RV Lap Sealant Replacement and Full Roof Reseal Service
Coast to Coast RV Repair provides mobile lap sealant & reseal service on-site at your campground or driveway across Florida - certified technicians, same-week scheduling.
Coast to Coast RV Repair provides mobile lap sealant & reseal service on-site at your campground or driveway across Florida - certified technicians, same-week scheduling.
Certified technicians. $299 service call. Same-week scheduling. Call (866) 887-1199.
Why Lap Sealant Fails Faster in Florida Than Anywhere Else
Dicor lap sealant is an acrylic-latex compound with UV stabilizers and plasticizers that keep it flexible at temperatures from 0 F to 150 F. Florida roof surface temperatures in direct July sun routinely reach 155-175 F - 5-25 degrees above the sealant's rated upper limit. Above 150 F, the plasticizer molecules in the acrylic matrix begin to volatilize (boil off), which progressively stiffens the sealant. The first visible sign is surface crazing - a network of small surface cracks while the sealant core is still flexible. Within 6-12 months of crazing onset in Florida conditions, the full bead thickness becomes brittle and cracks under the flex load of travel vibration or thermal contraction during overnight cooling. Annual inspection and resealing of all roof penetrations is the standard maintenance interval recommended for Florida full-time residents - versus the 2-year interval commonly cited for northern climates. Dicor RP-LPS-1C (self-leveling, for horizontal flat surfaces) and Dicor 501LSW (non-sag, for sidewalls and vertical applications) are two different products with different plasticizer formulations; using the non-sag version on flat roof surfaces results in a sealant that does not flow into gaps and leaves voids that admit water.
Full Roof Reseal Scope - What Gets Sealed and What Gets Inspected
A complete roof reseal by Jesse Earl covers every category of penetration and joint in a specific sequence. First: all powered and unpowered roof vents (typically 2-4 per coach), sealed at the base flange where the vent body meets the EPDM membrane. Second: all A/C unit bases - the largest penetrations and highest-volume water risks. Third: all antenna bases (TV, cellular, WiFi boosters) and all cable entry grommets. Fourth: the refrigerator exhaust vent and combustion intake vent flanges. Fifth: any satellite dish mounts or solar panel mounting brackets. Sixth: the full perimeter membrane-to-sidewall joint where the EPDM membrane terminates at the coach sidewalls (a joint covered by a termination bar and sealant). On a 36-foot fifth wheel with one A/C, three vents, and standard antenna complement, a full reseal typically uses 4-5 tubes of Dicor RP-LPS-1C and 1 tube of Dicor 501LSW, takes 2.5-3.5 hours, and protects all potential water entry points simultaneously. Spot-sealing only the obvious crack and ignoring the remaining penetrations almost always results in a call-back within 6 months when an adjacent penetration fails.
Also see: Roof & Sealing Services
This page covers lap sealant & reseal specifically. For the full range of roof & sealing services we offer, visit our Roof & Sealing service overview.
Case Study: Lap Sealant & Reseal Repair
RV: 2020 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS • Location: Hillsborough River State Park, Site 5 • City:
Symptom: Owner found water dripping from the bedroom ceiling light fixture after an overnight rainstorm. The roof membrane appeared intact when viewed from the ground. No previous water stains were visible on the ceiling.
Diagnosis: Jesse accessed the roof and inspected all penetration sealant with a probe. Found the Fantastic Fan vent (Model 801200) base sealant cracked at the rear flange - a 3-inch section where the sealant had pulled away from the vent base flange leaving a 2mm gap. Also found the rear rooftop antenna cable entry grommet sealant had cracked in a ring around the cable - a Florida-classic failure where the cable flexes slightly during travel and the sealant cracks rather than flexing with it. Water entry path traced by injecting food-dye-colored water at the antenna grommet: dye appeared at the ceiling fixture location within 90 seconds, confirming the antenna cable entry as the primary source.
- 1. Cleaned all failed sealant areas with Dicor RP-RC-1C rubber roof cleaner, removed all loose and cracked sealant with a plastic scraper (not metal - metal scratches EPDM membrane), and wiped dry with clean shop rags.
- 2. Applied Dicor RP-LPS-1C self-leveling lap sealant to the Fantastic Fan 801200 vent base flange: ran a 3/8-inch bead completely around all four flange sides, then applied a second pass at the rear crack location to ensure full gap fill.
- 3. Addressed the antenna cable grommet by removing the old failed sealant completely to bare membrane, cut a 4-inch square patch of Dicor 501LSW sidewall sealant tape, centered it over the cable entry, and pressed firmly with a roller.
- 4. Applied a bead of Dicor RP-LPS-1C over the tape patch perimeter to seal the tape edges against the EPDM membrane, creating a two-layer system at the cable entry.
- 5. Inspected and probed all remaining roof penetrations (Dometic 630016.931 A/C base, two roof vents, the TV antenna base, and the refrigerator exhaust vent) - found the refrigerator exhaust vent rear bead cracked 40% of its length; resealed that vent base perimeter as well.
- 6. Conducted a hose test at all repaired locations for 5 minutes per area; no water entry observed at ceiling fixture or any other interior location.
Outcome:
Time on-site: • Total cost: • Dealer alternative:
Lap Sealant Products - Florida Application Comparison
| Product | Type | Application Surface | Temperature Range | Color | Tube Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dicor RP-LPS-1C | Self-leveling acrylic latex | Horizontal/flat roof surfaces | 0 F to 150 F rated | White | 4 oz tube | $8-$11 |
| Dicor 501LSW | Non-sag butyl | Vertical sidewalls, corners | 0 F to 150 F rated | White/Tan | 4 oz tube | $8-$11 |
| EternaBond RoofSeal tape | Butyl adhesive + polyolefin film | Any surface with primer | -40 F to 200 F | White/Gray | 4 in. x 25 ft roll | $28-$38 |
| Geocel 2300 (RV repair sealant) | Water-based acrylic polymer | Metal, EPDM, fiberglass | -20 F to 200 F | Clear/White | 10 oz tube | $12-$16 |
| Proflex RV Flexible Sealant | Silicone-hybrid | Multi-surface | -40 F to 250 F | White/Clear | 10 oz tube | $14-$18 |
Signs You Need Lap Sealant & Reseal
- ✓Inspect all roof sealant with a plastic probe annually - probe should not penetrate the sealant surface
- ✓Remove all cracked or lifted sealant completely before applying new bead - new sealant over cracked old sealant fails at the old layer interface
- ✓Use Dicor RP-LPS-1C (self-leveling) on flat roof surfaces and Dicor 501LSW (non-sag) on sidewalls - never swap them
- ✓Apply sealant when surface temperature is below 140 F - early morning is ideal in Florida summer
- ✓Trace any active roof leak to its source with a hose or dye test before sealing - sealing the wrong penetration leaves the actual entry point open
- ✓Conduct a hose test at each resealed area before declaring the job complete
Lap Sealant & Reseal - Pricing
Typical price range: $185 - $985
All calls start with a $299 service-call fee that covers the technician's trip to your location and the first hour of diagnosis. That $299 applies toward any repair you authorize - it is not an additional charge on top of the repair. Pricing shown is a national average range; your exact quote is provided in writing on-site before any work begins.
Lap Sealant & Reseal - Common Questions
Straight answers from our lap sealant & reseal service call log.
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More Roof & Sealing Services
Other specialized repairs under roof & sealing - all done at your location, no tow required.
Where We Provide Lap Sealant & Reseal in Florida
Coast to Coast RV Repair runs lap sealant & reseal jobs across these cities. Click your closest one for local-specific info, response times, and campground coverage.