damp dry out

[maxtherotti]

hi all

my 2002 compass rallye has just had a service and a few water leaks fixed (i hope) but my batrooom end corner is still a little damp

whats the best way to dry this out?

i was thinking of getting a de humidifier as recommended by caravan centre but upon reading up on them i think that will be a waste of money.

the van is on the drive with constant hook up so is it worth putting a heater in there to dry it out??

thanks rob

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Rob,

Provided the leaks have been fixed, then you could use a dehumidifier provide all the vents in the area are blocked off, but otherwise ventilation, maybe us the fan of a heater without the heat to circulate the air.

 

[maxtherotti]

well thats interesting as i was reading this thread http://www.practicalcaravan.com/newforums/fm_messages.asp?FO=1&FM=478169

about de humidifiers and they dont seem to carry much favour??

would leaving the trauma heater (the electric one) on be ok?

rob

 

[Glenn_5132962]

The problem is that the moisture is trapped behind the wall board. You could cut a hole in the board & install an internal vent & then have a fan heater blow against the wall (carefully) for a few days.

 

[ChrisinSwansea]

You do need to be a bit careful with dehumidifiers as they will suck the moisture out of anything.

I left one in a freshly plastered room overnight band in the morning, my floorboards had all curled!

Some material, including wood do need a little moisture in them I suppose?

Any scientists out there to help with this?

 

[readcaravans]

dehumidifiers are a waste of time in this instance to dry out damp because the moisture is trapped behind vinyl paper. as you may know vinyl paper will not let water past. so all you would do is suck out all the moisture in the caravan in that area and not from behind the vinyl.

the quick answer is to remove the interior wallboard, dry out the internal framework and then replace with new wallboard. the other option is to remove the vinyl paper, then use a heater with good ventilation, so not to cause condensation in the rest of the caravan, and then re-vinyl.

in summer you may even get away with drying out naturally because the sun generating heat outside and warming the aluminium and using the caravan with its heater inside will raise the temperature thus causing the wall "dry" from the inside.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello rob,

Yes you did read the other thread correctly. The difference in my comment relates to the blocking off of the ventilation holes. This would stop the reintroduction of moisture laden outside air.

If you can feel the dampness on the inside then a dehumidifier will help, as clearly the dampness has managed to cross the vinyl paper barrier, or is affecting internal fittings.

There are valid points in all the subsequent replies,

Read caravans response is correct if the dampness is in the wall structure but involves major works and expense.