Keeping your RV roof clean & happy
Jennifer Schillaci • February 29, 2024
When washing your RV, always clean the roof FIRST! Cleaning your roof makes a mess of everything else!
RV roofs are often out of sight, out of mind, so it's easy to forget about cleaning them. But if you're on this page, you've no doubt realized your RV roof needs some TLC, too. The #1 most important tip when it comes to RV roof maintenance is to keep it clean. Regularly cleaning your roof will extend its lifespan, which is good, but if your roof looks like the one in our picture it may be at the end of its lifespan. If you decide you want to take the worry out of your RV roof, replacing RV roofs is exactly what we do. We have a professionally installed maintenance-FREE RV roofing system with technicians that come to you - but you still need to wash it from time to time.
Take precautions to avoid tearing the material, which could lead to leaks and potential water damage to your rig. Knowing how to clean your RV roof properly includes being aware that the surface of your roof isn't impervious to damage. Here are a few of our tips to get the job done right.
All RV roofs can be slippery, especially when wet. When you work up there, wear soft-soled shoes and use caution. In many areas, there are mobile RV wash teams if you'd rather pay someone to do this.
If you decide to tackle this job, start by gently sweeping away any loose dirt and debris using a broom with soft or medium bristles. If you've never been up on your roof before, you should first determine whether or not you can safely climb up there. A general rule of thumb is that if your rig came with a factory ladder or built-in ladder-mounting location, it's walkable. If you don't have this, it's probably not walkable. Some RVs come with a weight capacity sticker with this information, and you can also check with your manufacturer or dealer to be sure. If you can't walk on your RV roof, we recommend using a ladder placed adjacent to your rig. To clean your roof, climb up on your ladder and remove any branches or other large objects. Then, sweep the roof with a broom to clear most of the debris. Finally, spray it down with a hose.
Use a cleaner that’s specifically designed to be safe for use on your roof’s material. Avoid abrasive cleaners or those with petroleum distillates or citrus, as they can damage the membrane. For this step, you'll need a medium-bristled brush and the right type of cleaner for your roof type. Then, it's time to soap it up, rinse it off, and let it dry. Just keep in mind that what works for one roof material may end up destroying another. Always check the roof cleaner for an indication of what RV roof material it's meant to be used on. You may need some elbow grease to remove sap, leaf stains, mold, or other stubborn stains. Make sure you have determined if its rubber, PVC, fiberglass, or aluminum. If you're not sure what type of roof you have, check out out this handy guide h ere for help identifying your roof material.
Pro tip: It's often easiest to work on smaller sections of the roof at a time.
Rinse the roof once you’ve finished cleaning. This is a good time to rinse the rig’s sides, front, and back, which will likely be a mess after cleaning the roof.
We see a lot of RVers turn to bleach to clean their RV roof (any material), particularly when it comes to scrubbing away mold spots. Most of the time, if you mix a 50/50 bleach/water solution, you won't have any trouble. However, some RVers have reported streaking when the bleach has run down the sides of the RV. In our opinion, there's no real reason to risk damaging your RV with bleach when there are so many other go-to products to turn to. If you prefer to stick with household products, we'd recommend a soapy Dawn solution over bleach.
After thoroughly cleaning the roof you can use a rubber roof UV protectant that repels dirt and protects it from damaging UV rays. A squeaky clean roof means it's time to check all the sealants ... but that's a post for another day!
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RV Roofing Solutions' Blog
The countdown is on! RV Roofing Solutions is proud to announce our first-ever appearance at the Hershey RV Supershow (it's only taken us 3 and a half years to get in!) , happening September 10–14, 2025 at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania—the biggest RV show in the United States. This isn’t just a booth—it’s a milestone. After years of building trust, quality, and community across rallies and service calls, while we have been in Tampa on the national stage for the past 15 years, this gives us an opportunity to showcase what makes our roofing systems different: maintenance-free protection, transparent service, and a commitment to RVers who care about long-term value. Why Hershey Matters With over 1,400 RVs on display and tens of thousands of attendees, the Hershey Supershow is where the RV world comes to connect, compare, and celebrate. RV Roofing Solutions wants to do it all! • Meet customers face-to-face and answer your toughest roofing questions • Offer exclusive show specials and consultations • Connect with fellow vendors, content creators, and industry leaders • Share our story—from mobile service roots to rally favorite to trusted roofing partner What We’re Bringing We’re not just showing up—we’re showing off: • Free consultations to help you plan your roof upgrade & discuss maintenance-free RV roofing systems • Swag and giveaways for RVers who stop by and say hello • A chance to meet the team behind the service—because relationships matter RV Roofing Solutions is proud to be a benefit partner of the Family RV Association (formerly FMCA) and the Tiffin Allegro Club , offering trusted roofing expertise and exclusive perks to their members. As always, we proudly offer additional discounts to veterans, first responders, and teachers. It’s our way of saying thank you to those who serve their communities with dedication and heart. Tasha & Jennifer from The Learn to RV Podcast will be at the booth regularly throughout the event. Especially since Jennifer is there with Frank & RV Roofing Solutions. Plus, we’ll be part of the RV Content Creators Connection on September 8 , where we’ll share insights and stories from the road alongside other voices shaping the RV lifestyle. RV Roofing Solutions will also be debuting a stunning new video at the RV Content Creators Connection—a visual story crafted by the incredibly talented Phil Porto of We Are the Portos . This isn’t just a promo—it’s a heartfelt glimpse into the craftsmanship, care, and community that drive everything we do. We’re honored to share this piece with fellow creators, and we hope it inspires the same passion for quality and connection that fuels our work every day. If you're attending the event, make sure to catch the premiere—it’s something special.
We hear stories like that ALL the time. This week alone, as we've crisscrossed the country, we've spotted at least ten rigs with the same issue. You know the look: the front cap lifting, the membrane bubbling like bread dough rising. But every time we try to grab a photo, it's gone. We're all moving too fast. The sightings are fleeting. Blink and you miss them. It's like chasing a mythical creature—call it the Roof Balloon Beast. Rarely caught on camera, but unmistakably real. And here's the thing: it's not just bad luck. It's physics. Why Does My RV Roof Balloon While Driving? The Science Behind the Problem When your RV cruises down the highway, air flows rapidly over the curved front cap and across the roof. According to Bernoulli's principle, as airflow speed increases, pressure above the roof decreases. Meanwhile, the front cap acts like a scoop, directing air underneath the membrane. If your roof isn't fully adhered, this creates a perfect storm: low pressure above, higher pressure below, and lift—the same force that gets airplanes off the ground. The result? Your roof membrane becomes a parachute, literally trying to take flight. This "parachute effect" is particularly common with TPO and EPDM roofs that rely on perimeter bonding or partial-glue coverage. These methods create air gaps that become vulnerable zones, catching wind and intensifying the problem. What starts as a small lift can escalate dramatically, especially at highway speeds or in windy conditions.
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