RV Roof Leak After a Storm: What to Do First

Safety comes before anything else. If water is near light fixtures, outlets or the ceiling fan, switch off shore power at the pedestal and turn off the 12 volt battery disconnect before you touch anything wet. Wait for lightning and high winds to pass before you think about climbing a ladder. A wet RV roof is slippery, and many roofs are not built to carry a person's weight everywhere.

Inside, catch drips with buckets or towels. Move bedding, electronics and anything absorbent away from the leak so the damage stays in one area.

Once the weather clears, a temporary patch can buy you time. A tarp held down with straps or bungee cords run under the RV keeps more rain out. Do not fasten it with screws or nails. Self-adhesive RV roof repair tape applied to a clean, dry surface over a torn seam or punctured spot is another short term fix. Avoid household caulk and roofing tar, which can react badly with some RV roof membranes and make the permanent repair harder.

Before you dry things out or throw anything away, take photos and video. Get the roof from a safe vantage point, the source of the leak if you can see it, water stains, wet flooring, soaked cushions and any damaged belongings. Take wide shots that show where things are and close ups that show detail.

Then call your insurer or broker as soon as you reasonably can. Policies differ, and many expect prompt notice and reasonable steps to prevent further damage. Your tarp and tape count as those steps. Keep receipts for anything you buy to protect the RV, such as tarps, tape, fans or a dehumidifier. Ask whether they want an adjuster to inspect before repairs begin, and do not start permanent work until you know.

Write a short timeline too: when the storm hit, when you noticed the leak and what you did about it. Hail, wind-lifted seams and fallen branches point to sudden storm damage, which insurers often treat differently from slow leaks caused by aged sealant. An accurate record helps your claim.

Water that sits in an RV wall or ceiling does quiet damage. Many RVs use wood framing, plywood roof decking or thin wall panels that soften and rot when they stay wet, and trapped moisture can lead to mould and sidewall delamination. Run fans, open windows when it is dry outside and use a dehumidifier if you have power.

Pull up wet floor mats and take out soaked cushions so they can dry separately. Alberta's dry air helps, but moisture inside walls and under the roof deck will not dry out just because the surface feels dry. Soft spots in the floor or roof, a musty smell or stains that keep growing are signs the water has travelled further than you can see.

A temporary patch is not a repair. The roof needs to be inspected where it leaked and around it, because seams, vents, skylights and edge trim often fail together after a hard storm. A proper inspection also checks for hidden moisture in the walls and decking, which tells you whether you need a simple reseal or a structural repair.

At Horton RV Services in Calgary, we repair RV water leaks and structural damage, including rotted roof decking and soft walls. We will explain what the inspection found so you can share it with your adjuster. If you are dealing with a storm leak, book an inspection before the next round of weather rolls across the prairies.