Just had van back from service on report 9 and 10 on sides 8-14 on roof and 9-14 front is this good or bad.
damp report
- Thread starter dave_374329825
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Damian
Moderator
Damian
Moderator
Mile, a reading of 18% in one place is a reading which needs looking at again in 3 months, it may just be a bad reading on the day, but hopefully shoul dget better if everything is ok, or it will get worse , indicating a problem probably withthe window seal.
Thanks for that Damian. The 18% reading was during the annual service last November, shortly after a long trip home in pounding rain, and it was suggested I take the 'van back for a further reading next month. I will keep you posted if only for general forum interest.
in my 17yrs experience in the caravan industry and repairing damp caravans, 18% is nothing to worry about. you can get anything upto 22% in timber naturally. and over the last 10 yrs the industry has reduced the amount of fixed ventilation in caravans, creating condensation problems and so the average reading has generally gone up too. for the last 8 years i have been operating my several workshops to only indicate a problem above 30% and this has been without one single problem of a leak occuring below this reading and monitoring the caravan for years of service. the caravan manufacturers are aware of how i have been operating over the years and they have not had one complaint from any customers.
Thanks for your comment Oracle. We have an outing planned soon which will,I hope, give the 'van an airing then take the service centre up on the offer of a second damp check
took delivery of a 2009 new compass 462 caravan after only one nt in it the toilet in the end bathroom has leaked water from the base, carpet & floor wet through,not sure how long water has been in contact with floor as explorer would have tested also dealers who now say they are to reseal the toilet at the base & test for water damage, dealers say they cannot be sure but think it will not have caused any long term damage,We are concerned if this will devalue our caravan if we decide to change caravan.This is the second compass caravan we have had as back in OCT we took delivery of the compass 462 only to notice it had a sizeable repair on the side panel, compass ageed to replace for another new compass 462 delivery date of jan 16/09, now we have problems with the toilet leakage, any advise please
Have been back today for the second damp check - we are now looking at 20 - 30% damp and a quote for
Damian
Moderator
Oh dear Mike, really sorry to hear the readings are worse.
I suppose that the only saving factor is you have caught it early so a cure can be put in place quicker to stop further damage.
When will the caravan industry listen and spend a little more on sealant around the more vulnerable places on a van to ensure a long lasting product remains in the best condition.
Makes me very sad to keep reading about damp and water ingress when it costs so little to do something at manufacure stage rather than after.
I suppose that the only saving factor is you have caught it early so a cure can be put in place quicker to stop further damage.
When will the caravan industry listen and spend a little more on sealant around the more vulnerable places on a van to ensure a long lasting product remains in the best condition.
Makes me very sad to keep reading about damp and water ingress when it costs so little to do something at manufacure stage rather than after.
Simon with that kind of leak and dealer or manufacture not knowing about long term damage I would reject the van again no messing.
Kevin
Just the man I need to speak, what do you think caused the warping to the side of my cupboard next to the fridge, a posible clue, a discovered wind blowing in above the fridge door at a rate of knots, could that wind carry damp possible what do you think.
water on a caravan floor is not as damaging as the side walls because the floor is normally marine rated ply which is treated. as long as the water has not been trapped for any length of time the floor will dry out with no problems.
if it is an older caravan the insulation around the fridge wasnt as good as it is these days, and it is very possible to find moisture because of this. plus newer caravans now come with fridge vents which can be fitted with winter covers to stop wind and rain getting in. it could even be due to the heat generated from the use of the fridge. the only way to find out without taking the fridge out, is to look through the fridge vents and look for any staining or discolouration of the wood.
Just had my yearly service (caravan, not me)and got damp readings of 12-14 on n/s and 14/16 on o/s. I'm not too worried about the level of the readings, more the difference from side to side. Would the position of the van in storage cause a difference like this, although I'm parked between two other vans. What sun we do get plays on the 'damper' side of the van.
Just an up date on my previous comments on this thread:
After the initial damp report of 18% under the front windows and the second three months later of 20 - 30% and the need to replace N/S and centre window seals - also the O/S for appearances sake (
After the initial damp report of 18% under the front windows and the second three months later of 20 - 30% and the need to replace N/S and centre window seals - also the O/S for appearances sake (
You are clearly an expect in this feild. I have just bought a caravan with a damp roop ( 1996 Eldiss Crown Septre ) How much would it cost to replace the celing boards which are rotting. Water ingress from the roof vent which can be sealed esily.
Many thanks
Many thanks
Damian
Moderator
Mike, if the ceiling boards are rotting. then the problem is going to be much more widespread then just replacing the boards.
The wood surounding the roof vent will probably be rotten as well, and depending how long it has been leaking, and how far the water has travelled in the roof area, the problem may be widespread.
Ceiling boards can be found for about
The wood surounding the roof vent will probably be rotten as well, and depending how long it has been leaking, and how far the water has travelled in the roof area, the problem may be widespread.
Ceiling boards can be found for about
I have tested the whole ceiling. The walls are dry ( they were done a couple of years ago )no reading and hard and the roof is dry above the cupboards i.e. one foot in. The area affected is around the vent and the middle which is black with mould ( when a made a little cut )so a definatle rip out. I know a local firm who does repairs and i will getting quotes this week. I just wanted a ball park figure
Thanks for your help
Mike
Thanks for your help
Mike
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