If you’ve talked with other RV owners, you have probably heard many of them lament about damage to their roofs. Most people don’t even notice that there are problems with their roofs until they find a leak. They may not be paying close enough attention to their roof, and this could end up costing them a lot of money. Below are some of the most common reasons RVs have damage to their roof, along with tips on what you can do about RV roof repair.
Constant Exposure to the Elements
Think about all of the things that your RV roof has to deal with whether it’s sitting out front or you are traveling. The roof is always exposed to the elements. It has to deal with dirt and grit, leaves, twigs, rain, sleet, hail, and damaging UV rays. All of these things will start to wear the roof down over time.
Eventually, there will be enough damage to the roof, the caulking, etc. that a leak will start. It might be a small leak and you might not notice right away. This is the insidious part about these leaks. They start small, but they can cause a substantial amount of damage before you notice them. This is especially true when you aren’t traveling and aren’t spending a lot of time in the RV to notice the damage.
Weight from Snow
During the winter, if you live in an area where it snows, consider how much weight is put on the RV’s roof. Even a small amount of snow can be heavy. You wouldn’t allow snow to pile up on your house’s roof, and you shouldn’t allow it with your RV roof. Try to park in a location that’s covered to keep your RV safe. If you can’t, be sure that you are removing snow from the roof, or you could find yourself with an expensive RV repair next spring.
Falling Branches
Branches falling out of trees can scrape and even puncture the roof. You need to be careful about where you are parking the RV. Don’t park under trees, even if you are certain there’s no way the branches could fall. It’s better to be safe rather than sorry.
Storing Heavy Items on the Roof
Are you storing items on your RV roof? Whether you do this when you are traveling or when you are at home, it’s a bad idea. Just like snow, adding extra weight to the roof for long periods is a bad idea. It can cause a host of problems that will require proper RV roof repair.
Inspect the Interior and Exterior of Your RV Regularly
To help reduce the risk of leaks, you will want to inspect your RV roof regularly. When you are sweeping away debris and cleaning your roof, check for tears and holes, issues with the caulking, etc. Look for anything that’s out of place and get it repaired right away. There’s no such thing as a small leak.
Make sure you are inspecting the interior of the RV, as well. The damage to the roof might be small enough that you can’t find it on your own. However, when you look inside, you might find telltale signs of leaking such as ceiling stains, brown spots, and soft spots.
Use a Quality RV Roof Coating for More Protection
One of the best ways to make sure your RV roof is safe from leaks is with a coating like RV Roof Magic. This is a good option to help keep your RV protected from the elements for years to come. Make sure you take your RV roof repairs seriously and attend to them as soon as you can.