That little water stain on the ceiling of your travel trailer may not seem like much, but a leaky roof is no laughing matter. Just like in a house, hidden water leaks threaten the structure and electrical components of a recreational vehicle. An untreated leak can quickly cause thousands of dollars of damage.
Most travel trailers are roofed with a sheet of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) membrane, fiberglass or aluminum. Rubber roofs are susceptible to tearing and long-term sun damage, while fiberglass and metal roofs tend to develop stress cracks and seam leaks.
Instructions
- 1
Look for obvious rips, cracks or tears in the roof material, as well as evidence of poor repairs. The seams around sewer tank vents, rooftop air conditioning units and roof vents are common leak sites.
2Clean the damaged area with soap and water or RV roof cleaner. Remove all wax, caulk, old sealant and any other materials that may hamper adhesion of the repair materials. Cutting with a razor or utility knife, then prying out with a putty knife or scraper is the best method for old caulk removal. On aluminum roofs, rough the area around the damaged spot with a wire brush before application of sealing materials, to ensure better adhesion.
3Use self-leveling caulk designed for trailer roofing to seal leaks around skylights and vent openings.
4Patch rips or holes in EPDM and TPO roofing material. The patch should extend at least 2 inches beyond all sides of the crack or tear. Repair stress cracks in aluminum roofs with RV roofing tape.
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