How often should an RV roof be inspected?
Twice a year: once in spring after the melt, and once in fall before the snow. The fall visit matters more, because a crack touched up in October doesn’t spend five months under ice. Add an extra look after a branch strike, a hailstorm, or the first heavy rain at a new seasonal site. A parked trailer needs the same checks as one that travels. It works every day of February, moving or not.
When to book an inspection
An inspection is usually the right first step:
- You suspect a leak but can’t find the source
- Spring opening after winter storage
- Before buying a used RV
- After a storm or a branch strike
- Before deciding between resealing, coating, or repair
- You want a documented baseline for insurance or resale
What does an RV roof inspection check?
An inspection checks the six places RV roofs most often let water in, from the sealant at every penetration to the stains inside. You get photos and written notes, not a verbal shrug.
| Check point | What we look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Sealant at penetrations | Cracked, lifted, or layered lap sealant | The most common entry point on any RV roof |
| Seams and edges | Separation, gaps, and failed tape | Long transitions that flex and open with age |
| Vents and skylights | Cracked domes and failed gaskets | Penetrations sit low where water collects |
| Air conditioner | Gasket compression and surround seal | A slow gasket leak mimics a roof leak inside |
| Slide-out roof | Wiper seals, corners, and pooled water | Out of sight and easy to neglect |
| Interior signs | Stains, soft spots, and musty odour | Confirms whether water reached the structure |
Which roof material do I have?
We identify the membrane, the roof’s outer skin, on every inspection, because it decides which cleaners, primers, sealants, and coatings will bond. The quick tells: EPDM rubber has a dark backing, feels like a slightly stretchy inner tube, and chalks white as it ages. TPO is white all the way through, shinier, and often shows a faint orange-peel texture. Fiberglass (fibreglass) is a hard, painted gelcoat that oxidizes and crazes. Aluminum is obvious once you see seams and fasteners, and it leaks at those rather than across the surface. Not sure? Don’t guess. The wrong product on the wrong roof is a common cause of failure.
Buying a used trailer? Check the roof first
On a private-sale trailer or fifth wheel, the roof is the costliest thing to get wrong. It’s also the part sellers rarely have photos of. A pre-purchase roof inspection covers sealant, seams, every penetration, the slide-out roof, and any sign water reached the structure. You get dated photos and notes to negotiate, walk away, or budget for a reseal.
If we find damage
You get a plain explanation of what we found, what’s urgent and what can wait, and an estimate for the repairs that make sense. No pressure and no scare tactics.
How much does an RV roof inspection cost in Ontario?
There’s no flat rate, and a price given before anyone sees the roof is a guess. Final pricing depends on roof size, roof condition, prep requirements, travel, access, visible damage, and hidden damage found during inspection. So we start from photos or an inspection.
| Factor | Why it moves the price |
|---|---|
| Roof size | More surface is more material and more labour |
| Roof condition | Chalking, failed sealant, and prior repairs add prep |
| Prep required | Prep is most of the job; removal and cleaning vary widely |
| Travel and access | Distance, site access, and setup affect the visit |
| Visible damage | Repairs found up front are scoped into the estimate |
| Hidden damage | What the inspection uncovers below the surface |
You see the full estimate before any work begins. Nothing gets done that you haven’t approved, and the number doesn’t change without your say-so.