RV Lap Sealant & Caulking - Fort Lauderdale FL
Professional RV roof lap sealant application throughout Broward County. Annual maintenance service - the most cost-effective way to prevent major roof damage in Florida.
RV Lap Sealant Application in Fort Lauderdale
Annual or biannual lap sealant maintenance is the single most cost-effective preventive maintenance investment any Fort Lauderdale or Broward County RV owner can make. A $250 to $450 professional sealant application every 2 to 3 years prevents the $3,000 to $15,000 repairs that result from water intrusion through failed roof sealants. In Florida's climate, failed lap sealant is not a question of "if" - it is a question of "when." Our job is to make sure that failure is detected and addressed before water gets inside.
Our certified technicians perform complete lap sealant services throughout Broward County - at T.Y. Park in Hollywood, your driveway in Pompano Beach, your storage facility in Plantation, or anywhere else in the county. We work on EPDM and TPO roofs with the correct Dicor products for each surface type, and we never apply new sealant over old without removing the failed material first.
What Our Lap Sealant Service Includes
- Full roof inspection and documentation of all penetration points
- Old sealant removal from all areas being resealed
- Surface cleaning and conditioning with appropriate primer
- Dicor 501LSW self-leveling sealant application to all horizontal penetrations
- Dicor 501LSB non-sag sealant application to vertical penetrations and wall seams
- Coverage of all AC unit base perimeters, vent flanges, skylight frames, antenna mounts, and cable entry points
- Post-application inspection for complete coverage and correct tooling
- Written documentation of areas serviced and any concerns noted for future attention
Pricing
| Service | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Roof Inspection Only | $89 - $149 |
| Spot Treatment (1-3 penetrations) | $95 - $195 |
| Full Lap Sealant Service (all penetrations) | $250 - $450 |
| Large Motorhome (Class A, 40+ ft) | $375 - $595 |
| Prices shown are estimates. Final pricing provided after on-site diagnosis. Parts cost separate. | |
FAQ
Every 2 to 3 years for Florida RVs - significantly more often than the 4 to 5 year cycle typical in northern states. Florida's UV radiation degrades Dicor and similar polyurethane lap sealants faster than in milder climates. Annual inspection is recommended to catch any early cracking or separation before it becomes an active leak.
Dicor 501LSW self-leveling lap sealant is the most widely used and recommended product for EPDM and TPO roofs in Florida. It remains flexible after curing to accommodate thermal expansion from temperature swings, resists UV degradation better than many alternatives, and adheres well to clean EPDM and TPO surfaces. For vertical applications (where self-leveling would run), Dicor 501LSB or Geocel 2300 is used.
Technically you can, but it is not best practice and reduces the life of the new application. Old sealant that has lost adhesion or has cracks creates a poor bond surface for new sealant. Our technicians remove old sealant completely and clean the surface to bare before applying new material - this takes more time but produces a longer-lasting result.
Every roof penetration needs sealant around its base: both rooftop AC units (gasket perimeter), all roof vents and vent covers, any skylights, the antenna mount, any solar panel mounting feet, cable entry points, and the perimeter seam where the roof membrane meets the sidewalls of the RV. That typically means 15 to 25 individual areas on a typical travel trailer or motorhome.
A thorough lap sealant application covering all penetrations on a standard 30 to 35-foot RV typically takes 3 to 4 hours including surface preparation. We do not rush this process - proper prep is 70% of the job. If we are replacing old sealant (versus just topping up new sealant on a new RV), add 1 to 2 hours for old sealant removal.
Dicor lap sealant should be applied in dry conditions with the roof surface temperature above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. In Florida, we primarily avoid working in rain or immediately after rain when the surface may be damp. Surface temperature and cleanliness are the two most critical factors for long-term adhesion. We always wipe the application surface with a clean lint-free cloth and Dicor's recommended surface conditioner before applying sealant.
Lap sealant is a specialized RV roofing product that behaves differently from general-purpose caulk. It is formulated to be compatible with EPDM and TPO roof membranes (standard caulk can chemically attack EPDM), remains flexible over a wide temperature range, and self-levels on horizontal surfaces. Using standard caulk or silicone on an RV roof is a mistake that can actually degrade the membrane and cause the sealant to fail quickly.
New RVs from the factory often have minimal or inconsistently applied lap sealant - it is a step that varies in quality across manufacturers. We frequently see new RVs (2 to 3 years old) with the first signs of sealant cracking because the factory application was thin or applied to a marginally clean surface. We recommend having any new RV inspected and touched up within the first year in Florida's climate.
Yes, and we encourage annual self-inspection. Look for: white or light-colored sealant that has turned dark gray or brown (UV degradation), sealant that is cracking along its edges or pulling away from the surface it bonds to, gaps or holes in the sealant around any roof penetration, and areas where sealant is missing entirely. If you see any of these, schedule a service call before the next major rain event.
Proper lap sealant application around all penetrations addresses the most common leak points on RV roofs. However, membrane damage (tears, punctures, bubbling) and substrate water damage from prior leaks are not addressed by sealant alone. A thorough roof inspection before sealant application - which is part of our standard process - identifies these issues and allows us to recommend the appropriate additional repairs.
Serving Fort Lauderdale and All of Broward County
When your RV needs roof repair or roof leak service in Fort Lauderdale or anywhere in Broward County, our certified mobile team comes directly to your location - no tow truck required, no dealership wait. We dispatch to all Broward cities including Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, Davie, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Sunrise, Miramar, Hallandale Beach, Plantation, Lauderhill, and Weston. Most calls receive a same-day or next-morning appointment.
South Florida's climate creates specific challenges for RV systems. Year-round temperatures averaging 77°F, with summer highs in the 90s and humidity regularly topping 80%, put RV components under constant thermal stress. Systems that function fine in cooler climates often show accelerated wear here. Our technicians are trained specifically on Florida climate impacts - from salt air corrosion affecting coastal Broward rigs to the effect of standing water after summer rainstorms on rubber seals and underbelly components.
We regularly service RVs at Broward County's most popular campgrounds: T.Y. Park (Topeekeegee Yugnee Park) in Hollywood, Easterlin Park in Oakland Park, CB Smith Park in Pembroke Pines, Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach, and Tradewind Park in Coconut Creek. Give us your campsite number when you call and we'll come directly to your rig - no need to unhook or move your trailer.
Our team carries common replacement parts for all major RV brands including Winnebago, Forest River, Thor, Jayco, Keystone, Grand Design, Coachmen, Airstream, Tiffin, and Newmar. For less common components, we source parts same-day from Broward's RV supply distributors, keeping most repairs to a single visit. We provide written estimates before any work begins - no surprises on your final bill.
Ready to Get Your RV Back on the Road?
Our certified mobile technicians serve all of Broward County - 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays.