If your RV was made in the last 10 to 12 years, chances are it has
a rubber roof. It is made of a material called Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer
(EPDM) which is specially made for roofing. EPDM rubber roofing membrane is
made to last 20 years or longer and usually has a 10 to 12 year guarantee.
EPDM manufacturers advise that rubber roof membranes do not
require the use of any protective roof treatment or roof protector product. The
only maintenance recommended is cleaning the roof three or four times a year.
If you have owned a unit with an EPDM roof, you've no doubt
noticed that the roof surface is chalky. Manufacturers say not to worry, this
is a normal process of age and, and that even after 10 years, only 10 percent
of the material is lost due to chalking. Plenty of roof is left.
Regular cleaning will reduce chalk buildup and minimize white
streaks on the sides of your RV. The correct cleaning product is of great
importance for your EPDM rubber roof.
Never use cleaners or conditioners containing petroleum solvents, harsh
abrasives or citric based cleaners on your EPDM roof. Using such solvents
will cause irreparable damage and will most likely void your warranty. If you
are uncertain about what is in the product, don't use it. Of course each EPDM
manufacturer recommends using their own brand of cleaner, but all approve the use
of mild laundry detergent such as Arm and Hammer for Sensitive Skin.
While EPDM rubber roofing does not need to be protected from ultra
violet rays (UV ) and ozone, the manufacturers do approve 303 Aerospace Protectant as a safe way to resist staining and make future cleaning easier.
To reduce the expense, you may want to treat the whole roof once a
year and do only the part of the roof that can be seen from the ground the rest
of the time.
After the roof is clean and before you climb down, be sure to
inspect all the roof seams, around vents, etc., to make sure the caulking is
still in good condition and you might as well check the condition of all vent
covers, the air conditioner cover and the TV/satellite antenna, etc.
