Welcome to installment number two of our “Ask an RV Tech” blog series. Today, the question is, “Is it safe to leave the snow piled up on the roof of my RV?”. Hank Dudley, our resident expert, says, “Absolutely not”. Leaving snow on the roof of your RV could cause severe roof damage. Any amount of snow beyond a couple of inches is reason for concern. Snow weighs approximately 12 lbs per square inch. With fluctuations in temperature, you may even have ice build up beneath the snow. The melting (which causes water to run into cracks, etc.) and then re-freezing (causing expansion) can wreak havoc on your RV. You could end up with leaks through your vents and seals and if it were to sit all winter, the spring time could bring you a very unpleasant surprise. The safest bet is to keep it covered, but we understand that isn’t always an option. If your RV must be exposed to the elements, it is advisable to keep the snow off as best you can by using a soft snow rake with an extendable handle. Using this will allow you to remove snow from your roof without having to get up on top, which is not safe when it’s snowy or icy, and the soft pad will be gentle to use around vents, etc. , though you will still need to be very careful not to damage them. We found this one, originally created for safe, damage-free removal of snow from solar panels, but now widely used for vehicles and more. Or there are less expensive options like this one available. Whichever you choose, the most important thing is that you do it safely and effectively. This is one area where you don’t just want to park it and forget about it until Spring. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
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