Identifying and Fixing a Mobile Home RV Roof Leak

Nothing decreases the value of your mobile home like water damage from a roof leak. In fact, roofs are the most essential aspect of a mobile home.

Not only do roofs protect your mobile home and its contents, but they also provide your mobile home with structural integrity. A faulty roof means a faulty structure for your mobile home.

Because you want to keep your mobile home in ship-shape, you’re going to need to understand how to deal with a RV roof leak in your mobile home in your mobile home.

The Common Causes of RV Roof Leaks

In order to better deal with RV roof leaks, you need to be able to identify the common culprits of mobile home RV roof leaks.

Rain and snow are two of the primary reasons that roofs begin to leak. Mobile home roofs are typically flat, so the snow is especially an issue because it just sits atop the roof and melts. Melted snow can begin to seep through the roof, especially if the roof is damaged.

Debris and low-hanging tree branches commonly create rips, holes, or loosened seals in your mobile home’s roof, which then allows rain and snow to leak through. Keeping the trees trimmed around your home can help a lot with reducing roof leak issues caused by branches. However, flying debris can’t really be avoided.

If your roof is ever hit by flying debris, immediately inspect it to identify any damage that needs repairing.

Also, many older RV’s and mobile homes start to present moisture issues caused by condensation or improper ventilation. If you own an older mobile home, it’s best to get an expert to check the ventilation of the home and to heed their advice.

Material breakdown and improper installation also tend to cause RV roof leaks. The older and more used a mobile home gets, the more likely the chances that its roof coating will get cracked and stretched. Re-coating your roof every 5 years or so is a great way to avoid water leaks. Sometimes, factories or repair shops don’t properly install the roof of your home, which can lead to leaks and damages. The best preventative measure for this is to consistently inspect the quality of your mobile home.

Identifying a Leak

There are a few, primary signs that allow you to easily identify a leak in your roof. If you can see light peeking through your ceiling, then that means water can get through as well. Dark spots in the ceiling are a sign of moisture from either a leak or condensation issues.

Meanwhile, sagging ceilings or walls, or peeling and cracking on the walls and panels, typically indicate that you’re dealing with a roof leak.

You can also climb atop your roof to inspect it more closely.

However, be careful, and make sure your roof is able to support your weight if you’ve never been up there. The best way to know your roof will support your weight is if your mobile home provides a ladder for roof-access. If not, it’s best to lay sheets of plywood down onto your roof before stepping on it. The plywood helps to better distribute and support your weight.

Repairing Leaks

One of the best and most convenient ways to repair a leak on your mobile home’s roof is to use a quality sealant and roof coating that provides both protection and repair.

If your mobile home has a rubber roof, you can easily and conveniently use a rubber sealer to fill in any cracks or holes in the roofing.

If the leak appears beyond your expertise, it’s best to find a shop to do the required repairs.