Rats in the Roof: A Costly CaravanRepair That Could Have Been Avoided

At Caravan Waterproofing WA, we see all kinds of issues hiding inside caravan roof cavities, everything from damp insulation and health…

At Caravan Waterproofing WA, we see all kinds of issues hiding inside caravan roof cavities—everything from damp insulation and health-affecting mould to ant colonies slowly eating away at the structure. But every now and then, a job surprises even us.

Recently, we were called out to investigate a strong, unpleasant smell coming from a caravan roof. The new owner had only purchased the caravan weeks earlier and noticed the odour intensifying inside the wardrobe area. After discussing the possible causes, we all agreed that the only way to get answers was to open the roof and inspect what was happening underneath.

What we found explains the smell immediately:
The remains of a recently deceased rat.

How Did a Rat Get into the Roof?

Rodents don’t need much space to squeeze into warm, dark areas—especially those filled with insulation. In this case, the rat gained access through an exposed, redundant junction box hidden beneath a solar panel. The previous owner had installed replacement solar panels and added a new junction box, but left the old one completely open.

For a rat looking for refuge, it was a perfect entry point.

Opening the Roof Revealed the Full Extent of the Damage

As soon as we removed the EPDM roof covering, the smell became even stronger. Digging deeper into the roof cavity confirmed our suspicion—the rat had burrowed deep into the insulation, and moisture had begun to affect the surrounding materials.

Because the carcass had contaminated the internal structure, the entire roof substrate had to be removed, along with all affected insulation. Only then could we rebuild the system and re-coat the roof properly.

This turned into a costly and time-consuming repair, all caused by a small opening that should never have been left exposed.

Why Roof Inspections Matter—Especially Before You Buy

This situation highlights a critical lesson for caravan owners and especially for buyers:

Always get the roof of a caravan inspected before purchasing.

Many roof issues aren’t visible from the outside, and problems like:

• open junction boxes
• old or poorly installed solar fixtures
• hidden leaks
• structural dampness
• insect or rodent infestations

…can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs if left unchecked.

Early Detection Saves Money

Had this issue been spotted earlier, the fix would have been simple:
close the redundant junction box and ensure all roof penetrations were sealed correctly.

Ignoring small openings in a caravan roof allows moisture, pests, and structural damage to develop silently over time.