How to Fix Dry Rot in a Fifth-Wheel Roof

While the name indicates otherwise, dry rot actually results from water-carrying fungi eating away at wood. This results in the wood taking on a dry and brittle appearance that sometimes mimics the symptoms of termite infestation. Tackle dry rot problems in your fifth-wheel RV trailer immediately to prevent the symptoms from advancing. Allowing this problem to continue eventually ruins the structural integrity of the fifth-wheel's roof and may require a total replacement.

Things You'll Need

  • Utility Knife
  • Dry rot anti-fungal solution
  • Wood filler compound
  • Putty knife
  • Silicon caulk
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Instructions

    • 1

      Climb on top of the fifth-wheel RV trailer and cut the rubber roofing with a utility knife. Pull back the roofing to expose the dry rotted wood.

    • 2

      Remove rotted pieces of wood with your hand and utility knife. Do not leave damaged wood inside the roof since the fungi can still advance and destroy other sections of wood.

    • 3

      Apply dry rot anti-fungal solution to the affected area to kill remaining dry rot fungi that still remains in the roof. This is a precautionary step in case you fail to remove all the damaged wood.

    • 4

      Apply wood filler compound to sections of wood with missing pieces. Lather on layers of the compound with a putty knife. Continue to add until to fill all gaps. Allow the compound to dry according to the directions on the back of the container.

    • 5

      Close the rubber roofing and seal with silicon caulking. This creates a waterproof seal that prevents any more harmful moisture from entering the roof.

    • 6

      Inspect the surface of the roof for tears or openings that allowed water to contact the wood structure of the roof and cause the dry rot problem. Seal these holes with silicone caulking.