How to prevent water damage on your RV

Central Ontario RV Rentals can do a Roof Inspection for you. Let the experts look at your roof. Here are some things we look at below…

Rainwater has a way of finding cracks through which to enter an RV, causing extensive damage to the frame and interior of your recreational vehicle. Such damage can be expensive to repair, so it is important to regularly check for water leaks, especially before and after placing it in storage. Even the smallest splits can cause leaks through the dome and into your trailer. For that reason, it is important to check every seam and every hole the manufacturer created during your bi-annual RV roof inspections. Water can come in through anywhere.

Water damage tends to be progressive. It may look fine on the outside, but over time, internal damage can be extremely destructive. In an RV, water damage can cause the roof, wall and floor to rot away and you may not notice it. 

How to do RV Roof Inspections

The best time to stop a leak, is before it starts. If you notice a crack, call Central Ontario RV Rentals to have it sealed immediately using an RV dealer approved sealant that is compatible with a variety of materials. How do you identify leaks? Look for:

• Any discoloration on the wallpaper, ceilings or on the roof itself. 
• Feel for any soft spots around the air conditioners, plumbing vents, TV antennas, roof vents, or other openings that were cut in the roof.
• Look for wrinkles or discoloration on the wallpaper, and soft spots around openings cut in the door, such as slide outs, doors, vents and windows. 
• Look inside all the overhead cabinets, and the area where the ceiling meets the walls for soft spots or discoloration. 
• Look for signs of water damage or leaks in all your outside storage compartments. 
• On the outside of the RV, check all the roof seams at the front and rear of your trailer. Check that your sealant is still in tact. 
• Check the cab-over bed area and under the mattress for soft spots and discoloration. 
• Identify any signs of delamination, which is caused by water entering the area between the sidewall and the exterior fiberglass. 

RV roof inspection is a good time to also clean and maintain the roof. However, you should only get up on the roof when someone is around to spot for you in case of an emergency. That’s why it’s best to leave it up to the experts. But if you choose to do it yourself, when you climb up the ladder, do a visual survey and look where you will step. Always avoid stepping close to the edge of the roof, on the vent covers, or on sky lights. Do not step on or lean on solar panels and don’t hold onto pipes or antennae.

An important aspect of RV roof inspections is ensuring that the roof is clean and all your equipment in good repair. Look for peeling, chips and cracks on skylights, air conditioners and vent covers. If need be, apply a self-leveling sealant around all your rooftop components. It should be pliable and properly sealed. If you roof sealant is missing, peeling, torn, cracked or dried out, you need to replace it. 

This is also a good opportunity to clean your RV roof using specialised equipment.

Owning an RV is a fantastic investment in your family travels and road trips. However, you may not have the time to maintain and store it. Renting an RV means that you don’t have to worry about the day-to-day maintenance and RV roof inspections, as the rental company does that for you. 

Either way, RV roof inspections are vital to enjoying safe trips and protecting your trailer at all times.