Covers-advice please

[Gagakev]

As I posted earlier I have discovered damp in my van, and need to cover it sharpish.

Should I just cover it with a light weight tarpaulin or would it be better to obtain a breathable cover, of which I can then use on a more permanent basis even when the damp has been cured?

many thanks

Kev

 

[PaulShellHull]

Hi Gagakev

I have heard some pros and cons as regards covers

personally i wouldnt use a full cover.

my van is parked under some trees when not in use so what i do is run a tarp over the top to stop bird muck and tree sap bamaging it

I have heard that some of these covers can trap damp in the van and will not let the air inside circulate

Someone once said if it was suppose to have a cover they would supply one and they also said that why there are vents all over to allow the air to circulate. Personally its a no from me but you will have to make your own decission on that

Covers are

 

[forestgump]

my self i would find the leak seal it for winter then sort it in summer cover could make things worse it could keep damp in and air flow out.

 

[Gagakev]

Hi Gagakev

I have heard some pros and cons as regards covers

personally i wouldnt use a full cover.

my van is parked under some trees when not in use so what i do is run a tarp over the top to stop bird muck and tree sap bamaging it

I have heard that some of these covers can trap damp in the van and will not let the air inside circulate

Someone once said if it was suppose to have a cover they would supply one and they also said that why there are vents all over to allow the air to circulate. Personally its a no from me but you will have to make your own decission on that

Covers are

 

[Parksy]

A breathable caravan cover will prevent grime, leaves and things like bird droppings Kev but moisture will still get through one of these covers because they are permeable.

I think the Wilkinsons tarp is the better idea and a damp repair / reseal as soon as is practicable.

 

[Gagakev]

Will purchase Tarp tomorrow and go down that road.

Hope the weather changes soon so the repairs can start, promised grandchild for easter and it's booked. also service booked for mid April.

Thanks Guys

 

[Parksy]

I don't know if you are going to do a diy repair Kev but if you are there are some good tips with pictures Here

 

[Robtel]

The closest I got to buying a cover was sending away for some samples of the materials the specialist caravan awnings are made from. Caravan covers are made of a soft breathable material which, if put on as per instructions, e.g, clean van, protection over the windows, will not damage the caravan paint work. My concern over using a tarp would be that the material could damage / mark the paint work. Care required in how it was placed and secured I think.

Robert

 

[Gagakev]

Parksy, yes I am going to do it myself and as my damp reading was at 20% last service, I certainly hope its not as bad as those pictures, but hey, prepare for the worst!!

The forum guys here has been really helpful and hopefully even the wall boarding is stocked by one of the contributors on here.

many thanks

 

[jeff_374543278]

20% is high but it depends how far the reading goes is it in one place or spread over the affected area .18% is classed as normal well this is what i been told as my skylight reads 18% .if i was you find out off your caravan manufacturer as some caravans have a damp Torrance and this could be normal its always better to check .

 

[BedfordGeorge]

Just a thought for our resident experts to give an opinion on. Would it be a good idea to purchase some of the round pipe insulation, lay it in strips along the length of the caravan, then place the protective cover over them. This would allow air to circulate, preventing condensation build up.

The only problem I can think of is that the insulation may leave its mark on the roof of the van. What do you think ?

Best regards,

George

 

[jeff_374543278]

Just a thought for our resident experts to give an opinion on. Would it be a good idea to purchase some of the round pipe insulation, lay it in strips along the length of the caravan, then place the protective cover over them. This would allow air to circulate, preventing condensation build up.

The only problem I can think of is that the insulation may leave its mark on the roof of the van. What do you think ?

Best regards,

George

i cut up old sheets off a very soft blanket to cover the windows of the caravan as these covers can cause rub marks and small scuffs on the windows of the caravan when you get high winds where the cover blows over the same place all the time it can put very small marks on the windows ,i would go for a breathable one as a first choice and when its on don't pull the blinds down in the van as the sun can let warm air in when the sun hits the cover on the outside it may a good idea to use the small dehumidifiers you can get from you diy shops these only cost about a

 

[jeff_374543278]

i cut up old sheets off a very soft blanket to cover the windows of the caravan as these covers can cause rub marks and small scuffs on the windows of the caravan when you get high winds where the cover blows over the same place all the time it can put very small marks on the windows ,i would go for a breathable one as a first choice and when its on don't pull the blinds down in the van as the sun can let warm air in when the sun hits the cover on the outside it may a good idea to use the small dehumidifiers you can get from you diy shops these only cost about a

 

[Gagakev]

Just to give you an update, I havent been able to cover the van yet as we have had continuous rain, but the forecast for us tomorrow afternoon is SUNSHINE!! (I'm Going to run away from work and I dont care who misses me, van first) Want the roof to be dry before I embark on the challenge, and as jeff has said, I anticipated the sheet thing so I have raided the airing cupboard and plan to put them on the roof first, then cover them with a thin polythene dust sheet and finally the light weight tarpaulin.

jeff,

I was advised to put the chrystals in the van since last April and yes they do work. As I spotted mould in a fairly large area

and the board is soft to the touch I think its fairly safe to say I do have a problem.Many thanks for your input.

Kev

 

[PaulShellHull]

hi Gagakev

I use the crystals aswell havent had a problem all year

work really well for me

still got the cheap tarp over the roof but all the vent are clear to let the air circulate

give them a try i would nothing ventured nothing gained

 

[jeff_374543278]

when you cover a van wet it will dry out if it breathable cover that is .what i do is wash the van down prior to putting the cover on it will dry out and it should stay clean all the time the cover is on .

 

[Gagakev]

Hi Paul,

Perhaps I didnt explain it very well, I have used the crystals for nearly a year.

And still have a problem, I'm not knocking the crystals, they will be in my van for as long as I own one.

I also agree with you about the tarp as you say the vents are there to do a job .

Many thanks

Kev

 

[forestgump]

be carefull some times these pots can draw damp from out side through the vents.

 

[forestgump]

do you know where the leak is if so when you get a dry day seal it until you can sort it fully rather than a cover .I would rather cover with a sticky tape thats safe to use so the van can start to dry.

 

[Gagakev]

Hi Dean,

Putting the tarp on to start the work this weekend hopefully, weather permitting outside, and as all the rails will be removed eventually, and resealed it will help to keep it dry, but plenty to do inside.

Once its all done the tarp will be removed. Only going to use it as a temporary measure.