You might not think the words “liquid” and “roof” belong together, but thanks to advanced technology in the area of RV roof treatments, the two go together surprisingly well. The maintenance and repair involved in owning a motorhome or camper are no secret to enthusiasts, but you might not be aware just how easy it is to take the worry of leaks and yearly roof repairs off your mind.

What It Is and Why You Need It

Liquid Roof is the brand name of a synthetic rubber product called EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer). EPDM is engineered to provide motorhome owners with a long-lasting, durable, and effective solution to RV roof maintenance and minor leak problems. It’s designed to allow RV and camper owners with a DIY option to give their rig a “new” roof, repairing minor issues and preventing future ones.

Liquid Roof is formulated in a way that allows you to apply it wet, yet it cures into a flexible, tough, impermeable membrane which can last up to 20 years. The company boasts that the product is able to withstand 100% ponding water, even if it persists the entire year through. It’s also treated with mildewcide and fungicide, which is crucial in preventing moisture from producing potentially dangerous molds that could work their way into your rig.

Advantages of Liquid Roof

There are a lot of EPDM-compatible RV roof treatment products on the market, and not all of them are created equal. Some require the use of a primer coat in addition to multiple top coats. So even though Liquid Roof may seem more expensive at the outset, due to its longevity and the fact that it typically only requires one coat, it is very cost effective over the life of your RV.

This product also gives you the ability to put a whole “new” roof on your rig – as long as there aren’t severe existing structural problems. A new RV roof can cost upwards of $4000, whereas using an EPDM coating can offer the chance to repair minor seam and vent leaks, while giving the entire surface a waterproof membrane. It can withstand temperatures between -40 and 300 degrees Fahrenheit, and is flexible when cured, which means that the expanding and contracting which happens in freeze/thaw cycles will not damage it.

Another benefit of Liquid Roof is that it’s easy to apply. You simply make any needed leak repairs, then roll it on like paint. It should be applied only when the temperature is over 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and when the weather is dry. It takes 24 hours to develop a skin, and one week to cure completely. Once cured, you can breathe easy and simply check the roof every so often to make sure there isn’t any damage from tree branches, etc. If this happens, you can simply patch the affected area.

Don’t let minor leaks and a weathered, aged RV roof keep you from enjoying your adventures. Give your rig the protection it needs and yourself some peace of mind.

You want your RV to last for a long time. You love the trips that you take with the family, and the time that you spend getting to know new people when you are out camping. It’s a great way to have some fun, but that fun won’t last if your RV roof has issues. Understanding some of the basics of RV roof repair, especially taking preventative measures, is important.

Be Proactive

If you are waiting until something goes wrong with your RV’s roof before you do anything, you are doing it wrong. Just because you don’t notice any issues with your roof right now, it doesn’t mean that you should ignore the roof entirely. You wouldn’t ignore checking the oil or the tires, even if they weren’t giving you problems. The roof is just as important.

You should take the time each season to get up and inspect the roof to see if there are any signs of wear and tear, or any other damage. Over time, even an RV roof that has been taken care of can start to have some issues. If there was damage to the roof over the winter, perhaps from a heavy snow or a falling branch, the roof could have some problems.

It’s your job to be proactive and to look for potential signs of damage before they get too bad – and too expensive – to fix. Take some time each season to check out the roof. If you aren’t comfortable doing it on your own, simply take it in to a professional who can get on the roof and give it a once over.

Fix the Issues When You Find Them

If you find that there are any issues with your RV’s roof, repair them as soon as possible. Even if it is something small, like a hairline crack, you will want to take care of the repairs before it gets too bad. Keep in mind that if it rains, the water will still be able to get into your RV through that crack, and it could end up causing some serious damage inside of the vehicle. As soon as you notice a problem, take care of it.

Consider Using a Coating

Whether your roof has leaking issues or not, you might want to look into the benefits of using liquid EPDM coatings for the roof. These coatings can protect your RV from UV rays, they can prevent and stop leaks, and they can provide you with the added protection your roof needs. They are able to withstand both hot and cold temperatures, so it’s a good solution no matter where you might be in the country.

When you follow just a few simple tips, you will find that it’s much easier to keep your RV’s roof in good shape. If you have a solid roof, it shouldn’t be too difficult to make sure the rest of your RV is in great running condition as well. Take good care of your RV and it will take good care of you on your trips.

