Don’t Let Hidden Damage Destroy Your RV Investment: Spotting Delamination Before It’s Too Late

For Durham County RV owners, roof delamination represents one of the most costly and devastating problems that can affect your recreational vehicle. RV delamination occurs when the outer fiberglass layer separates from the underlying plywood or luan board, often due to water infiltration, and most owners don’t recognize the signs of RV delamination until it’s too late, when the problem becomes obvious and repair is usually expensive and often impossible to fix.

Understanding RV Roof Delamination

The panels used to construct an RV’s body typically consist of layers of exterior and interior luan plywood, fiberglass coating, and styrofoam spot-welded or glued into an aluminum frame. When water finds its way between these layers, it can dissolve the wood glue or other adhesives used to laminate the substrates together. The delamination process causes unsightly bubbles or wrinkles in the outer wall of your RV. These bubbles and defects in the outer layers allow more water to enter the walls and cause more damage. Eventually, if it gets bad enough, it can cause your roof, flooring, or walls to fail.

In Durham County’s climate, this problem becomes particularly concerning. The key is understanding what your specific roof needs and staying ahead of problems rather than reacting to them. In Durham County’s climate, this means paying extra attention during spring and fall when temperature swings are most dramatic. They underwent rapid and extreme temperature changes, which can weaken the adhesives used for the laminates.

Early Detection: Critical Warning Signs

Early detection is absolutely crucial for Durham County RV owners. Recognizing the signs of delamination early, such as soft spots, bubbling, or visible gaps, is crucial for addressing the issue promptly and preventing further damage. Here are the key warning signs to watch for:

• Visual Inspection: Signs of delamination include bubbling, cracking, and warping of the RV’s exterior
• Touch Test: The separate outer layer creates a hollow bulge or wave on the surface of the wall, ceiling or floor. Pressing on it feels like pushing on a giant bubble
• Sound Test: Tap the RV walls and roof with a coin or your knuckles. A hollow sound indicates separation
• Water Damage Signs: You should also look around any windows or doors for signs water has seeped in and is beginning the delamination process

Delamination can happen on the sidewalls, roof, and floor – essentially, any panel alongside a seam. A sign of this can be bubbles near the roof’s windows, doors and edges. However, it can also start at the center if there are stress cracks large enough to let water through.

Climate-Specific Risks for Durham County

Durham County’s unique climate presents specific challenges for RV owners. Durham experiences a unique blend of weather patterns, from hot and humid summers to cold, wet winters. Most rubber roofs last 10-15 years with proper maintenance, but that lifespan depends heavily on climate exposure and how well they’re maintained. In North Carolina’s climate, UV exposure and seasonal temperature swings can accelerate aging if the roof isn’t properly treated and inspected regularly.

The combination of high humidity, temperature fluctuations, and seasonal storms makes regular inspection even more critical. Every six months, you should inspect all sealants— especially if you live in your RV full-time. Check the roof and all four sides of the RV, including moldings, doors, vents, and exterior attachments. If you reside in a particularly damp environment like the Pacific Northwest, do it more frequently.

Professional Repair Solutions

When delamination is detected, professional intervention becomes essential. If you are inexperienced or do not know how to fix delamination on your RV, consulting an expert is a good idea. In addition, you will want to seek professional repairs if water damage has already occurred or the area is large. A professional will also know how to locate the cause of the damage, so it does not occur again or worsen once the repair is complete. The advantage of hiring a professional is that they are more likely to repair the damage successfully.

For Durham County residents seeking expert RV Roof Repair Durham County NC, Stream RV offers comprehensive delamination repair services. Stream RV is your trusted East Durham, NC RV repair shop. As Durham County’s most trusted RV repair professionals, we’ll perform a thorough evaluation of the vehicle to accurately diagnose the problem, and we’ll use the highest quality tools and materials, combined with proven techniques and strategies, to get your vehicle back up and running.

Stream RV offers personalized service and repair for all types of RVs, campers, motorhomes, food trucks, travel trailers, 5th wheels, and horse trailers. Don’t get lost in the shuffle dealing with large high-volume dealers – we are locally owned and operated and strive to address the individual needs of each customer.

Cost Considerations and Prevention

The financial impact of delamination can be significant. Unfortunately, fixing RV delamination can be expensive to repair. The RV delamination repair cost could sometimes include replacing an entire wall, roof, or floor. At a minimum, this will take a couple of thousand dollars out of your pocket. The cost of delamination repair depends on the size of the area and how deep the damage goes. Small bubbles or patches: May start around $500–$1,500 · Mid-size wall sections: Range from $2,000–$5,000.

Prevention remains the most cost-effective approach. Prevent water from leaking into the walls in the first place. This means inspecting the seams and resealing every seam every two to five years. Then, you should remove the old sealant, clean the seam, and apply the new sealant.

Stream RV’s Expertise and Service Area

Stream RV serves the entire Durham County area with specialized expertise in RV roof repairs and delamination issues. Located in Creedmoor, NC, we are only 25 minutes from the “Triangle” formed by Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Catch a flight to Raleigh-Durham International airport (RDU) and you can be at our place in under 30 minutes. Roof Repair – Does your roof leak or have damage? We can replace your rubber, EPDM, TPO, or PVC roof membrane and underlayment. We can also make repairs to fiberglass roofs.

The company’s commitment to quality service is evident in their customer testimonials. It is clear to me that, in addition to selling used RVs, Stream RV and its principals are committed to maintaining customer satisfaction even after the sales are consummated. I would be happy to deal with them in the future should the need arise, and recommend them highly to others.

Taking Action: Your Next Steps

For Durham County RV owners, the message is clear: early detection and professional intervention are your best defenses against costly delamination damage. Inspect your RV regularly for signs of damage or wear and tear. The sooner you catch a problem, the easier and less expensive it will be to repair.

Don’t wait until minor bubbling becomes a major structural issue. Fixing delamination on RV units is not just to improve an aesthetic flaw but to prevent severe structural damage. In extreme cases, the loosened layers could shake loose when the RV is on the road.

Contact Stream RV today at 919-891-9577 for a professional evaluation of your RV’s roof condition. Their experienced technicians understand Durham County’s unique climate challenges and can provide the expert care your investment deserves.