One of the most important steps to giving your camper a long lifespan is keeping up with the maintenance of the sealants! Check the sealants on a regular basis! Experts suggest that you should check your camper’s sealants within every ninety (90) day period. When sealants are not taken care of water leaks, will occur. This will lead to extensive water damage; which will be very costly!
Inspection:
When getting ready to inspect your
sealants and roof, make sure that the weather is sunny! You do not what the
temperature to be too hot or too cold. The weather and temperature can affect
the way the sealant dries.
When climbing on top of the camper’s
roof, make sure it can support your weight! Once you made sure it’s sturdy,
feel for soft spots with your hands. The soft spots are commonly found on
corners and around the edges of the roof. Be very careful while doing this;
don’t get to close to the edges of the roof! Make note of every soft spot found
on the roof.
Once you are done checking the roof,
continue inspecting the rest of the camper; such as: roof vents, vent caps,
antennas, satellite dish, roof racks, ladders, sky lights, and the perimeter of
the roof. If any cracks are noticed, TAKE
ACTION IMMEDIATELY! If the crack is left go, extensive water damage will be
done to your camper.
Picking a Sealant:
When a crack is spotted, determine
what type of sealant you will need! Never
mix two (2) different brands of sealant together! Two different brands of
sealants never seal together, and this can cause leakage as if you never put
sealant on the crack that was discovered. If you are not sure what type of
sealant was used, remove all sealant and replace with a new brand. Never use a silicone sealant on any type of
roof! Silicone should be used on the inside of the camper only!
Rubber Roofs – Rubber Roof Sealant; such as Dicor
(sold at Susquehanna Valley RV)
Metal Roofs - Self Leveling Sealant; such as Kool
Seal (sold at Susquehanna Valley RV)
Fiberglass Roofs – Fiberglass Sealant; such as Dicor
(sold at Susquehanna Valley RV)
Taking Action:
Thoroughly clean the affected areas
of your camper. Make sure those areas are completely dry before starting the
resealing. Before starting the resealing process, make sure the weather is not
too hot or too cold. The weather and temperature will affect the way the
sealant dries. The best time is to waiting until the soonest sunny day.
Lay a thin line over the defect and
using a small circular motion with your fingertip. Rub the sealant gently into
the crack; make sure there are no air bubbles. Repeat this step. The less
sealant the better! Proceed to the next affected area, and repeat this same
process.
*If you are uncomfortable doing this
process yourself, contact Susquehanna Valley RV to do it for you!
Recap of Process:
1.) Inspect the roof, roof vents, vent
caps, antennas, satellite dish, roof racks, ladders, and sky lights.
2.) Prepare the surface, insuring that it
is dry and clean, before starting the sealant process.
3.) Seal the surfaces using the
appropriate sealer. Never mix two different brands of sealant together!
