How to Clean a Rubber Roof

Last Updated: September 15, 2021 References

The most common place you will find rubber roofing is on the top of an RV. The most common material used for these roofs is Ethylene Propylene Diene M-Class rubber (epdm) which creates some cleaning challenges. Keeping your rubber roof clean and doing it properly is the most cost effective way of preserving it and maintaining your warranty.

Steps

1
Clean your roof 3-4 times per year. How often should this be done? According to DICOR (A leading manufacturer of EPDM roofing material) all that is necessary to maintain your warranty is a required periodic cleaning at least 3 to 4 times per year.^{[1]
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2
Get a good inspection. Whether a person goes up on an EPDM roof once a year, or four times a year, a rubber roof will require a good inspection on a regular basis. Keeping it clean will allow you to do a more thorough inspection. If you cannot see the surface of your rubber roof due to dirt and grime, it is time to clean it.^{[2]
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3
Use any commercial grade cleanser such as Protect All Rubber Roof Cleaner.^{[3]
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4
If your RV roof is VERY dirty (black), you may want to cover the sides of your vehicle with plastic sheets. This will save you a lot of clean up later.
5
Sweep, or rinse off, as much of the loose grime as possible.^{[4]
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6
Apply your rubber roof cleaner using a spraying mechanism. You should work on one 2 to 3 sq ft area at a time.
7
Use a sponge mop, or soft bristle brush if it is very dirty, to activate the cleaner using a circular motion.^{[5]
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8
Absorb the dissolved grimy residue with the sponge mop. Rinse this dirty mop in a bucket of clean water.^{[6]
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9
Repeat previous steps until entire roof is clean.
10
Use a hose with a spray nozzle and remove any remaining amounts of old grimy residue.
11
Inspect the clean roof for cracks along the edges of the EPDM barrier where the self leveling sealant is starting to lift up or become degraded in any way. This can occur anywhere there is a penetration like the air conditioner, various vents, etc. Even small pin-holes can be a problem that will allow water penetration.
12
If the sealant is starting to lift off, gently remove as much as you can, clean the area and re-apply self leveling sealant.
13
Take a fresh (new) tube of self leveling sealant, insert this tube of sealant into a caulking gun with the pointed nozzle end placed into the designed slot opposite from the ratcheting mechanism. Cut off the tip making an opening of approximately ¹⁄₄ inch (0.6 cm).
14
Apply this sealant along the cracked or potential pin holed area that you have just cleaned from any dirt and grime. Allow time for it to seek its own level.
- This is not as complex as it sounds, cleaning and inspecting the roof on a regular bases will allow you to become familiar with the normal condition of your roof. So, the odd things will start to jump out at you.
- The black mold spots that grow over time on this roof are not a major concern. Just clean them off with the above mentioned rubber roof cleaner, and if you want, put a coating of UV (ultra-violet) protectant on. The stuff looks like white paint, and give it a nice finish… just make sure that ANY coating applied directly to the EPDM does not contain any petroleum distillates. This stuff really messes with EPDM. EPDM will blister and this will allow water to seep in to the newly exposed wood sub frame.
15
Go to any RV supply store and tell them you want to clean your EPDM roof. They will make sure you have the correct cleaning material. Just make sure that it does not have ANY petroleum distillates in it.

Community Q&A

Question

How should I clean mildew off an EPDM roof?

Community Answer

A power hose is your best option.

Warnings

Be very methodical when you are on top of your rubber roof. Anytime anyone is on top of an RV, safety has to be a priority. Focusing on some task and stepping off the thing is not the way anyone wants to end the day!

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