How to Perform Minimal to Extreme RV Roof Repairs
If you are lucky to have caught the leak before it started wreaking havoc on your RV, it could be as simple as ordering our RV Flex Repair One Weekend Roof Kits and following our easy video tutorial. If you dont feel you need the entire kit, we have Self-Leveling Caulking or RV Flex Repair Tape too.
If you weren't as lucky to catch the leak in time, and you suspect further unseen damage then you are in luck: we are going to give you some tips on how to perform some easy roof repairs.
Disclaimer: We always suggest you speak to a qualified RV technician before attempting repairs yourself. The problem with a leak is once you start opening things up, it could be much worse than you initially suspected.
However, we know you DIYers are out there, and regardless of what we say–we know you're already knee-deep in wet insulation: so here are some tips.
A Small Puncture or Tears
A small puncture can easily be fixed with our RV Flex Repair Tape as long as you are able to leave decent space for adherence. Ensure the small puncture is the center of our 4” flex tape leaving roughly 2in clearance all the way around the puncture.
Follow our instructions here on how to apply the RV Flex Repair Tape. We recommend also applying RV Flex Repair 100% Silicone Roof Sealant Coating for a seamless end repair. If you do not want to use the coating, you will need to run a bead of our Self-Leveling Caulking around the edge of the RV Flex Repair Tape repair.
We encourage you to consider sealing your entire roof because if there is one small puncture, there might be more that are not as noticeable.
Repairing the Interior
If you see discoloration or the interior roof is wet or soft to touch, then you might want to remove the interior panel and replace any studs or insulation that has become waterlogged as it is conducive to mold growth. You will have to remove any trim that is holding the panel up, and then it should be held up by staples that can easily be removed: but not always.
If you do not see any discoloration and the ceiling is not wet or soft, you may want to run a dehumidifier for a couple of days to ensure you do not have any moisture locked into the ceiling.
Some water damage can only be repaired by peeling back the rubber roof on the exterior and replacing plywood/panels, studs, and insulation from the outside. As well some damage may be so extensive that you may have to replace your entire rubber roof.
In general, we recommend getting a second opinion before opening up your roof. Most repair people will tell you whether they think you can easily perform the repair or if the damage is so extensive that you should just replace the roof. The key take-home is catching the leak early enough to reseal instead of having to perform a replacement.
Check your roof every season and after any long-distance haul.
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