Whether you are new to the world of RV ownership, or you have been cruising the country in your RV for years, it is good to understand some of the basics of roof repair. While you might generally be concerned with your engine and your tires, the roof is just as important. If you were to develop a leak, it could end up destroying the entire vehicle. The following are some things that you should understand when it comes to RV roof repair.

How Often Should I Check My Roof?

It is a good practice to check your RV’s roof, and to inspect the rest of the vehicle, at least twice a year. You will want to do this at the start and at the finish of RV season. However, there is nothing stopping you from doing spot inspections from time to time as well. Simply looking at the roof and inspecting for leaks before you take the RV out will help you locate potential problems before they become too large to manage.

How Do I Find Leaks?

In some cases, you will be able to see cracks on the top of the roof and around the vents and seams. Other times, the roof might not look like it has any issues, but you will notice that there are water spots on the ceiling of the RV. Always keep an eye out for these issues and then trace the leak back to the source.

Why Is UV Resistance Important?

Since you probably aren’t worried about your RV getting a suntan, you might be wondering just why it is so important to choose coatings for the roof that are UV resistant. While some types of roofs may not require UV resistance because they are made from metal and the sun doesn’t affect them as much, those who are using liquid roof coating will want to choose an option with UV protection. It will help to increase the length of the roofing product and will keep your roof from fading, drying out, and having other issues.

Do I Need a New Roof?

One of the worst fears of any RV owner is suddenly realizing that they need to have a new roof for their RV because they have a leak. Keep in mind that just because the vehicle has a leak, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to have a brand new roof put onto it. What most will opt to do instead is to add a sealant on the top of the roof, such as Liquid Roof. This provides a barrier against new leaks, and it can stop leaks that are already there. It is a simpler and more cost effective option of keeping your roof safe.

Should I Get Help from Professionals?

In some cases, such as coating your roof with EPDM, you can take care of the issues on your own. Other times, they might be too severe, and you may need to have some help from the professionals. If you aren’t comfortable with any of the repairs, talk with the pros.

When it comes to your roof, nothing is more important than whether or not it provides protection from the elements to those inside. Therefore, if a leak emerges, you need to make it a priority to repair it quickly. Aside from the obvious, letting a leak go could cause all kinds of other problems, too. While there are many ways you could go about seeing to your roof’s repairs, using a liquid application is most likely going to be the best.

What Is a Liquid Roof?

If you hear someone mention liquid roof repair, they’re actually talking about using a form of rubber to handle the problem. Specifically, it’s a rubber known as EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer).

While it is applied as a liquid, EPDM usually dries within a couple of hours. Once it does, the result is a hard rubber coating that goes over your roof.

What Types of Roofs Does EPDM Work On?

Liquid roof repair is a fantastic method for handling common leaks that may be affecting your RV. While there are all different types of RVs, as far as liquid roof repair applications go, EPDM will work for all of them. That’s because it will accommodate all types of angles and roofs that have vents or pipes protruding.

Of course, if you have large holes in your roof or some other type of serious damage you need to address, you’ll most likely need a professional to step in first and fix this type of issue. Once they do, though, it would be wise to then put down a coating of liquid roofing.

How Does Liquid Roof Repair Work?

As we touched on above, EPDM is sprayed onto the roof of your RV in liquid form. Sometimes, it’s rolled on, though, like paint. In any case, it doesn’t take more than a couple hours before the rubber turns into the ultimate protection for your roof.

Even if you’re not especially handy, liquid roof repair is something you should have no problem doing. The good news, though, for those of you with huge RVs or who simply don’t want to handle this process is that it’s incredibly affordable. It doesn’t take long hours of work, few people are needed and there is no heavy machinery needed to get the job done.

The Benefits of Applying a Liquid Roof

Aside from how easy it is to install, a liquid roof comes with many benefits. The first is simply how completely it will cover your roof. Nothing else can come close.

Second, there’s the affordability of this method. Whether you decide to do it yourself or hire someone, it won’t cost much to get EPDM applied to your roof.

Third, the finished product will last for decades. This further increases the value of this affordable option. You don’t pay much to apply it and you won’t need to address it again for roughly 20 years.

Even if you have a brand new RV, why risk something happening to its roof? Use EPDM to cover your roof in an impenetrable membrane designed to keep the outside world where it belongs.

