Your 3 Options for Repairing Your RV Rubber Roof!

Considering RV roof repair in western Pennsylvania? We’re here to help! There are three options (good/better/best) for RV rubber roof repair: resealing, recoating, or replacing.

This “cheat sheet” is specific to Sterling RV Services LLC. We offer mobile RV repair and retrofit services to western Pennsylvania in the Laurel Highlands region, extending as far south as Maryland and West Virginia. Please see our FAQ “Do You Repair RV Roofs?” for further information and inspection pricing.

Option 1: Resealing Your RV Roof

Your RV roof is like a pincushion. Air conditioners, vent pipes, antennae, and other components stick through it like so many needles. Most of these exterior components are screwed into the deck itself. This creates holes and seams, which are waterproofed using self-leveling caulk.

The edges of your roof are protected and secured by aluminum moldings, also screwed through the membrane into the roof or sidewall structure. These trim moldings create seams that are waterproofed using non-sag caulk.

These sealants are not permanent and must be periodically replaced. They crack, flake, separate, and peel. They last anywhere from 1-7 years (3-5 on average) depending on the quality of the caulk, the care of installation, and how the RV is stored.

What About Water Leaks?

It is important to note that not all water leaks can be fixed with a roof reseal! Water leaks from air conditioner foam gaskets, slide-out seals, slide-out T-molding, roof-edge corners, and sometimes front and rear caps cannot be fixed with a simple reseal.  

What Is the Resealing Process?

1. We will lightly scrub and sweep your roof.
2. Any rips or tears in the membrane will be patched with RV roof repair tape.
3. Any damaged roof vents, shrouds, or vinyl insert trim will be replaced.
4. We will physically scrape off as much of the old caulk as possible.
5. We will clean and prep the areas and apply new sealant to all roof components and trim.

FAQs

• Price: Approximately $15-$25/linear foot of main roof + $10/linear foot of slide-out roof (optional).
• Time: Resealing an RV roof usually requires 3-8 hrs of labor.
• Can I still live in the RV? Yes, you can.

Option 2: Recoating Your RV Roof

A roof recoating is a fancy Band-Aid that extends the lifetime of an aging roof. As RV rubber roof membranes (EPDM, PVC, TPO) age, they weather. PVC roofs grow brittle; EPDM roofs become thin and chalky. These effects may be halted or delayed by coating the roof with a liquid-applied film, like a paint.

Recoating is a labor-intensive process. The roof must be fully cleaned, which may involve scrubbing, rinsing, power washing, and drying. (Usually, this requires cleaning the sidewalls of any dripping residue as well.) All the old sealants must be removed and re-applied, and the work area protected and masked off.

Recoatings may extend the lifetime of an aging RV roof by 5-12 years. Some recoatings may be recoated themselves; some cannot. Once expired, the only remedy is replacement.

Recoating is not usually recommended or necessary for fiberglass and aluminum roofs.

What About Water Leaks?

The recoating itself is not responsible for fixing water leaks. The purpose of a recoat is to extend the lifespan of an aging roof and reduce solar heat gain. However, because the roof is resealed as part of the process, this also covers up pinholes and seams, which can reduce water leaks as well.

What Is the Recoating Process?

1. We will power clean your roof!
2. Any rips or tears in the membrane will be patched with RV roof repair tape.
3. Any damaged roof vents, shrouds, or vinyl insert trim will be replaced.
4. We will physically scrape off as much of the old caulk as possible.
5. We will clean and prep the areas and apply new sealant to all roof components and trim.
6. We will recoat the roof membrane with a premium liquid-applied coating, which may require a primer and several coats depending on your roof type and condition.
7. We will reinstall any shrouds or covers, and wallah! – it is finished.

FAQs

• Price: Approximately $75-$125/linear foot of main roof + $25-$50/linear foot of slide-out roofs (optional).
• Time: Resealing and RV roof usually requires 2-4 days. The first day is cleaning and prepping the roof, but the roof must be allowed to fully dry before applying the roof coating. (A second day is sometimes required for larger roofs or if extensive roof repair is necessary.) Last is the actual recoating, which may require two days for extra large roofs or membrane types that require a primer.
• Can I still live in the RV? Yes, you can.

Option 3: Replacing Your RV Roof

At some point, your aging RV rubber roof will need to be replaced. EPDM roofs will generally last for 10-20 years; premium TPO and PVC roofs can last 30+ years with proper care and storage.

A roof replacement may also be required because of water damage rather than aging. If your roof decking or framing has been infiltrated by moisture, then you must remove the roof membrane to repair the damage.

A roof replacement may also be required because of chemical problems. If the wrong type of recoating was applied, for instance, this can cause an adverse chemical reaction which softens the membrane and often makes it tacky. There is no solution but replacement.

A roof replacement may be required because of object damage, such as from trees, hail, or other events. While most rips and tears can be temporarily fixed using RV roof repair tape or an RV roof patch, a seamless roof replacement is the only long-term fix.

A roof replacement may be required because of other issues as well, such as if wind-driven air burrows beneath the membrane, causing it to bubble and delaminate.

What About Water Leaks?

There are some water leak sources that a simple roof reseal or recoating simply cannot fix. For these, a full roof replacement is required. A roof replacement should eliminate all water leaks from the roof, but it cannot stop water from entering through your slide-out seals or other sidewall areas!

What Is the Replacement Process?

1. We will remove and store all components from your roof: air conditioners, vents, shrouds, covers, solar panels, antennae, etc. Everything must go!
2. We will remove the aluminum trim and moldings and tear off the old RV rubber roof membrane.
3. We will thoroughly inspect the underlying structure (roof decking, framing) and repair if necessary. This may require overlay decking or even full replacement.
4. We will install a new seamless RV rubber roof membrane over the repaired deck and install new aluminum trim and moldings (e.g. gutter rails).
5. We will re-install the RV roof air conditioners and other base components.
6. We will apply all-new caulks and sealants.
7. We will reinstall any shrouds or covers, and wallah! – it is finished.

FAQs

• Price: Approximately $200-$300/linear foot of main roof + $100-$150/linear foot of slide-out roof.
• Time: Resealing and RV roof usually requires 1-2 weeks. Usually, we will perform this repair in a shop environment, not in the field.
• Can I still live in the RV? No, unfortunately. You will need to make other accommodations.