I have put together a quick list of some of the different types of roofs that we can have on our RV’s and campers that you may find helpful. We will go over in order to point out how to fix each of them.
1) Popup Camper Roofs
There are two possible causes of pop-up camper roof leaks. Neither canvas nor fiberglass roofs are immune to leakage. Here we will cover fixing the canvas area in the RV, followed by fiberglass RV repairs. Seams or holes in canvas roofs can leak. Patch kits can repair small holes in canvas roofs. A new canvas roof may be needed for larger holes. You can use sealants to fix seam leaks which usually last for a season or two. Every six to twelve months, reapply the sealant. It is inexpensive. Seam tape can also be used to fix leaks at seams.
2) Fiberglass Roofs
A Solid fiberglass roofs leak only if they are damaged. The most common cause of fiberglass roof leaks is cutting into the fiberglass to add items like overhead fans, HVAC systems, etc. In some fiberglass roof structures, cracks allow water to enter. Also, holes can be drilled through them, which is easier to fix. If leaks occur around vents, remove the vent and reapply sealant. An added layer of protection can be provided by sealing tape underneath the vent.
3) Aluminum Roofs
An Vents, rivets, or holes in the aluminum RV roof can cause leaks. The RV’s interior ribbing can also leak around dents formed near the dents. It is quite common for Airstream Trailers to leak their roofs. Depending on the severity of the leak, repairing an aluminum roof may require sealing the rivet around the leak, or it may need to be replaced entirely. It’s best to hire a professional to handle aluminum sheeting if you’re inexperienced.
4) Vinyl Roofs
A vinyl roof is usually just a wood roof with a vinyl siding on top. RVs made of wood and fiberglass sheeting are also considered by some people to be vinyl roofs, although they differ. These roofs can be torn or punctured and appear to be less durable than many of the other roofing options on the market. In the case of a vinyl roof, the best thing to do is simply replace the vinyl panel. Alternatively, you can apply fiberglass or even a rubber coating on top of your damaged vinyl roof.
5) Wooden Roofs
Roofs made of wood are rare. RVs with wooden roofs are typically historic and DIY. In the absence of screws or nails, wood does not make a good roofing material. The roof on your RV may need to be replaced if it has a wooden roof. Otherwise, seal the screw and nail holes and trim any corners. Repaint any areas that have not been painted since last year.
6) Plastic Roofing
They usually leak from screws used to mount the roofing or from overlapped areas. Check if the roof is set up correctly. Overlaps and corrugations on corrugated roofs must be in a certain direction. A certain direction must be followed when corrugating corrugated roofs. It is expensive to buy special screws for this type of roofing. When you replace a screw that’s leaking, use sealant on and around the screw. A correctly installed roof and leak-free screws should ensure a trouble-free installation. Of course, this assumes that your panels are not cracked.
