Using a dehumidifier for drying out the interior of our van

[Tim2]

Following problems with damp in our van(see recent post "update on damp problems with in our 'van") I am thinking of using a dehumidifier to help dry out the small area of damp wallboards.

I know nothing about them!!

Can anyone advise about:

What sort of size?

How long would I need to use the humidifier?

Is it worth buying one or should I hire?

The damp is confined to a small area on the rear nearside corner, within the rear bathroom wardrobe.

I usually keep the van in a farm building but that doesn't have an electricity supply. I, therefore, have to keep the 'van outside our house whilst using electric appliances and would prefer not to keep it there too long!

The damp areas to seem to be drying out since I resealed the rails and ran a fan heater in the bathroom area for 2 weeks.

Thanks in anticipation for any advice.

Regards

Tim

 

[keith_5081818]

If you use a dehumidifier your best bet is to seal the van up, that means sealing all vents in the walls & in the floor, i.e under the fridge, fire, cooker, beside the waterheater, under bedboxes etc, as if u dont you'll just be trying to take the water out of all the air on the planet, instead of forming a dry atmosphere in the van to encourage the damp out of the walls.

And dont forget to unseal it when your done, especially under gas appliances, we dont want u dead.

 

[PaulA3]

I have used one for years, I never sealed up the van just popped it in and had it running on the slow setting to avoid drying it out to much which could result in warped wood. Open up all the interior doors and remember to check it often especially in wet weather to empty the holding tank.

 

[RogerL]

PaulA - all you've been doing is "dehumidifying" the fresh air around your caravan!

Fresh air is meant to circulate into and out of a caravan, this will dry out the interior eventually if it's been subject to a leak. To dry it out quicker just operate the heating system but realise that this energy is simply wasted.

 

[PaulA3]

Got to disagree. In theory your right in practice your wrong I had a leak which I found and repaired using the dehumidifier it dried up much quicker than previous leaks I have repaired. The van dries and the air is ventilated, if you were to completely seal the van you would be in danger of drying it out to much which could cause severe damage.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

RogerL, you are right that fresh air will help dry out the van but that depends on the time of year. At the moment the air is saturated with moisture so I cannot see how that will help. The dehumidifier fan helps circulate the air inside the van and unless your van leaks like a bucket with gaps all over I cant see any problem what PaulA is doing. When using the dehumidifier in the home nobody seals up all doors and windows.

 

[BigRoy]

Tim the answer would be to use your fan heater and a dehumidifier.

If you use the heater on its own you will just create water vapour inside the van so by using a dehumidifier this will draw the vapour from the air.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Roy is correct - the warmer the air the more efficient the dehumidifier.