Which RV Roof Sealant Is Best? Here Are 10 Great Options

When it comes to your RV roof, you want to make sure you are properly maintaining it on a regular basis with the best RV roof sealant. Your roof is exposed to the harshest of elements from wind, rain, dirt, and snow. It is very vulnerable and if not properly maintained they start to crack and leak. It can be a silent killer to your RV if not caught in time.

Once moisture gets into your roof and under the boards the only way to repair water damage is a re-haul of the wood and roof. If the leak is really bad, you might have to repair any walls and cabinets that might have also been damaged. We can confidently say it’s not something you want to mess with.

So, your best bet is to maintain your roof regularly! To do this means periodically resealing your roof. If you’ve never performed this type of RV maintenance, have no fear, it’s actually easier than you think.

What Typically Needs To Be Resealed On Your RV Roof

If you go on your roof you will see that you have appliances on your roof like antennas, TV satellite, A/C units, and air vents. You will notice that all these have a sealant around the edges. This is to prevent any chance of moisture getting in where these devices were installed.

How Often Should You Reseal The Roof Of An RV?

When the RV roof sealant starts to dry out and crack, you know it’s time to reseal them. You should get on your roof and inspect the seals and seams at least quarterly. This is one maintenance item that shouldn’t go unchecked, as water damage can lead to expensive repairs.

Depending on your RV model, you may even have RV roof sealant around the edge of your roof. This is because your roof is made of one material that is different from the sides of your RV. To completely protect the roof from any leaks the sealant is added at the seam. It’s important to check this area as well, as it may also need to be resealed over time. 

Some older RVs might need the entire roof resealed. While this might sound like a daunting task, it’s not. Below we cover the different types of RV roof sealant, from simple seal maintenance to total roof coverage.

Pro Tip: If you’re in maintenance mode, check out 5 Annual RV Maintenance Tasks Every RVer Can Do.

Types of RV Roof Sealant

There are many different types of RV roof sealant depending on what needs to be sealed. Each serves a different purpose and you’ll want to have at least one of each on hand at all times. You never know when you’ll need it!

Self Leveling Sealant

When applied, this RV roof sealant will level out on its own to create a smooth and even seal. It’s the most common type of sealant and can be used everywhere on the flat surfaces of your RV roof.

Non Sag Sealant

Just like the name explains, this sealant is a little thicker so it doesn’t sag or drip. This sealant is best for areas that are on the sides of the roof or right at the edge. Where self-leveling would run down the roof, non-sag will not.

Seal Tape

This is a very heavy-duty tape that acts as another form of sealant. This is great for long seams on slideouts, the front cap area, or along the edge of the roof.

Butyl Tape

While seal tape can be used on its own, Butyl tape is best paired with one of the other sealant types listed above. It’s very pliable, so you would want to use this type of sealant when installing a window, skylight, roof vent, etc, and then use another sealant on top of it.

Total RV Roof Sealant

In the case where you need to reseal your entire RV roof, there are RV sealants that can get the job done. You can either have this done by a professional company, like RV Armor, or you can do it yourself. We’ve included a few options below if you want to coat your entire RV roof by yourself.

How Do I Know If My RV Roof Is EPDM or TPO?

Before purchasing your RV lap sealant, you’ll want to know what material your roof is made out of. The best resource to trust when it comes to this is contacting your RV manufacturer.

You’ll want to have the year your camper was made and your VIN handy, if possible. This way customer support can easily look up your RV and see what kind of roofing material they were using at the time yours was built.

For example, our Grand Design Solitude has an Alpha System roof so we do not use Dicor products. Not all Grand Design RVs have Alpha Systems roofs, though, so be sure to confirm with the manufacturer or your dealer which roof you have.

Now, let’s get into your different RV sealant options!

The Best RV Roof Sealants

1. Dicor Self-Leveling Lap Sealant

Dicor Self-Leveling Lap Sealant is one of the best on the market. This self-leveling sealant is easy to apply and once set will last for quite a long time. This product works on most roof types including aluminum, mortar, wood, vinyl, galvanized metal, fiberglass, and concrete.

