How often to reseal the RV roof will depend on how the vehicle is stored, weather conditions the roof is exposed to, and surfaces over which the vehicle is driven. Roof sealant allowed to deteriorate past its service life will cause interior leaks. You should regularly inspect the roof to check the condition of sealants. The RV roof will need to be washed before you can adequately inspect the surface. As a matter of practice, wash the RV roof every other time you wash the sidewalls. This will help you to frequently inspect roof sealant and to reduce black streaks running down the sidewalls.

After washing the roof, allow the surface to dry and then go up to examine the surface in detail. Form a routine inspection to reduce the risk of missing any areas. A systematic inspection starts on the passenger side rear, up along that side to the front, over to the driver's side front and back along that side to the rear.

Wearing a set of kneepads, carefully examine all roof components, such as the refrigerator vent, solar panel mountings, antennas and the satellite dish for signs of weakening around the seal. When inspecting Acryl-R, look for small cracks, particularly around corners and screw heads. The roof air conditioning shroud commonly has a one-inch foam seal. The seal is attached to the bottom of the a/c units and sits on the fiberglass roof. Four bolts are tightened from the inside. Once the bolts are torqued the foam seal should be compressed down to one-half inch thick. Vibration from driving down the road and the weight of the roof air conditioning will loosen the bolts over time. Re-torque the bolts to 40-50 in/lbs using an inch-pound torque wrench.

Determine the type of roof installed on top of the RV. Common roof materials being used are fiberglass, aluminum, rubber and Filon. For resealing purposes you will need sealant designed to stick to the particular roof top surface. Beware of sealant shelf life. Some sealants have an average shelf life of only one year.

Apply new sealant away from harsh sunlight. Avoid frosty surfaces or temperatures below 40 degrees F. Remove old sealant, and then on the clean, dry surface, place masking tape around the area you are going to reseal. Apply new sealant in a smooth application. Wipe away excess while the sealant is still uncured. Remove masking tape immediately after sealant is applied. Avoid driving the RV until the sealant has been allowed to cure. Check the sealant label for recommendations on the appropriate drying times.

If you are uncomfortable with heights, or health conditions prohibit you from being on the roof, enlist the services of an RV technician to examine the integrity of the roof sealants.