to replace an RV Rubber roof? Expect to pay between $3,000 and $8,000, depending on the size of the RV roof. Paying $300 per foot is typical for most RVs.

What is the best sealer for camper roof?

The 7 Best Roof Sealants for Your RVEternaBond Tape Micro Sealant. ... Geocel ProFlexRV Flexible Sealant. ... Dicor Rubber Roof Acrylic Coating. ... Pro Guard Liquid Roof. ... Liquid Rubber RV Roof Coating. ... Dicor Self-Leveling Lap Sealant. ... Heng's Rubber Roof Coating. ... Rust-Oleum LeakSeal Rubber Coating.

How do you seal a leaking camper roof?

3:137:09How To Fix RV LEAKS The Right Way! Don't use the wrong products ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe dye core product it's a lab sealant.MoreThe dye core product it's a lab sealant.

How do you repair a soft camper roof?

How To Fix Major Soft Spot DamageStep 1: Inspect your RV roof thoroughly. ... Step 2: Remove all roof vents and fixtures. ... Step 3: Remove top layer and insulation. ... Step 4: Replace rotted/damaged wooden beams and identify the source of the leaks. ... Step 5: Install new roof and insulation.More items...

How do you fix a cracked RV roof?

1:202:16RV Roof Repair: Spot Sealing | Pete's RV Quick Tips - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is a dike or lap sealant this is formulated for the rubber roofs. So what I'm going to do isMoreThis is a dike or lap sealant this is formulated for the rubber roofs. So what I'm going to do is just take this and shoot it over my clean spot. And cover that crack. This is self leveling.

How do you repair a water damaged RV roof?

13:3214:24How To Repair Water Damaged RV Roof | Better Then New - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe eternal bond tape. Is amazing stuff i'll use this in the future if i ever have an old camperMoreThe eternal bond tape. Is amazing stuff i'll use this in the future if i ever have an old camper again so you spray down the primer. And then you power wash it off you let it completely dry. And then

How long do rubber roofs last on campers?

Although most rubber roofs are guaranteed for 10-12 years and can easily last for 20 when well cared for, a snagged tree branch can tear the roofing membrane.

What does it cost to put a new roof on a travel trailer?

The cost of replacing an RV roof will be around $300-$325 per linear foot. If your RV is 36 feet long, it would cost between $7,000 and $12,000 to replace the roof of your RV.

How often should you seal RV roof?

In fact, about every two to four years is ideal, depending on the kind of weather you have and the type of environment you drive through on a regular basis. Certain kinds of climates can cause more wear and tear on the roof than others. And always, after a large storm or heavy snow, inspect the roof for damage.

Can You Use Flex Seal on membrane roof?

Most of them will be because these sealants work with fiberglass, metal, EPDM rubber, and TPO. Unless your roof is made with some other material, you should be safe to use Flex Seal on it.

How do you coat a rubber roof?

3:125:42How to apply White Roof Coating System over EPDM - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo apply the 407 EPDM an SPF base coat will need to mix the product first you can do that with theMoreTo apply the 407 EPDM an SPF base coat will need to mix the product first you can do that with the stick or an electric mixer. Remember.

Will silicone stick to EPDM?

Not all Dicor caulk is designed for EPDM roofs. You have to read to label. Silicone will NOT adhere to rubber. You can peel it right off.

How to fix bubbles on RV roof?

When you see a ‘bubble’ spot on your roof, the safest way to fix it is to cover the place with a rubber roof coating. Don’t let your habit of poking around makes matters worst on your RV roof. Use butyl rubber products – you should use a sealant that has a butyl rubber in it.

What is the best roof for an RV?

EPDM roofs are the preferred type of RV roof by most RVers because they last longer compared to other roofs. You can use Dicor coating to cover the spot on your RV roof. However, because the EPDM roof features low maintenance, washing with soap is enough to clean off the roof.

What is EPDM roof?

EPDM and TPO rubber roofs are the most common materials used in motorhomes, travel trailers, and other RV vehicles. EPDM rubber roofs are designed to oxidize over time. As the oxidization happens in your RV’s roof, it only improves its durability against the sunlight.

Why do RVs degrade?

There are many things to consider when prepping your RV for a repair. Weather conditions and water damages are the primary suspects why most RVs start to lower their value and degrade. Even if your RV has a rubber roof, the results of ignoring such conditions can be damaging and may end up losing your RV permanently.

Why do RVs need to be repaired?

Conclusion. The primary cause of major repairs in all types of RVs is water damage and the age of the RV. As the RV gets old, the roof starts to deteriorate, and leaks show up. However, you can still salvage and revive the appearance of the RV to make it new again.

Can you paint a leaking RV roof?