However, if you have an EPDM roof like us, it is not recommended to use Dicor products on it. It can cause bubbling or rippling in your roofing material.

2. Dicor Non-Sag RV Roof Lap Sealant

The Dicor Non-Sag Roof Lap Sealant is another good product made by Dicor. This sealant is used for the vertical areas where self-leveling won’t work. This non-sag RV roof sealant bonds to most roof types to create a waterproof seal.

3. Alpha Systems Self-Leveling Lap Sealant

The Lippert Alpha Systems Self-Leveling Lap Sealant is what you want to use if you have an Alpha System roof (aka EPDM) like on a Grand Design RV.

This is a self-leveling sealant that comes in multiple colors to match your roof. It’s a sturdy product that is built to last in the harshest of conditions. There is also a non-sag product as well.

4. Alpha Systems Non-Sag Lap Sealant

This is the non-sag lap sealant you want to use if you have an Alpha Systems roof. It also comes in multiple colors and is a great sealant.

5. EternaBond RV Roof Seal Sealant Tape & Leak Repair Tape

The EternaBond RV Roof Sealant Tape is a popular product for many reasons. Not only is it a great sealant but it’s fantastic to have on hand for quick fixes and tears.

It’s a very sturdy product that is made to withstand any weather type. It also works on any roof type. It’s easy to install by rolling out the amount you need then applying it to the area.

This tool is great for ensuring your EnternaBond Tape has full contact with your roof or seam. Just roll over the entire strip for a quick and easy repair/maintenance job!

6. Butyl Seal Tape

The Butyl Seal Tape is perfect for odd-shaped joints and installation projects. It works just as well as a sealant and is easy to apply. All you have to do is roll it along whatever space that needs it and then add another form of sealant on top of it. Because it’s a continuous roll you can make sure to cover any gap, making a tight primary seal.

7. Geocel Pro Flex RV Sealant

This is a clear sealant that can be used for any wall seams on an RV. It has excellent adhesion to most materials, is UV resistant, and can withstand the flexing of a moving RV.

8. Rust-Oleum LeakSeal Flexible Rubber Coating

This oil-based RV sealant dries to the touch in one hour and seals leaks instantly. It is a flexible rubber coating and can even be top-coated with latex or paint.

9. Liquid Rubber RV Roof Coating

The reviews from RVers for this product speak for themselves. With 4.5 stars and over 1,000 reviews, it’s safe to say folks love this camper roof sealant.

This product is solar reflective and UV resistant so it can keep your roof cool on those hot days. You apply this just like paint, with a brush or a roller. Lastly, it’s water-based and contains no harmful odors.

10. Flex Seal Liquid Rubber in a Can

This watertight coating can be used anywhere you need. It seals out water, air, and moisture quickly, so you can use it in a pinch. Additionally, it also prevents rust and corrosion.

How Do I Add Roof Sealant To My RV?

Once you’ve inspected for RV roof and notice a few cracks or holes in the current sealant, you know it’s time to add some more. You’ll first want to make sure you’re working with a clean surface, so we always wash our RV before sealant maintenance.

Once you have a clean surface, you can either add the RV roof sealant directly on top of the old sealant, or you can try to remove the old sealant. We always pull on the old sealant to see if it wants to come off. If it’s loose or weak, we take as much off as we can. If it doesn’t budge, we leave it be and add the new sealant right on top.

About 9 minutes in to the video below, you can see how we identify weak spots and seal our own RV roof.

https://youtu.be/OJdPEwObmpA?t=570

Prevent Water Damage With The Best RV Roof Sealant

Ensuring your roof is properly maintained with RV roof sealant is a big priority! Make sure to check your seals quarterly and add additional roof sealant when needed. This simple task can save you hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars down the road! RV roof repairs due to water damage are not cheap.

Now that you know what’s best for your roof, it’s time to learn about The Best RV Accessories For Clean and Crisp Drinking Water.

Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API