hello - am a brand spanking new caravanner...and terrified!!! The wife just went mad on Ebay and bought an old ABI (Monza - 5 berth) We collected it last weekend. The people we bought it from assured us it had no damp but also said they weren't keen caravanners and the 'no damp' guarantee basically amounted to the fact that they'd experienced no damp/water leakage in all the time they'd used it....So we picked it up and it was FILTHY!!! We've cleaned it, repaired a couple of bits and pieces (a couple of missing screws, new vents here and there etc etc) but there obviously has been damp in the past. There are stains on the walls at the top in the corners and the front wall (behind the seat cushions) is a bit bubbly. Nothing's spongy - there's a bit on the back wall, where it joins the side wall that feels a bit hollow - it's about an inch long. the floor isn't spongy - it's definately not spongy but there's a patch in front of the sink that feels uneven. We've spent the day scraping out old mastic (along the edge of the roof, where it joins the walls) and have re-sealed that. we're going to take the carpet up and fit a new one at the end of the month. What I want to know is 1) do we NEED to repair the bits that has previously been affected by damp (assuming it's not going to get any worse) 2)could the uneven-ness in the floor be something innocent (like age or a really heavy person doing all the cooking) 3) does it sound like she's bought a complete lemon? I know (from her Dad - a caravan enthusiast, who we should have sought advice from before we spent our money, I know I know!!) that we should get a service but money's tight and I wanted to try to fix things myself if possible. Mainly I want reassurance that it's not a total pup!! Please be kind, don't laugh too hard and remember....it's all HER fault!!!
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damp but hopefully old damp......
- Thread starter jonathanKelly
- Start date
Parksy
Moderator
Hello Jonathan
Welcome to the forum, and also to caravanning. Thats one more of us and one less of them.
Nobody is going to laugh at you because we all have to start somewhere, I've bought caravans in the past that were damp and had delaminated floors.
I hope that you didn't spend a fortune on your caravan but is there any way that you can seek some redress from the sellers?
If they said that the caravan wasn't damp then it sounds as though they've been telling you porkies.
When you lift the carpet I think that you will find that the floor has become delaminated. To repair that is not too difficult but I dont know about the walls.
If you can find out what's causing the damp walls and reseal it the caravan might last a bit longer.
If you post your questions under Technical I'm sure that many forum members will point you in the right direction.
The Practical Caravan magazine had an avondale wren that had damp walls and they repaired it, and showed how they did it with some pictures, so it is not impossible to cure damp.
For my own part, all that I did with the 'leaky Lunar' that I
bought was clean it up, reseal round the awning rail and some beading on the back of the caravan and just carried on using it.
As long as the caravan is safe, and has good tyres and brakes and working road lights then try it out. Its a good way to find out if you will like caravanning and if you like it then move up to the next caravan when you can.
I should just say that even if the tyres look ok check the sidewalls for signs of age, cracking etc.
I'm sorry I cant help with the 'wobble board' roof sound, you've not got Rolf Harris hiding up there have you? :0)
I should get hold of some step ladders and have a look to make sure that nothing is loose, including the roof vent if there is one fitted.
If you can get your caravan under cover you could probably do it up a bit over the coming winter. Who knows? we would probably be seeking advice from you then.
The best of luck, I hope that you can get it sorted out.
Regards, Steve
Welcome to the forum, and also to caravanning. Thats one more of us and one less of them.
Nobody is going to laugh at you because we all have to start somewhere, I've bought caravans in the past that were damp and had delaminated floors.
I hope that you didn't spend a fortune on your caravan but is there any way that you can seek some redress from the sellers?
If they said that the caravan wasn't damp then it sounds as though they've been telling you porkies.
When you lift the carpet I think that you will find that the floor has become delaminated. To repair that is not too difficult but I dont know about the walls.
If you can find out what's causing the damp walls and reseal it the caravan might last a bit longer.
If you post your questions under Technical I'm sure that many forum members will point you in the right direction.
The Practical Caravan magazine had an avondale wren that had damp walls and they repaired it, and showed how they did it with some pictures, so it is not impossible to cure damp.
For my own part, all that I did with the 'leaky Lunar' that I
bought was clean it up, reseal round the awning rail and some beading on the back of the caravan and just carried on using it.
As long as the caravan is safe, and has good tyres and brakes and working road lights then try it out. Its a good way to find out if you will like caravanning and if you like it then move up to the next caravan when you can.
I should just say that even if the tyres look ok check the sidewalls for signs of age, cracking etc.
I'm sorry I cant help with the 'wobble board' roof sound, you've not got Rolf Harris hiding up there have you? :0)
I should get hold of some step ladders and have a look to make sure that nothing is loose, including the roof vent if there is one fitted.
