How to clean your roof camper vent

Keeping your camper vent clean

As a fellow adventurer, both on road and offroad, your RV, camper van or caravan should always be ready to go at a moment’s notice.

There might seem like there’s a lot to do–from charging electrical systems to inflating tyres–but if you keep on top of your vehicle with just a few minimal maintenance chores at a regular frequency, you’ll always be more safe than sorry.

One important part of maintaining your caravan or RV is ensuring the camper vent is clean and clear. It can be easy to forget this little part, but ensuring that the air flow into your vehicle is as high quality and pure as possible will do wonders for your health and experience.

How to clean a camper roof vent

Step 1 – Assemble your toolkit

It’s always easiest to get started by making sure you have everything you need. Here’s a shortlist of the tools and equipment you may need, so you can be prepared before you begin:

• Screwdrivers
• Caulk
• Cleaning cloths
• Sealing tape

Step 2 – Remove the camper vent screens

Before you start climbing up onto the top of your camper to get at the vents, go inside your vehicle and remove the vent screens. Soak these in a sink full of warm and soapy water. If there’s dust, dirt, grease or other debris on the vents you’ll want to get the screens as clean as possible before you start digging into your camper vent maintenance.

Step 3 – Wipe the vent pipes

The first thing to do when approaching the camper vents themselves is to remove the caps and covers carefully. Undo the screws completely so that you can take the cover off and check if there is any debris, dirt, leaves or other material inside. Then you should clean the vent pipes themselves by wiping the internal surfaces.

Step 4 – Check for cracked caulking

Once the pipes are cleaned, it’s time to check the camper vents for cracked caulking or missing caulk along the openings. If it’s not sealed, water can make its way into your vehicle. Reapply caulk as you need it and ensure that everything is literally watertight. Sealing tape can also be used to provide additional waterproof sealing if required.

Step 5 – Replace the caps

After you’ve completed your caulking or re-caulking, replace the caps and covers and screw them firmly back in so that it’s all safely in place.

Step 6 – Check the seams

It’s important that you check every seam of the camper vent in case there are separated sections of caulk, gaps or cracks you may have missed. If there are any cracks or if the fasteners themselves aren’t tight, you can seal them using the caulk. Go slowly and deliberately. It might take extra time now, but it will be well worth it the next time you’re out camping in the rain!

Step 7 – Check inside

As soon as you’re done with the roof, you can inspect the interior of your camper van. Inspect the walls, roof and floor for signs of leaks in the form of damp spots. If you notice any funny smells, there might be some leaking that’s out of sight. Preventing further problems now through early detection is the easiest and cheapest option.

Step 8 – Replace your camper vent screens

Now that your vent screens have soaked, give them a thorough clean and completely dry them before replacing them. Run a quick check over your air conditioning to check the fan motors are running properly and that everything is working as it should. And, just like that, you’re done!

Discover more DIY maintenance tips

The Trailer Parts Direct team knows a thing or two about DIY camper van and RV maintenance, and we love sharing that knowledge with our customers!

If you want to know more about how to keep on top of your four-wheel-drive, trailer, van, campervan or RV, make sure to check out our blog.

As always, if you have specific questions related to camper vent cleaning and maintenance, or anything else for that matter, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly staff.