You can paint the leaking area and then let it dry for some time to cover the hole. Don’t use abrasive products – never use harmful products to trim off a spot on your RV roof. Using harsh products to rubber roof will likely lose the resistance of the roof to weather and water.

Does a TPO roof shed?

On the other hand, the TPO roofs are designed to avoid such oxidization from the RV roof. This type of rubber roof shows no streaks and does not shed any layers. Regardless of what type of rubber roof your RV has, caution should be exercised when conducting repairs on your RV roof.

Identifying A Fiberglass Roof

Most modern RVs do not have fiberglass. The reason being the fiberglass RV roofing is becoming rare. Fiberglass roof display below characteristics.

Different Types Of Rubber Roofs

There are two different types of rubber roofs: EPDM and TPO. EPDM is short for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer. TPO stands for thermoplastic polyolefin, a synthetic rubber used on RV roofs. The trick is to find out what type of rubber roof you have, so you can maintain your rubber roof the right way.

Finish Up The Rv Rubber Roof Replacement

With the new roofing material installed, youre almost ready to get back on the road. Cut out the holes for your rooftop equipment.

Remove All Vents Hoods & Housings

The first thing we need to do is remove any vents, vent hoods, and housings that are on the roof of your vehicle.

How To Know What Type Of Roof My Rv Has

Taking care of your camper is essential if you want to have it serving you for a long time. Neglecting it will lead to wear and tear. However, if you do not know the type of roof you have, it will be a challenge for you to give it the best care.

Repairing Or Replacing Your Rvs Roof

Lets face it, when owning an RV, theres a good chance that at some point youll need to repair your roof, especially if you own it for several years, use it often or your RV is exposed to varied natural elements. Another thing to keep in mind when using your RV, is that when you are in motion, youre exposing your roof to constant wind.

How To Coat A Rubber Rv Roof

If your RVs roof is made of EPDM or TPO, you will need to re-coat it every year or so to maintain it properly and maximize its lifespan. Here are the steps for Applying Rubber Roof Coating To Your Camper:

When to Repair, Reseal, or Replace An RV Rubber Roof

The roof of an RV can be easily forgotten since it’s very much out of sight, out of mind. But every kind of camper roof requires preventive and routine maintenance. And sometimes emergency repairs as well.

RV Rubber Roof Repair

Let’s say you’re out camping and a tree branch falls on your RV. You climb up there to check out the damage and you see that a hole has been made in the thin rubber roof membrane.

RV Rubber Roof Reseal

Resealing your camper roof is something that should be done regularly. Many RVers do it every year, but sometimes you can go a few camping seasons without having to do a full reseal. Especially if your RV spends most of its days in covered storage.

RV Rubber Roof Replacement

Knowing when to fully replace an RV rubber roof can be a little more difficult than knowing when to repair or reseal.

Frequently Asked Questions About RV Rubber Roof Repair

EternaBond tape is very difficult to remove, which is part of the reason it’s one of the best camper roof sealants.

How long does a RV roof last?

RV roof maintenance is essential. Nothing lasts forever, so as much as modern roofing materials are meant to last for several years, it is inevitable that you will have to take action against the damage caused by oxidation and UV rays.

What happens if you don't inspect your RV roof?

If you do not inspect your seams regularly and take care of your rig, you will end up with expensive-to-repair water damage.

What does an EPDM roof look like?

EPDM roofs start to look chalky and some streaks may appear on the sides after it rains. This chalky layer protects the rubber from degradation. It is oxidized EPDM. If your roof begins to degrade, there are some products you can use to reseal it, sort of like sealing asphalt on your driveway.

What is the best product to seal a metal roof?

Household roof coatings will seal a metal roof just fine, but the best product by far, for metal roofs, is Kool Seal . If you need to repair structural damage, not just seal a roof, Eternabond seam tape is the product for you. Eternabond comes in four-inch rolls that you apply over your roof’s seams.

How to restore gloss on roof?

In order to restore the gloss, you first must clean your roof thoroughly. Use warm water to sponge the surface clean, then let it dry. In order to get the best results, the surface must be free from any oil or grease. You can use MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) or acetone to remove any grease stains.

How much does a rubberized leak stopper cost?

The rubberized leak stopper is also great for RV roof repair. It sells for $17 per gallon, and seeps into cracks and crevices to bond with the metal and create a permanent seal. It will ruin your clothes, so be careful not to spill any, as it does not wash off. Wear gloves!

Can you use citrus cleaner on rubber roof?

Never use a cleaner that contains petroleum solvents or citrus ingredients on your rubber or vinyl roof, as they will cause permanent damage to the surface. This would allow rain or melted snow to easily seep into seams and damage wall panels, ruin insulation and even rot framework.

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