If you can get your caravan under cover you could probably do it up a bit over the coming winter. Who knows? we would probably be seeking advice from you then.
The best of luck, I hope that you can get it sorted out.
Regards, Steve
Hi Steve, thanks for taking time to reply to me, I actually feel a bit more reassured!! The Missus bought the caravan from Ebay, sold as seen so we've got no redress. Th only good thing is that we didn't pay much for it - if we had to scrap it or whatever it wouldn't be the end of the world. It's just a temporary starter van - hopefully we'll upgrade next year. Can I just ask a couple more questions? Assuming that the new mastic stuff we put in the joins has done the job and no more water gets in, will the damp that's in the walls now just dry out and stay as it is (ie, not get any worse?) Is there anything I can do to make sure it's properly dry (dehumidifier/heater etc) If the floor is delaminated when I lift the carpet how will I know for sure, what are the signs? I've looked underneath outside and it's dirty but there's nothing under there too scary looking (famous last words I'm sure!!!) The tyres look fine, no bulges, no cracks, tread looks OK. The lights all work the towing hitch and everything at the business end looks fine. Sorry to go on, am desperately seeking someone to tell me everything will be alright and that our happy holiday home isn't in fact a death-trap on wheels!!!! One last thing...can a normal car mechanic service the brakes or does it have to be done by a proper caravan-man? Right, I think that's everything, thanks for taking the time to read all this. Jon
Parksy
Moderator
Hi Jonathon
If you can stop any more water coming in to your caravan by sealing it with something like silkaflex sealant then there is no real reason for the dampness to become any worse.
You can get silkaflex from any caravan accesory store or from Towsure who also do on line mail order. A really good place for any sealant or bits and pieces is C.A.K. Tanks,in Kenilworth
Their website is www.caktanks.co.uk
I thought it was an unfortunate choice of name as well, but it stands for 'caravan accessories Kenilworth' apparently.
Dont worry about asking questions, that is what forums are for and there are some really clever people on here.( Sadly, I'm not one of them!)
If you have any signs of black sooty mould these are damp spores and are best not inhaled. They can be removed using a cloth dampened with a weak solution of household bleach.
I've heard it said that damp can be removed from caravan walls by using dehumidifiers, but I can't help thinking that unless you block every apeture to the outside of the caravan, then maybe you would be running the thing for ever.
Try opening the doors,windows and any vents to the outside on a bright, breezy day, like it is here in the Midlands today and allow some good fresh air into the caravan. Mind that no tom cats get in though, you'll never get rid of the pong.
Caravan floors are made from ply wood and consist of a sheet on the bottom,then a layer of insulating material, then another layer of ply on the top. This is all bonded together, and with age and the odd spill or leaky pipe the solvent, or glue, breaks down and the bottom and top ply seperate. A gap forms and this is delamination.
The solvent to repair this can be bought from flea bay or Apollo Chemicals. I think that they are in Tamworth, Staffs, and do mail order.
A comprehensive set of instructions have been posted on this forum and if you find out how to access the archive you will probably find them under 'Floor Delamination' ( I'm a computer dinosaur I'm afraid)
Basically the repair consists of lifting the carpet, cleaning the area, drilling holes of a given size through the top layer of ply and injecting the solvent. Ventilation is important when doing this and care must be taken not to drill all the way through the floor. The holes are drilled in a regular pattern.
When the repair is dry a day or so later the job is tidied up by scraping the excess solvent with a stanley blade. The job can be a bit messy but can be done by any diy-er.
Regarding the brakes, first check that the 'over run'is working properly.This is where you push your hitch back and it releases the brakes when you are reversing.
If you jack one side of your caravan up it is important that the opposite wheel is securely chocked otherwise the caravan will come off the jack, probably when you are under it. :O(
It helps to hitch the caravan to your towcar for added safety.
At the back of the brake drum is an adjuster and as you turn the wheel in a forward direction you tighten the adjuster untill the brake stops the wheel from turning.
Turning the wheel forward gradually slacken the adjuster untill the wheel is freed.Check the over run again. So yes, a normal mechanic can service the brakes i would think.
Try to read up as much as you can Jon, there is lots of information in caravan magazines and on this and other caravan forums.
The most important thing is that when you take the plunge and go on that first trip dont overload your caravan or towcar, and distribute any weight properly. (no heavy items in top cupboards and anything that you carry place over the axle)
It might be an idea to find a place to try out your caravan not too far away from home so that if you find anything wrong or forget something(everybody does) then its not a disaster.
The most important thing above all else is to enjoy yourself. Regards, Steve
If you can stop any more water coming in to your caravan by sealing it with something like silkaflex sealant then there is no real reason for the dampness to become any worse.
