How do you test for damp?

[Sam Vimes]

Not that I have a damp problem....better not as the van is just 12 months old....but just wondering how its done.

I've just bought a damp meter to check the wood in our log store and wonder if it could be used in the van. It has two pointy probes on it which I'm not sure I'd want to stick in the walls

 

[RogerL]

Not that I have a damp problem....better not as the van is just 12 months old....but just wondering how its done.

I've just bought a damp meter to check the wood in our log store and wonder if it could be used in the van. It has two pointy probes on it which I'm not sure I'd want to stick in the walls

That type of damp meter can only be used in caravans where the surface is wood - most modern caravans have plastic interiors.

The probes are used under the sealing strips so as not to show the holes.

 

[audiorob]

The forum will need to know the make of van as advice is different according to construction method and materials.

 

[Sam Vimes]

For what its worth its an Elddis Xplore 304 but I'd be interested how any van is tested.

 

[WayneS]

Nice little video:

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uRRdNaIXX80

 

[ProfJohnL]

Well done Wayne in finding this video.

 

[Sam Vimes]

Many thanks for that Wayne. Interesting.

I remember a number of years back trading in my caravan and the dealer just placed the palm of his hand on the walls in a few locations and said 'Yup that's ok, no damp'. That was ok by me.

 

[Jcloughie]

Many thanks for that Wayne. Interesting.

I remember a number of years back trading in my caravan and the dealer just placed the palm of his hand on the walls in a few locations and said 'Yup that's ok, no damp'. That was ok by me.

I have posted this on here a few times now. For the last 3 years my mobile engineer tells me that he is following the latest NCC guidance Re damp testing which varies from make to make. And it is just what you say feel and visual, for my Lunar. He has up to date and fully calibrated invasive and non invasive testers. Nevertheless, that is the current way of thinking. And bear in mind, Lunar are conventional construction. He does use his testers as well, but they are not a requirement.

But, in my opinion, using invasive testers is very easy on the face of it. They simply register the resistance between two probes. The skill comes with where to place them. We don’t want to leave visible marks, Also, if you are testing through an impervious surface you could be reading the surface and not the structure, particularly if there is some surface moisture present.

I have searched to verify the NCC guides to engineers but they do not appear to be published.

From previous postings it is clear that many do not agree with this method. I am simply repeating what the engineer told me.



John

 

[Damian]

I have searched to verify the NCC guides to engineers but they do not appear to be published.

They are not published because they do not exist !!!!
The NCC is about as useful as a chocolate teapot !

They seem to pick on certain topics and end up making a complete pigs ear of anything they meddle in.
One instance is when they told engineers to charge batteries in a sealed box .

Another is when they forced engineers to attend a certain electrical course with the thrust being that engineers would carry out Electrical installation checks as , in their words, every site will require a certificate before a unit is connected to a bollard.

Actually there is no legal requirement for that particular test regime, it is simply a recommendation to have the system tested after 3 years.

This was simply a money earner for the NCC and the so called trainer and the company who were promoted as being the "place to go to" for the expensive test equipment.
And guess what..... not a single site, commercial or club, ever asked an owner of a van for sight of their "test"

 

[Damian]

Regarding the video , thank goodness there is someone who is passionate about his business and not afraid to tell it "as it is".

A very refreshing take on the whole situation and honest advice.

 

[Hutch]

They are not published because they do not exist !!!!
The NCC is about as useful as a chocolate teapot !

They seem to pick on certain topics and end up making a complete pigs ear of anything they meddle in.
One instance is when they told engineers to charge batteries in a sealed box .

Another is when they forced engineers to attend a certain electrical course with the thrust being that engineers would carry out Electrical installation checks as , in their words, every site will require a certificate before a unit is connected to a bollard.

Actually there is no legal requirement for that particular test regime, it is simply a recommendation to have the system tested after 3 years.

This was simply a money earner for the NCC and the so called trainer and the company who were promoted as being the "place to go to" for the expensive test equipment.
And guess what..... not a single site, commercial or club, ever asked an owner of a van for sight of their "test"

Thanks for that insight Damian, I have often wondered about "The service sticker " Put on my caravan , I know of folk who would rather do their own servicing, myself included, (I have a Torque Wrench to be able to do the axle Nuts), but have wondered how many site ask about servicing detail. And decline customers.
I can see for safety issues it would be preferable but not compulsary.
Best I look at my clubs rules.

