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How to Fix a Leaky RV Roof

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By Richard Thomas
How to Fix a Leaky RV Roof
The roofs of RVs are prone to developing leaks. Like the roof of a house, the are often exposed to the elements every day, all year around. While it is uncommon to see an actual puncture in a roof due to routine wear and tear, the seams and seals wear away more often than is the case with a building's roof. Thankfully, fixing these leaks and holes is usually straight-forward and requires only a few basic supplies and tools.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You'll Need:
  • Ladder (probable)
  • Push broom
  • Bucket
  • Car wash detergent
  • Mop
  • Putty knife
  • Pocket knife
  • Caulk
  • Caulking gun (possible)
  • Paint roller with long handle
  • EPDM compound
Step 1
Climb on top of the RV and clean off the top. Start by using a push broom to sweep away leaves, loose dirt and other debris. Then mop the roof with a mix of car wash detergent and water to remove any grime, and rinse that away with a hose. You should be especially careful to avoid putting too much water in any area that is known to be leaking.
Step 2
Allow the roof to dry in the sun before proceeding.
Step 3
Examine the seams in the roof around the leaky area for damage in the caulking. These are found at the joints where the roof meets the walls of the RV and around openings for sunroofs, vents and air conditioners. Using a putty knife and a pocket knife, strip out the entire section of old, worn-out caulking from that seam.
Step 4
Repair small holes in the roof with an EPDM patch. Take off the piece of film covering the adhesive and put the patch over the hole, pressing down on it to make sure of a good, full-contact bond. These often come in 6-inch squares, which is sufficient to handle typical roof damage. Larger holes should be repaired by a professional.
Step 5
Apply a new line of caulking to the stripped seam. Marine caulking is the best choice , but you can use exterior-grade silicon caulking if no marine caulking is handy.
Step 6
Remove all fittings, such as antenna or an air conditioner from the RV roof. Then apply a coat of EPDM rubber roofing compound, such as Liquid Roof, to the top of the RV using a long handle and paint roller.
Step 7
Allow the rubber roofing compound to dry overnight before replacing the roof fittings.

About The Author

Richard Thomas has been writing since earning his M.A. in international affairs in 1997. A former cheap travel blogger for eHow and senior travel editor for Associated Content, he has traveled from Argentina to Vietnam. Thomas usually writes about boxing, hiking and scuba diving, as well as on the food and wine of his current home of Portugal.
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