You can get silkaflex from any caravan accesory store or from Towsure who also do on line mail order. A really good place for any sealant or bits and pieces is C.A.K. Tanks,in Kenilworth
Their website is www.caktanks.co.uk
I thought it was an unfortunate choice of name as well, but it stands for 'caravan accessories Kenilworth' apparently.
Dont worry about asking questions, that is what forums are for and there are some really clever people on here.( Sadly, I'm not one of them!)
If you have any signs of black sooty mould these are damp spores and are best not inhaled. They can be removed using a cloth dampened with a weak solution of household bleach.
I've heard it said that damp can be removed from caravan walls by using dehumidifiers, but I can't help thinking that unless you block every apeture to the outside of the caravan, then maybe you would be running the thing for ever.
Try opening the doors,windows and any vents to the outside on a bright, breezy day, like it is here in the Midlands today and allow some good fresh air into the caravan. Mind that no tom cats get in though, you'll never get rid of the pong.
Caravan floors are made from ply wood and consist of a sheet on the bottom,then a layer of insulating material, then another layer of ply on the top. This is all bonded together, and with age and the odd spill or leaky pipe the solvent, or glue, breaks down and the bottom and top ply seperate. A gap forms and this is delamination.
The solvent to repair this can be bought from flea bay or Apollo Chemicals. I think that they are in Tamworth, Staffs, and do mail order.
A comprehensive set of instructions have been posted on this forum and if you find out how to access the archive you will probably find them under 'Floor Delamination' ( I'm a computer dinosaur I'm afraid)
Basically the repair consists of lifting the carpet, cleaning the area, drilling holes of a given size through the top layer of ply and injecting the solvent. Ventilation is important when doing this and care must be taken not to drill all the way through the floor. The holes are drilled in a regular pattern.
When the repair is dry a day or so later the job is tidied up by scraping the excess solvent with a stanley blade. The job can be a bit messy but can be done by any diy-er.
Regarding the brakes, first check that the 'over run'is working properly.This is where you push your hitch back and it releases the brakes when you are reversing.
If you jack one side of your caravan up it is important that the opposite wheel is securely chocked otherwise the caravan will come off the jack, probably when you are under it. :O(
It helps to hitch the caravan to your towcar for added safety.
At the back of the brake drum is an adjuster and as you turn the wheel in a forward direction you tighten the adjuster untill the brake stops the wheel from turning.
Turning the wheel forward gradually slacken the adjuster untill the wheel is freed.Check the over run again. So yes, a normal mechanic can service the brakes i would think.
Try to read up as much as you can Jon, there is lots of information in caravan magazines and on this and other caravan forums.
The most important thing is that when you take the plunge and go on that first trip dont overload your caravan or towcar, and distribute any weight properly. (no heavy items in top cupboards and anything that you carry place over the axle)
It might be an idea to find a place to try out your caravan not too far away from home so that if you find anything wrong or forget something(everybody does) then its not a disaster.
The most important thing above all else is to enjoy yourself. Regards, Steve
What with damp and a noisy roof you're not having a good entry to caravanning are you ?
Without seeing the beast it's difficult to advise. My best suggestion is that you find a local mobile caravan service technician who is a member of the Caravan Club / NNC approved scheme 9Use the CC website or www.jones-vening.co.uk).
Call him and explain you problems then ask what he would charge you to come and do an inspection. I would guess this should not take much more than an hour plus travelling.
Then depending on his report, either have a go yourself or go to an approved workshop which specialises in body work. I would get an estimate before you go ahead with any work, as there is a chance that it may not be economic, given today's high labour charges.
Also have a read of the Haynes caravan maintenance manual which will give you a good idea of most of the basic jobs.
Roofs of some vans of this vintage wil "bong" if pressure appllied - e.g. if you push down with your hand and release, but I have never hear one "bong" of it's own accord in even a high wind. If the rest of the van is really damp, then I fear that this may extend to the roof too.
Very sorry not to bring good news, but hope the advice may give you a forward plan.
Without seeing the beast it's difficult to advise. My best suggestion is that you find a local mobile caravan service technician who is a member of the Caravan Club / NNC approved scheme 9Use the CC website or www.jones-vening.co.uk).
Call him and explain you problems then ask what he would charge you to come and do an inspection. I would guess this should not take much more than an hour plus travelling.
Then depending on his report, either have a go yourself or go to an approved workshop which specialises in body work. I would get an estimate before you go ahead with any work, as there is a chance that it may not be economic, given today's high labour charges.
Also have a read of the Haynes caravan maintenance manual which will give you a good idea of most of the basic jobs.
Roofs of some vans of this vintage wil "bong" if pressure appllied - e.g. if you push down with your hand and release, but I have never hear one "bong" of it's own accord in even a high wind. If the rest of the van is really damp, then I fear that this may extend to the roof too.
Very sorry not to bring good news, but hope the advice may give you a forward plan.
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