Ensuring your recreational vehicle’s longevity is a responsibility you should take seriously if you want to be safe and secure when you take your RV out on a trip. Every part of the RV should be maintained and fixed, but more importantly, you have to pay attention to the roof of your vehicle. This part of an RV is usually overlooked until the time that other parts of the vehicle display damage due to problems with the RV roof.
Preparing your RV roof for repair
Applying coating and sealing materials to the RV roof requires some preparation. The application phase is actually simple. But the roof should first be ready to ensure that the sealing or coating material will adhere to the roof properly. Moreover, the type of coating or sealing material you choose will depend on the material used to manufacture the roof of your RV. Likewise, see to it that you choose the right material when you buy RV roof coating.
Here are the preparatory steps.
Ensure you take the right safety precautions
Check your RV’s manual to know what material was used to produce the RV roof. See to it that the ladder you use is stable. Remove the RV from the garage. It is best to work in the open air since the materials you will use may emit toxic fumes. It is a good idea to prepare an alternate way to go up or down the roof aside from the ladder. Or you can surround the RV with foam or padded material so it can cushion your body in case you fall. Moreover, see to it that you can dispose of leftover materials properly.
Clean the RV roof
After ensuring your safety, the next thing you’ll do is to clean the roof. You can use a power washer to speed up the process. Use water and detergent solution to remove grease and stubborn dirt. A stiff-bristled broom can remove surface dirt and leaves. Pay particular attention to the corners and other hard-to-reach areas. It is vital to clean the roof thoroughly to ensure the coating or sealant’s proper adherence to the surface of the roof.
Perform the necessary repairs
You will usually find an issue with the roof after you have cleaned it. Some cracks, dent, scratches, or holes that are hidden under dirt will come to the surface. You may need to replace flashing, fill holes, or remove peeling and loose materials. You must ensure that the roof surface is flat, smooth, secure, insulated, and ready to receive the coating or sealant.
Allow the roof to dry
One of the reasons you should repair your roof out in the open is to facilitate the roof’s complete drying after washing and cleaning. Apply the roof sealant or coating when the roof is completely dry. Wet surfaces will repel the coating. Leave the RV in the open air for 24 hours to ensure that the entire surface, including the nooks and crannies, is dry before applying your sealant or coating.
Aside from preparing the RV roof’s surface, it is vital to know the type of roof you have, since each roof type requires a different type of coating or sealant. With proper care, RV roof coatings will extend the roof’s life and performance to ensure the proper coverage of your vehicle’s interior.
Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/motorhome-camper-holiday-travel-359500/
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