RV roofs are usually made of rubber, fiberglass, and aluminum. They become dirty because of exposure to environmental elements, including wind, rain, snow, and sunlight.
How To Clean a Really Dirty RV Roof? You can clean a really dirty RV roof by removing the debris with a broom and using the water to wet the surface. Spray the cleaning solution and use a bristled brush for scrubbing. Scrub the brush on all sides and then rinse it with water. Apply rubber conditioner on the roof to prevent cracking and fading.
I also faced the same issue with my RV because I parked near the trees. I climbed on the roof and saw bird droppings, tree sap stains, and leaves. I deep cleaned its roof to reduce the risk of rubber oxidation, which gives a chalky appearance. Moreover, the accumulation of debris provides the best media for mold growth, decreasing rubber material longevity.
How do you clean a really dirty RV roof?
I purchased the non-corrosive roof cleaner from the market for my RV. I completed the deep cleaning procedure in 50 minutes because of tree sap stains on the rubber surface.
Remove debris with a broom
Park your RV at a level ground surface and set the ladder with it to climb on the roof. Avoid setting the ladder on wet and slippery surfaces because it can increase the risk of falling on the ground and serious injuries.
You can see dry debris, including leaves, weeds, air pollutants, and dried dirt on its surface. You can collect the larger debris with your hand and throw it on the ground.
Use the broom to remove the visible and dried debris. Avoid scrubbing the broom hard because it can damage the rubber and latex material. Moreover, harsh scrubbing can also leave scratches on their surface.
Roof rinsing
Connect the water hose with the city or your home’s water supply. Maintain the pressure of the water hose to reduce the risk of splashes and damage to rubber material.
You have to keep the water pressure minimal because water splashes can also get inside and cause water-related damage. The water inside the RVs makes the electric components faulty and increases the chances of mold growth.
Use a water hose to rinse off the debris and dirt accumulated on the roof and the sides of the sealings and vents.
Spraying of roof cleaner
You have to use non-abrasive and non-corrosive roof cleaners to decrease the risk of water damage. Avoid using home-based and all-purpose cleaners because these can cause shrinking and cracking of rubber material.
In addition, their harsh chemicals can also damage the seals and allow water to seep inside the RV. These contain abrasive chemicals that react with rubber and cause their oxidation.
You can see the chalky appearance of the roof because of oxidized rubber material. You should not use petroleum distillates-based cleaners because they are flammable and contain harsh chemicals.
Avoid using citrus-based products because these can allow the roof membrane to swell because of the loosening of adhesives.
Properly spray the cleaner and cover the corners and edges to remove the dirt and grime from these hidden places.
You should walk carefully after applying this material because of the slippery surface.
Surface scrubbing
I used the soft-bristled brush to scrub the surface, remove the dirt, grime, and stains from the RV roof, and clean them. Avoid using hard brushes because they can produce scratches on rubber material and decrease longevity.
You should not scrub the surface forcefully because it can increase the risk of damage. Scrub the edges and corners around the vents to remove the dust and pollen particles.
You can also use mineral spirit to remove stains of tree sap that are hard to remove with regular cleaners. Moreover, many people prefer to use the old rag to scrub the stained area.
Avoid applying mineral spirit throughout the roof. You should only spray it on the stained or affected area and scrub it with an old rag to remove tree sap stains.
Rinse with water
Connect the water hose and turn on the water supply to rinse the cleaning solution and mineral spirit. Move the water hose from one corner to the other and use the brush to rinse the loose dirt, stains, and debris.
Keep the water hose moving in a different direction until the roof is clean. You have to use the wiper to remove the water from its surface and allow it to dry.
Avoid sun drying because it causes shrinkage of rubber material. Park your RV in an open and well-ventilated space for 30 to 40 minutes to remove water residues from its surface.
Conditioning of rubber roof
Rubber roof conditioning after deep cleaning is necessary to restore the appearance of latex and rubber material. Chemicals that are present in these products cause the drying of rubber and increase their cracking chances.
You have to apply conditioner on it for moistening purposes. Apply the conditioner from the front to the back and avoid stepping on the conditioned surface while climbing off your RV. These conditioning materials contain chemicals that protect its surface from UV radiation and sun damage.
In addition, I also applied it in my RV to reduce the risk of oxidation reactions. Furthermore, their chemicals also protect against dirt, grime, debris, and bird droppings.
Is it OK to power wash an RV roof?
My friend said he used the power wash method to clean his dirty RV roof. He told me it is the most efficient method and requires less time. You can use this method when a lot of debris is accumulated on the surface.
Moreover, it is a suitable method for stain removal. You can spot the stains on its roof and move the pressure wash nozzle to the affected area to loosen the stains.
You need special care while performing the power wash cleaning procedure. Keep the nozzle several inches away from the rubber roof to avoid direct contact.
In addition, setting their pressure is also necessary for removing dirt and stains. Set the nozzle of the pressure wash at minimum pressure to reduce splashes on your cloth and RV interior.
Use the pressure wash near sealed areas and vents because it can increase the risk of damage. My friend told me that he set the nozzle pressure to 1200psi, and it was enough to remove the debris and loosen the stains from the rubber surfaces.
How do you get stains off an RV roof?
Stains can come on the RV roof because of bird droppings, tree sap, and environmental elements. Remove these stains during a deep cleaning procedure to give the exterior a new appearance.
My friend told me that he diluted the bleach-based cleaner and applied it to the affected area to remove the stains, which really worked. He said that he did not see any serious damage after their application.
However, you have to dilute it and avoid its direct application on the affected surface. You can also use mineral spirit and power washers to loosen the stains.
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