While you’re getting your RV ready for the upcoming camping season, don’t forget about inspecting your RV’s roof. Checking for damage and possible leaks, especially around seams and rooftop accessories, can save you from costly repairs and headaches later on. Maintaining your RV roof is very important in terms of preventing leaks. If you are taking your RV out on a camping trip soon, you’ll want to be prepared and have peace of mind when that springtime rain starts to fall.

While fiberglass and aluminum can be used for RV roofs, most of them are made from some type of rubber, typically EPDM or TPO. EPDM stands up to sun exposure more easily, allowing it to last for many years before needing replacement. TPO is usually white in color, allowing it to better repel the sun’s rays, thereby keeping your RV cooler on the inside. TPO can still last up to a decade with proper maintenance. RV roofs should be cleaned a few times a year, or more, depending on how often you use it and what kind of elements it’s exposed to. Whenever you clean your RV’s exterior, it’s best to clean the roof first. This way you can clean anything that dripped off the roof along the sides afterward. Make sure you do not use any petroleum-based cleaners on a rubber RV roof, as it will cause damage to the material. Besides checking for leaks, you should also recoat the entire surface of your roof at least once a year.

If you spot small tears, patch kits can easily take care of repairing them. With larger tears and damage, you’ll want to make use of RV roof repair tape, such as EternaBond. EternaBond RoofSeal and RoofSeal PLUS come in several different colors to match your RV’s roof. RoofSeal PLUS is nearly double the thickness of standard RoofSeal tape. Before laying down the tape, the surface needs to be clean and free of debris. Cut the length of tape that you need but do not remove the protective lining all at once. Peel off the lining as you lay the tape down, as it creates a permanent seal, so it will prevent the tape from getting stuck to itself. Once the tape is fully down, use your hand or a roller to remove air bubbles and activate the bonding process. There should be at least an inch of tape on either side of a tear or seam.

Using EternaBond on your RV roof seams, tears, and around rooftop accessories will prevent further damage and keep your roof in good condition. EternaBond also has AlumiBond tape for metal surfaces, DoubleStick tape to be used as a gasket for gaps and openings, and WebSeal tape that features a woven backing to easily fit around objects. Besides tape, EternaBond carries caulk for around windows, doors, and vents.

Maintaining Your RV Roof with EternaBond Tape