 

[Jcloughie]

They are not published because they do not exist !!!!
The NCC is about as useful as a chocolate teapot !

They seem to pick on certain topics and end up making a complete pigs ear of anything they meddle in.
One instance is when they told engineers to charge batteries in a sealed box .

Another is when they forced engineers to attend a certain electrical course with the thrust being that engineers would carry out Electrical installation checks as , in their words, every site will require a certificate before a unit is connected to a bollard.

Actually there is no legal requirement for that particular test regime, it is simply a recommendation to have the system tested after 3 years.

This was simply a money earner for the NCC and the so called trainer and the company who were promoted as being the "place to go to" for the expensive test equipment.
And guess what..... not a single site, commercial or club, ever asked an owner of a van for sight of their "test"

I don’t doubt what you say, the NCC’s reputation is well reported. I don’t actually think my mobile engineer has faith in the guidelines but he insists that they have issued damp testing procedures by make. Perhaps that is why he supports his visual and feel survey with both his meters.

Just watching him and chatting, I have faith in his integrity. He is very thougher.

John

 

[Hutch]

It is the same with my mobile engineer, I have watched him and consider his work very competent, as opposed to others, i have used. Maybe in another couple of years I will get him in to just do a damp check report. And If i decide to sell it then get a full service, upon negotiation with the buyer.

 

[WayneS]

Regarding the video , thank goodness there is someone who is passionate about his business and not afraid to tell it "as it is".

A very refreshing take on the whole situation and honest advice.

Darren (in the video) is a great guy, Where we store our caravan is right next door to his place. Our whale pump was not drawing water, popped in to buy a replacement from him and he said "let's see your old one first" - tested it for me, said it was fine and advised on what to check (was just a blade fuse that needed re-seating,.) - refused offer of any money from me, really honest and helpful.

 

[Jcloughie]

Excellent video. He seems to be saying the same as my mobile engineer, feel and observation backed up by testing and particularly non invasive. My previous engineer, (who I had no faith in, only used him once). Simple went around making vampire marks and relying on those results alone.

John

 

[ProfJohnL]

Some of the comments reminds me of a situation I had with a car which was running poorly on part throttle. The garage techie plugged the "computer in and made some adjustments and said that all fine now and unplugged it and sent me on my way lighter by a few pounds.

A few hundred yards up the road the same problem arose, so I turned round and went strait back. The manager hooked it up this time, and said it's all within limits so it should be ok, but just to be sure he called over an older (dare I say passed retirement age engineer) who said , just start the car, and with a long screw driver to his ear he touch various parts of the engine and listened, then stood up and said "that's poor ignition on no 3. HT wire problem solved.

You can't beat experience combined with knowledge.

 

[RogerL]

Some of the comments reminds me of a situation I had with a car which was running poorly on part throttle. The garage techie plugged the "computer in and made some adjustments and said that all fine now and unplugged it and sent me on my way lighter by a few pounds.

A few hundred yards up the road the same problem arose, so I turned round and went strait back. The manager hooked it up this time, and said it's all within limits so it should be ok, but just to be sure he called over an older (dare I say passed retirement age engineer) who said , just start the car, and with a long screw driver to his ear he touch various parts of the engine and listened, then stood up and said "that's poor ignition on no 3. HT wire problem solved.

You can't beat experience combined with knowledge.

Sadly the modern era of computerised diagnostics means that the few remaining old-school mechanics are unlikely to work for a franchised dealer.

 

[Buckman]

Some of the comments reminds me of a situation I had with a car which was running poorly on part throttle. The garage techie plugged the "computer in and made some adjustments and said that all fine now and unplugged it and sent me on my way lighter by a few pounds.

A few hundred yards up the road the same problem arose, so I turned round and went strait back. The manager hooked it up this time, and said it's all within limits so it should be ok, but just to be sure he called over an older (dare I say passed retirement age engineer) who said , just start the car, and with a long screw driver to his ear he touch various parts of the engine and listened, then stood up and said "that's poor ignition on no 3. HT wire problem solved.

You can't beat experience combined with knowledge.

I agree with you 110%. Technicians these days rely too much on what the computer tells them. If you want to totlaly baffle them tell them that you have a squeak from the front of the car. They can hear it, but resolving it seems to beyond their limited expertise.