When you’re shopping for a roof repair, you want to buy the best RV roof sealant for your camper. With so many sealant options, styles, and brands on the market, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when making this decision.
Fortunately, there are some things you can look for during your research to find out which sealant is the best RV roof sealant for your situation.
One area where we have seen people make a mistake is that early precautions with roof maintenance to the point were serious roof damage results. Annual roof inspections are critical to long-term life of your roof. Also, after 5-7 years your roof may be ready for a rv roof sealant. A one coat application of a rv rubber roof coatings such as rv roof magic will extend the life of your roof another 15-18 years. The best rv roof sealants are one coat and never need a primer reducing the amount of weight on your roof. You will also want to look at solvent-based coatings vs water base for any long term solution
Know Your Roof Material
RV roofs come in many different materials, including fiberglass, metal, rubber, and more. It’s important to know the material of your roof because some surfaces require certain sealant product types.
When researching for a rv roof sealer you can take as lot of the guess work out by finding a rv roof sealant that is compatible with all roof types. The versatility of the product particularly if it’s a solvent based product assures that it has all the characteristics needed to protect your roof. For example metal roofs expand and contract with temp changes so you need a product with good tensile strength and elongation. TPO roofs are very challenging to coat so there are only a few that will go directly over TPO for example rvroofmagic.com All roof types will react to environmental conditions differently and age differently due to the limitations of the roof substrate. Finding a high quality rv rubber roof coating will provide protection to 90% of roof types. You will also want to find a coating that does not need primer and is only a one coat application saving you money and time.
If you use a sealant that isn’t compatible with your roof material, it can cause damage to the roof, seals, and more. This can be devastating to your RV and lead to lots of repairs. If you aren’t sure what material your roof is made of, check with the manufacturer.
Know Your Damage Level
The damage level and type can determine what sealant you should purchase. If the damage is extensive, you’ll likely be looking for an all-over sealant product to protect the entire surface.
On the other hand, if you only need to apply a sealant to seams or small cracks, you may look for a more precise sealant product, like a caulking option. Knowing the damage you’re working with will help you choose the right tools and not spend unnecessary money.
Some roofs are sufficiently spot repaired with a quality rv roof repair sealant. These are metal or fiberglass roof where the leak has been identified or say a branch got caught on the roof during backing up. Other like epdm roof and TPO are not so easy to identify. During the ageing process they tent to take on a spongy-like texture and water may seep through and travel underneath the membrane. In those instance you will need a camper roof sealer for the entire roof. Leaks may very well travel 10-15 feet from the source of origin. For metal roofs or seams in particular you will need to reinforce the seam first with something like seam tight and embed a poly fabric. Then top coat that way the seams fully protected.
Pick a Reputable Brand
With so many sealant options available, it’s important to choose one that has a track record of being dependable. Do plenty of research, ask your RV friends, and find a brand that offers a sealant with a warranty or guarantee that will protect you and your roof.
It can be tempting to buy a knock-off sealant to save some money, but this isn’t a good idea. Not purchasing a reputable sealant can leave your roof prone to leaking or damage that you’re trying to avoid.
You have seen sites advertising best rv roof sealant or best rv sealant. Well just what makes a quality roof coating. First is the data sheets. What are you actually purchasing. The data sheets should be on the website allowing the visitor to see just exactly what they are purchasing. Water based coatings vs solvent based. Solvent based coatings are much higher quality and last longer. More specifically solvent-based coatings will actually chemically cross-link to your existing roof. Water based coatings dry with the air temperature. ASTM certification. Be sure the rv roof sealant you are purchasing has the proper ASTM certification otherwise any website can say what their product does. Elongation. Fungicide resistance, flash point, tensile strength. All of these characteristics pay a huge part in the longevity of a roof coating.
Know Your Budget
Roof sealants come in different price ranges, but spending the highest amount possible is unnecessary. Know how much money you can spend on your sealant and find an option that meets your needs and your budget. This will ensure that you aren’t breaking the bank or stretching yourself too thin with your roof repair.
A big factor in looking for the best rv roof coating should never be the cost. Why? Well there are several question you need to ask before deciding on a coatings let along the price.
How many coats does it need
Is it compatible with my roof type
Is it a quality product water-based vs solvent-based
Does it require a primer
Ease of applicaiton
Is there a warranty
How long before I have to recoat
There are many different brands out there but if you can find a rv roof sealer for an rv that only requires one coat no primer and is a quality product now you can look at the price and compare it to other products. For example, if an rv roof coating requires a primer and a main coat you might be over the cost of the “more expensive” product let alone double the work. Also how important is a warranty for you? Is it UV and ozone resistant. Taking the time to call the manufacturer and ask the question that might not be on the website will give you assurances that you are purchasing the best product for your needs.
Ask a Professional
When in doubt, ask an RV repair professional for a sealant recommendation. As experts in the field, they likely have a lot of experience with different styles and brands of roof sealants. They’ll know which ones are great and which ones you should steer away from, depending on your roof type.
There are several types of rv caulking for roofs, acrylic, silicone, butyl etc. There are some very good forums as well as leading industry pros that provide guidance on what is the best to use. And there are very good reasons. Not all caulks are created equally! Depending your roof type some will not adhere for example if you have a silicone roof sealant on your roof you will certainly need silicone caulk. Do you need a self-leveling caulk? One of the most common questions asked is what can I put over my caulk? Again if you have a silicone caulk and want to coat your roof with an acrylic elastomeric you will need to remove the silicone and replace with an acrylic or butyl caulk. It is always a great idea to seek help from the industry pros so you only have to do the work the first time around.
RV Roof Magic Does It All
If you’re overwhelmed with choosing the best RV roof sealant, don’t be. RV Roof Magic is the perfect roof sealant for a variety of roof materials. If you’re looking for peace of mind with your roof, this is the sealant for you.
RV Roof Magic can be used over your entire roof, whether it’s rubber, metal, fiberglass, or any non-silicone material. Plus, it’s waterproof in as little as three hours, and you can put it on today and drive your RV tomorrow.
RV Roof Magic is the only liquid butyl rubber sealant, giving you the flexibility of a liquid application and the impressive protection of rubber. Combine it with any of the other RV Roof Magic products to take care of any roof repairs or maintenance.
The roof of your RV is arguably the most important part of the vehicle. Have peace of mind with the 10-year warranty that RV Roof Magic offers. No matter your roof, RV Roof Magic is the best RV roof sealant for you.
Author’s Bio
Greg Kazmierczak – Senior VP at RV RoofMagic
Greg is a global distribution and e-commerce leader at RV Roof Magic. He specialises in solvent-based, primer-free coating systems engineered for substrates that expand, age, and react differently in the field.