Further update on Damp Problems

[Tim2]

Some folks may have read my earlier posts re high damp readings I discovered at the end of October in the nearside rear corner of our Avondale Landranger (1997. The high readings extended up to 20cm from the corner angle on the side and rear panels up to 70 cm from the floor. This is inside the wardrobe so a not very accessible area.

I had 2 quotes from dealers

(1) £1500 to take out and replace rear and side wallboards, re-sealing as necessary

(2) £300 to re-seal rails and let van dry out.

As I had already re-sealed all rails thoroughly in July I consulted on this and other caravan websites and decided to try drying out the van. I felt I had nothing to loose as if it failed I could revert to the expensive option of having the wallboards taken out and replaced.

At beginning of NovemberI hired a protimeter mini damp-meter and made a careful diagram showing readings. I then made some holes through the wallboard with a bradawl and have been running van electric heating and another electric fan heater 24 hours a day. About a months ago I supplemented this with a dehumidifier.

The readings have now considerably improved. There is only one area of the rear panel which is high (30%)and the rest are now under 15%. They were up to 50% when I began.

On the side panel all of the damp readings have dropped from 20-50% to 7-14%. The only concern now is that I am getting readings of 30-45% in a thin VERTICAL strip extending only 2cm from the corner angle from the floor to a height of 70cm. I am guessing that there is piece of wooden framework there. I have now bradawled more holes along this strip to see if this will dry out.

I WOULD WELCOME ANY HELPFUL COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS

Thanks

Tim

 

[rob_jax]

Tim,

Concerning the thin vertical strip of damp, it does indeed sound as if you have a wood frame behind that section - and the frame was soaked - so this will only very slowly dry out.

Please check on the outside that there isn't a vertical seam (close-ish) that needs sealing.

Also check the bottom of the van skin in that region, and make sure that any lower trim is not allowing water to collect.

Robert

 

[Tim2]

Thanks for the advice!

I plan to make good the holes with great care when the van is thoroughly dried out. A new van would be nice but is unfortunately not an option as I was made redundant earlier this year and I am only doing part-time work

In case this is any help to others -the "Protimeter Mini" is type of damp meter used by many dealers and was recommended to me by a dealer. It gives % readings on a "colour-coded" illuminated scale. Red high, orange borderline and green okay. In addition to the built in pair of pins it, also, has an extension lead which enables it to be used in inaccessible places. It costs about

 

[jennifer_5088515]

Thanks for the advice!

I plan to make good the holes with great care when the van is thoroughly dried out. A new van would be nice but is unfortunately not an option as I was made redundant earlier this year and I am only doing part-time work

In case this is any help to others -the "Protimeter Mini" is type of damp meter used by many dealers and was recommended to me by a dealer. It gives % readings on a "colour-coded" illuminated scale. Red high, orange borderline and green okay. In addition to the built in pair of pins it, also, has an extension lead which enables it to be used in inaccessible places. It costs about