New to all this need help

[anthony_374310046]

i have bought a 5 birth caravan but its got a damp patch in the bedroom at the bottom of the window. i think the out side strip has allowed water in whats the best way to repair as am good at DIY and with wood etc do i do it from the inside? whats best to use i know I can do it myself if i know how to. can anyone help if so please email any info to me 381@blueyonder.co.uk thanks

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Anthony,

It's probably a leak around the window rubber, but by no means certain - water has this tendency to run along battens or other internal structures and end up somewhere different to the actual leak.

But assuming it's the window rubber:

1. The rubber is sealed to the van with a butyl mastic bead - and years ago some manufacturers cut the quality corner - and the cheap or thin mastic hasn't lasted as it should.

2. Remove the window - should slide out sideways

3. Remove the rubber - there should be a load of staples under a central trim strip

4. Remove the old mastic with white spirit

5. Apply new mastic (and a new window rubber) and refit.

This doesn't address the issue of what to do with the damp wall - this will need drying out - nor anything to do with the interior skin - and any rot you may have.

Probably best to buy a copy of the Haynes Caravan manual from Halfords (around

 

[anthony_374310046]

Hi Anthony,

It's probably a leak around the window rubber, but by no means certain - water has this tendency to run along battens or other internal structures and end up somewhere different to the actual leak.

But assuming it's the window rubber:

1. The rubber is sealed to the van with a butyl mastic bead - and years ago some manufacturers cut the quality corner - and the cheap or thin mastic hasn't lasted as it should.

2. Remove the window - should slide out sideways

3. Remove the rubber - there should be a load of staples under a central trim strip

4. Remove the old mastic with white spirit

5. Apply new mastic (and a new window rubber) and refit.

This doesn't address the issue of what to do with the damp wall - this will need drying out - nor anything to do with the interior skin - and any rot you may have.

Probably best to buy a copy of the Haynes Caravan manual from Halfords (around

 

[cooky1]

Anthony, I think you will have to remove the hardboard and see how much of the wood is damp/damaged behind. This will need to be cut out and replaced before you replace the hardboard.

Like Robert said, seal the outside to stop any more water getting in before tackling the damp wood.

Graeme.

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Anthony,

The first job is to find and fix the leak.

The second job is to remove the damaged wallboard and replace with new wallboard - you may want to fit a complete new or half panel - just so that the repair looks "original"

The third job is to look inside when you have the wallbaord off and see what internal damage has occured - and with the wallboard off is the best time to use tghe dehumidifier.

A note about dehumidifiers and caravans - carvans are not sealed boxes - running a dehumdifier in a van just dries out the whole street (as well as you van).

Making an internal tent from cheap plastic sheeting to enclose the damp area and the dehumidifer is a good idea

And a tip about the forum - just use the "Reply to Topic" button - the comments get hidden and you'll miss something.

Robert

 

[anthony_374310046]

Thanks for all the help am new but eager to learn