How to Fix a Skylight on a Camper With a Rubber Roof

trailer image by Greg Pickens from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

A lot of newer campers feature a rubber roof, a thermoplastic polyolefin roof or some kind of rubber coating. Rubber roofing is great for protecting the top of the camper from the elements and is good at keeping out water. However, when you start altering the system by having skylights installed, problems can develop. Leaks can occur around the seal and the plastic needs to be protected from weather and damage.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Car wax
Rags
Plastic putty knife
Rubbing alcohol
Paintable silicone caulk
Rubber sealant
Paintbrush

Step 1

Walk carefully onto the roof. Rubber roofs can be damaged easily with sharp objects. Do roof repairs in the morning, before the roof becomes too hot, and don't wear shoes. There could be small stones or grit in the shoes' treads.

Step 2

Rub a car wax into the skylight to polish and repel outside elements. This will also fill in minor scratches. Rub in with a cloth and then buff with a separate cloth to remove excess.

Step 3

Remove old, damaged caulking. A plastic putty knife can scrape the caulk, but be careful around the roof. Peel the caulk away slowly so you don't damage the roof.

Step 4

Clean the area where the caulk was located with rubbing alcohol and a rag to remove residue.

Step 5

Seal around the light with new caulk. Use a paintable silicone caulk, which is good in hot conditions and waterproof. Squeeze the caulk tube to form a bead of caulk around the light. Use your finger to press the bead of caulk down around the skylight.

Step 6

Paint on a RV rubber roof coating after the caulk is dry. This will add another layer of protection to the sealed area around the light.

Tips & Warnings

If you have severe leaks, replace the weather stripping that the light is sitting on. After you remove the caulk, pop the skylight off and pull out the stripping and lay down new. Set the skylight back on top and re-seal as above.

Article Written By Tara Dooley

Tara Dooley has written for various websites since 2008. She has worked as an accountant, after-school director and retail manager in various locations. Dooley holds a Bachelor of Science in business management and finance.

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