Roof repairs are far too common, but they’re also not all that difficult for the average handy person. Owning an RV is all about freedom. It would only make sense that you’d want to do as many of the repairs yourself as possible. The good news is that many RV repairs are capable of being DIY jobs, so long as you’re relatively handy and willing to take the time to learn.
As with anything, of course, there are also situations where it will be better for you to take your RV to the dealership or a professional repair service that can handle the bigger issues. Generally speaking, basic RV roof repair shouldn’t require this.
RV roofs don’t require a lot of attention. With regular cleaning, they stay in pretty good shape. Of course, the material of the roof and the conditions that the RV is kept in will impact this, as well. For example, an RV stored in a closed space during the off-season will have a better roof than one stored outside or parked under trees frequently. Try to keep your roof away from potential dangers and you’ll spend less time on repairs.
Over time, the joints and seams on the roof are going to crack and need to be repaired. This is usually an easy job that can be done with sealant tape or liquid sealant that’s applied like caulking. Even if you’re not sure about your abilities, you can find videos online that show you how to perform this simple fix. It even includes information about removing the old sealant to put new sealant on every few years, or whenever you replace the roof.
If you have impact damage to the roof that has caused structural damage, you may want to inspect the extent of things before you decide how to proceed. This could be a time to take your RV to the dealership or a licensed repair pro so that your roof gets its integrity back and the entire structure gets properly repaired or replaced.
Basically, it comes down to a judgment call. When there is something that needs your attention on your RV, it will be up to you to decide whether you feel comfortable to DIY or if you think you need to ask for help. Fortunately, for most RV owners, the DIY route is usually the way to go.