Roof Maintenance

[Chip]

What is the good, the bad, and the ugly of roof maintenance?

Specifically

1. How often to you clean it, how do you do it and when is the best time.
2. How often to you check caulking and how often do you need to add some.
3. Any Black Streak prevention ideas.

This is a BIG camper!

Thanks
Chip

[bsmeaton]

Chip,

You want to check your caulking often - especially the front and rear caulking at the transition strip to the fiberglass caps.

A clean roof usually means less black streaks, however don't get too carried away cleaning it and be real careful about the product. No petroleum based. Also be careful not to use anything with a residue, or it will be brown the next day. Camping World makes some great products. You should have a cutsheet in your manual about the roof.

Realistically, the roof is designed to handle the exposure and the less mitigation the better. Cleaning makes it pretty, but if you don't get to it often, it will survive.

[DHenry]

For the black streaks, while parked at home I have added a 12" piece of 1" PVC with a coupling to the gutter ends to extend them out so no drips hit the siding. This works great for me. I take them off before traveling and if I am going to be somewhere for awhile and think I will be getting moisture on the roof I will put them back on after setting up.

[dsprik]

Doug, can we see a pict of that?

[Glenn and Lorraine]

If you feel you must wash the roof the best cleaner is Dawn dish washing liquid. This info comes directly from Dicor the folks that manufacture the roof and also provide the 10 year warranty. From Dicor, actually washing the roof is not necessary other than for that clean look and to cut down on streaking. As you wash the roof inspect all caulking.
If not using Dawn DO NOT use any petroleum or citrus based products as they will assist deterioration. Purchasing the so called "special roof cleaning products" is just a huge waste of money.

[DHenry]

Sure you can.

[bsmeaton]

Now that's a clean roof Doug!

[dsprik]

Thanks, Doug. Can't see how you attached that to the gutter though...

[DHenry]

Dave, the coupling just slides over the gutter, fits like a glove.

[dsprik]

Thanks, Doug!

[Illini Trekker]

I like to use car wash soap, with this kind of soap it will preserve the trailers wax job. Then I would use 303 Aerospace Protectant to seal the rubber, this may help with the Black Streaks and UV rays. Lots of different ideas will come along but be sure to read the manufactures web site for the do's and don'ts.

[Montana Sky]

I use the Thetfords Rubber Roof cleaner and conditioner, the stuff works great and keeps the roof looking good. As far as washing goes, I try to get up there at least once every two months or so. The more often you clean it, the whiter it will stay. Personal choice....

[padredw]

I follow the practice exactly as Montana Sky describes above (not quite as often as he, probably one every six months or so). We have never had black streaks. We are fortunate to be able to keep our RV in a covered shed while at home. We check caulking, but have never needed to add any. Our Montana was five years old in May.

[sreigle]

Glenn mentioned do not use anything with citrus in it. At the last Goshen rally a Dicor rep said do not use anything with citrus because birds and squirrels seem to like it. They peck at it thinking there's food under there.

I don't clean mine as often as I should but, when I do, I use plain Dawn liquid. I was told use only the non-scented variety.

We do get occasional black streaks, usually from the scare light area, but they easily wipe off the high gloss finish on our Montana. Otherwise, make sure you have the gutters that extend beyond the sides of the rig. The new Montanas have these as standard equipment. Camping World sells some that clip right onto the older gutters. We put them on our prior Montana. They work reasonably well but are not perfect. Not even the new standard ones are perfect.