What happens when you pull or drive an RV down the road going 60 miles per hour? When you hit a pothole or go over a rough road surface, the RV moves and flexes. This in turn moves and flexes all the seams, seals and sealants. This is the primary reason RV manufacturers say it is the RV owner’s responsibility to periodically inspect them. Nothing will hurt the value of your RV more than water damage or delamination.
Simply put, everywhere the manufacturer cut a hole in the RV or anywhere two sides meet needs to be inspected regularly. I inspect the seams, seals and sealants on our RV twice a year at a minimum. I start my inspection on the RV roof, then move on to the sides, then finally look at the front and back. The following tips are easy preventive maintenance checks to make and fixes if you discover any problems.
CAUTION!
If you physically go on the roof, make sure it is designed to walk on. If the RV roof is not designed to walk on, you can inspect most of it using a ladder. Be cautious walking on the roof. Falling off is no fun! If you are not comfortable working on the roof, take it to your local dealer to have the inspections done.
LOOK FOR CRACKED, LOOSE OR SEPARATED SEALANT
When the manufacturer or a technician installs a component, such as the water heater or a window, there has to be some type of seal. That sealant or butyl tape is used to prevent water from damaging the RV. Inspecting all these seals and sealants, and taking corrective action when you discover a problem, can prevent water damage on your RV.
When you inspect the seams and seals, look to make sure there are no cracks or separations that would allow water to get in and that the sealant adheres to the surface it is sealing. If any of the sealant is loose or separating from the surface, you can remove it prior to resealing the area. If the sealant still adheres to the surface, but has a crack or looks suspicious you can clean and prep the area and seal over the existing sealant.
PREP & FIX
To prep the surface for new sealant, start by cleaning the surface with an RV roof cleaner designed for the type of roof your RV has. Then go over the surface with denatured alcohol on a rag. Do not saturate the surface with alcohol, just wipe the area thoroughly. Next, determine what type of sealant to use for the surfaces you are sealing. You can check your RV owner’s manual or consult your local RV dealer. Note: Silicone sealant can be used on fiberglass and aluminum siding, but never use it on any petroleum-based product like rubber roofing.
Use a caulking gun and apply a bead of sealant over any cracks you find in the old sealant and anywhere you removed the old sealant. As mentioned, I recommend doing this inspection twice a year, and especially in the fall if you store your RV outdoors, where it is exposed to the elements. Preventative maintenance can help you head off larger issues later and keep you camping!
This article by Mark Polk was originally published in Girl Camper Magazine.
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