More Help Please Damp Batten!!

[A12]

Hello again!

So I had a damp patch on my caravan wall. Not very big at all about 20cm x 20cm so I cut it out to investigate (can of worms)

I found a wet batten... the batten which holds the awning rail of course.
Now we know awning rail needed resealing and we are in the process of that, however, this batten is in a real awkward place as you can see from the photo.

Is there any advice on how to deal with this? Can I somehow rescue this???
Any help is appreciated!!

As you can see from the batten next to jt... its very dark compared to the good one. I wouldn't say its rotten...yet... but very wet! So almost.

 

[Mr Plodd]

First job is to stop any further water ingress to stop matters getting any worse.

Then dry the batten out, it might not be rotten and if that is indeed the case there is no need to replace it.

 

[A12]

First job is to stop any further water ingress to stop matters getting any worse.

Then dry the batten out, it might not be rotten and if that is indeed the case there is no need to replace it.

Thanks again Mr Plodd. Always helpful! Yes the rail is off and all clean ready to go back on. My only concern was if the screws would go back in which lead me to investigate and open the lovely can of worms.

I suppose the only way to really know is see if the screws hold?

Thanks again I really appreciate the advice as this can be stressful haha!

 

[JTQ]

Drill alternative holes in the rail, and use quality stainless steel screws.
I would use marine market (AISI 316) .

 

[Mr Plodd]

Drill alternative holes in the rail, and use quality stainless steel screws.
I would use marine market (AISI 316) .

Screws wont ever hold in wet wood.
Excellent advice re using stainless screws.

 

[JTQ]

Screws wont ever hold in wet wood.
Excellent advice re using stainless screws.

I was hoping the advice to dry it out first was adopted, plus then checking its not too rotted, so there is something viable to screw into.

Re using the old, already failed screw locations to me is a non starter.

 

[A12]

Thanks alot guys for your help...
I guess it'll be a case of a fan heater, windows open and a dehumidifier?

I've had a closer look and although it's obviously wet... its not.breaking away or crumbling away at all. It all feels very much insitu and fairly 'hard' still

 

[IanB1485]

Use a multitool (photo)to gently cut it out , on the outside remove herzim strip to release screws . fit new piece of batten (approx 23 x 47mm) and use polyurethane adhesive to glue it into place ( it expands as it sets and sticks like the proverbia) fill in the gaps with polystyrene block.

(Jablite Premium Polystyrene 25mm Insulation board (L)1.2m (W)0.45m, Pack of 8 available from B & Q )​

 

[JTQ]

I would not rush in doing too much till I had fully considered what needed or did not need replacing, or these jobs can grow like "Topsy".