Investing in an RV is a great way for a person to hit the open road without worrying about having enough room. An RV will allow a person to cook and to use the bathroom without having to stop. Although the purchase of an RV can be very beneficial, it also comes with a good bit of responsibility as well. The roof on an RV is very important and will require maintenance as time goes by. Using RV roof sealant is important in regards to preserving the functionality of the roof. The following are some of the things that a person will have to do in order to have a successful roof sealant application experience.

The Roof Has to Be Cleaned First

Before any of the sealant is put on the roof, the RV owner will have to take the time to clean it. Using a hard bristle brush and hot soap and water can do wonders for the RV’s roof. If the owner does not clean the surface before applying the RV roof sealant, then they may have issues getting it to adhere properly.

The RV owner will need to take a look at just how dirty their roof is before they begin the cleaning process. If the RV roof is covered in dirt, then the owner will need to take steps to protect the sides of the vehicle. Taking some plastic sheets and drenching them over the side of the vehicle will provide the adequate protection that the RV owner is looking for.

Consider the Tools Needed For the Job

Applying RV roof sealant is not an easy job and will require a number of tools to get the job done the right way. The first tool to think about when trying to have a successful application process is the type of roller to use. There are a variety of foam rollers that will be able to spread the sealant evenly across the roof.

The next tools to think about when trying to get this process done right is the tape that needs to be used. Filling in holes of dips in the roof before applying the sealant will help to ensure it works properly. In some cases, an RV owner will be able to get a kit that will have all of the tools that they need to get the job done.

Know When to Apply the Sealant

Knowing when to put the RV roof sealant on is also a very important thing that the RV owner has to consider. Ideally, the RV owner will want to choose a day that is sunny and warm due to the help it will give the sealant during the drying and curing process. Failing to pick the right time to apply the sealant may lead to longer than normal drying times among many other issues.

The more that the RV owner can find out about the RV roof sealant application process, the better equipped they will be to get the right results.

There are a couple of different roofing products that can be used on RV’s but if yours happens to have EPDM, then you may be interested in what the biggest benefits of EPDM rubber roofing truly are. Chances are unless you’re a professional salesperson in the RV industry the whole “EPDM” terminology goes right over your head. So let’s break it down and take a look at what it is, and what the benefits are.

What is EPDM Rubber Roofing?

First off it’s important to discuss what EPDM rubber roofing is. Obviously it’s a rubber substance used for roofing on RV’s. Its’ proper technical term is: ethylene propylene diene terpolymer. In everyday terms this is a super heavy-duty durable synthetic rubber roofing membrane. It’s very common as you’ll find a large number of RV’s use this substance for the roof.

It’s Easy to Repair and Maintain

Unlike some of the other materials that can be used on the roof of your RV, EPDM is extremely easy to care for and repair. In fact it’s so easy to repair that you could do it yourself in most cases. This means you’ll be able to save money on repair bills. As far as maintenance goes, there is very little required of this rubber roofing.

It’s Easy to Clean

As far as cleaning the roof goes, it’s very simple with EPDM. There are a variety of cleaning options such as using a power washer, using dish soap and a brush, and there are various cleaning products on the market specifically for EPDM roofing. Just be sure if you do purchase a chemical cleaning product that it is safe for rubber roofing, as some can be quite harsh and start to eat away at the roof’s surface.

Enjoy the Color Palette

Maybe you’re used to the traditional aluminum roofs, and if that’s the case it’s time to get acquainted with EPDM.While EPDM isn’t new, it was introduced to the RV market in the 1970s, it hasn’t always been commonplace. With this type of roof RV owners can look forward to a light finish that doesn’t stand out, isn’t an eyesore, and actually adds to the look of the RV. Common colors are white, light blue, beige, and various shades of gray.

Weight and Cost

Then there’s the topic of the actual weight of the roof, which is very light, and the cost, which is also light on the wallet. Alternatives such as fiberglass are much more expensive, and just weigh a lot more. In general a fiberglass roof is going to run you about three times more money, which is probably money you’d rather keep in your pocket at the end of the day.

Creating Happy Customers

EPDM has come a long way since its’ initial introduction and with that said customers can now have all kinds of benefits and advantages to look forward to. So before picking your next roofing material you may want to investigate EPDM in depth.