Repairing a Used Caravan That Suffers From Damp

When buying a used caravan, there are many things you should look for to make sure you get the best caravan possible. One of the most common, and most bothersome, problems older model caravans can have is the issue of damp. You can notice if the caravan is damp when you're inspecting it before buying by looking out for strange smells and dark spots in the interior of the caravan.

If you don't notice anything and decide to buy the caravan, you can still discover later that the caravan really does suffer from damp. There's, however, no reason for panic. There are things you can do to sort this problem out. If you feel confident, buying a caravan with damp and then fixing it yourself can save you a lot of money on the purchase.

A heat fan or a dehumidifier

The first thing you can do to dry the caravan out is to invest in a heat fan or a dehumidifier. A heat fan might not be the best choice if the temperature outside is low, as this might cause further moisture in your caravan. If the damp hasn't become too severe yet, it's possible that the act of simply drying your caravan might solve the problem.

Removing mould and mildew

If mould or mildew has formed in your caravan as an effect of the damp, you should remove it immediately. Get safety equipment such as safety goggles and rubber gloves, and then scrub the mould away using warm water, detergent and a toothbrush. Make sure you dry the area completely after washing it.

Severe problems with damp

If the damp is severe, then you have no choice but to start removing the interior. Remove and replace all panels that show signs of having been affected by damp. Dig out any moist material under the panels and replace that too. You might have to remove the furniture in your caravan to be able to do this. Make sure to look behind cabinets and such to make sure the damp hasn't gotten behind them without you noticing. If you notice when you've started working that there's too much job for you to perform, you should contact a professional to repair it.

Prevention

When you have removed all damp material, make sure it doesn't come back. You should replace the seals on the caravan and repair any leaking structures in the kitchen or bathroom. Also, examine all fittings in the caravan. Loose fittings might be areas where moisture comes into the caravan from the outside. You should also invest in a damp meter to keep an eye on the damp levels continuously after repairing it. 

For more information, contact your local caravan service.

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