RV Roof Sealant: The Inspection That Prevents Water Damage
Most RV water damage starts on the roof. Here's how to inspect sealant and when to reseal.
Apex RV Team
Red Seal technicians ·
At a glance
Most of the soft floors and delaminated walls we repair started with a small crack in the roof sealant. Desert sun bakes sealant fast. Here's what to look for on the roof, how often, and what to leave to a technician.
Most of the soft floors, stained ceilings and delaminated walls we repair started with a small crack in the roof sealant. Water gets in slowly, out of sight, for months before it shows. South Okanagan sun is very hard on sealant, so it pays to look more often than the brochure says.
How Often
Inspect the roof at least twice a year, in spring and before winter storage, and after any hailstorm or trip under low branches.
What to Look For
- Cracked, shrunken or lifting sealant around vents, skylights, the A/C shroud, antennas and solar mounts
- The front and rear cap seams and the edge where the roof meets the sidewalls
- Chalky, thin or torn roof membrane
- Soft spots when you walk, which can mean the decking underneath is already wet
Inside, look for brown stains on the ceiling, a musty smell, or bubbled wall panels near corners.
Use the Right Product
Roofs are rubber (EPDM or TPO), fibreglass or aluminum, and each needs a compatible sealant. Self-levelling lap sealant is for flat roof seams; non-sag sealant is for vertical edges. The wrong product, or a fresh bead over old failing sealant, doesn't bond and leaks again. Old sealant usually needs to be cleaned back first.
Safety
Many RV roofs aren't built to be walked on. Check your manual, use a proper ladder, and stay off a wet roof. If you'd rather not go up, our technicians do roof inspections and resealing, and can check for hidden moisture before it becomes a structural repair.
Rather we take a look?
In our Okanagan Falls shop or at your campsite.
