strange bubbles/lumps on bathroom wall

[Grahamh]

Have a 2008 Avondale dart. On the last outing (this week) have noticed a series of bumps appearing on the outside wall of the bathroom (inside the b'room)- its beneath the surface, almost like small grains of rice. They are hard - not like air bubbles. Its like a rash, but in two or three places over the wall. I'm baffled as to what it could be. We've never used the shower so can't be water from that. I'm wondering if it's corrosion on the panel beneath the (vinyl?) covering. Also wondered whether its caused by damp from the outside although I can't see any faults/cracks in the sealant where the roof meets the side panel.
Anyone seen anything like this?
Will try to take some pictures.

 

[waffler]

This has been mentioned before- can't remember the detail. The vinyl is usually stuck to ply wood. Suggest you get it examined for damp. It is very rare for showers to cause this so anticipate external damp.

 

[ValA.]

I'd agree with waffler - this sounds like damp. There is a picture here: Damp caravan, showing what it looks like with the vinyl surface of the wallboard stripped off. Check it out and find the cause asap before it gets any worse.

 

[Robtel]

In a previous caravan some years ago (Lunar Lexon) I had what seems very similar inside the toilet/shower on the external wall. It was indeed damp traced to a leaking join on the roof. Fixed fairly simply under warranty. Advise you to get it checked out.

 

[Grahamh]

Thanks for all your advice. Just back from w/e trip and, as the weather was perfect, removed the awning rail from the rear offside above the bathroom. Sure enough there was evidence of water ingress at the rear where the rail curved over the join between rear panel, roof and side. Spent most of the day cleaning it - the rail and panels-, removing all the old sealant - there was very little over the area where it was obviously leaking - , and reapplying sealant obtained from my local caravan workshop. Several of the screws used to hold the rail on were sheared ( before I touched them I may add) so used all new on reassembly. All looks tiddly now. When we get another dry sunny day I may do the the other side. When I made the observation that I did'nt think I would have to do this after barely 3 years the comment made was 'a Fiday van then'.
What should I do about the inside tho?

 

[Caprelous]

I have been following this thread with interest.
May I suggest you remove the awning rail altogether and rebed completely using all stainless screws so in the future every 2 or three years or so the rail can be taken of again and re bedded once more.
Being in the construction industry I have found that all sealants harden and with flexation of different materials that expand at different temp etc and constand movement of the body sealants dont have the longlevity that most people expect of them.
Personally I take mine of every other year and re bed wether it needs it or not that way I can sleep at nights knowing that no ingress of any damp is entering the structure of the caravan.

I should point out if everyone carried out these procedures damp problems would not be so indemic as it currently is.

Hope this helps who heeds the advice given

Regards
Stu

 

[Surfer]

You should have taken the caravan back to the dealer and asked for the work to be done under warranty as per the Sale of Goods Act, however you are in a fortunate enough position to have done the repair your self.

 

[alisonavondale]

Hi

We have an avondale mayfair (2002)and have noticed what seems to be the same as you are describing. I have noticed it getting worse when I have had the heater on and not opened the bathroom window. I now constantly leave the window a little bit open. Did you discover whether it is actually damp in your caravan? We are going to go to a dealer this week to get ours checked but wondered whether you could provide any advice a week on from placing the enquiry?

Thanks