Black mould spots

biscuit2008
biscuit2008 Forum Participant Posts: 1
edited January 2018 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

Just wondering if anyone can help.  We are relatively new to caravans.  Our first van, 2009 Sterling Eccles is stored under cover in a barn over winter, damp crystals inside, vents left slightly open throughout, including bathroom.  We have black mould spots appearing on the panelling, the caravan doesn't smell damp, all bedding etc has been removed for winter.  We have tried everything to remove and we can't.

Does anyone have any tips on how to stop going forward and how to remove?  We spoke to the dealer we purchased off and they had no idea why it's happening.

Comments

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2018 #2

    It's difficult to say why this happens to some and not others and why it may or may not happen from year to year. Some will say use a de-humidifier, crystals, a magic wand and I use nothing.

    We have stored our latest caravan at the same site for 4 winters, nothing changed in how we store it and all good for the first two winters but the 3rd winter all the curtain liners had mold spots on them. Maybe we all have differing micro climates that change humidity and circulation that tips the balance on occasions. I have no answer and this winter so far, all is good.

    A light mixture of water and bleach and/or bathroom mold cleaner should kill the spores on hard panels.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2018 #3

    If we have a prolonged period of cold or warm humid weather this can be a problem. You say you've left the vents slightly open but it's best to leave these as open as is possible to allow the best circulation. Removal of not just bedding but all materials including mattresses, cushions and curtains etc which can absorb water and retain this will also help. Then leave doors, cupboards cabinets etc open to allow as much air circulation inside the van as possible and eliminate as many 'dead air spaces' as possible. Lastly, try to store the van where the sun can shine on it (when it shines), and air can circulate around the outside if at all possible. Then pray for a spell of cold dry sunny weather conditions when humidity is low. Hope this helps.  The jury is out on whether dehumidifiers can help, you can't fight the 'tide' that is atmospheric conditions, best to,work with it may be the answer.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2018 #4

    Better still use it as regularly as you  can.

    peedee

  • Cartledge
    Cartledge Forum Participant Posts: 267
    100 Comments
    edited January 2018 #5

    Store ours at home with electric connected. Keeps the battery charged. With the fridge and all doors and lockers left open I turn on the van heater for a few hours on 500 watts every now and again to air everything. Seems to work and isnt too costly.

    I'm told that storing on grass rather than a hard standing can cause damp to rise through the floor vents, but we've never had a problem.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2018 #6

    In 40 years of owning caravans and MH we have never had a problem with mold or damp in the vans. The caravans were never used between October and April, never removed anything from them. In Germany where we lived for many years the winters were very cold but not damp like here. We now live in Scotland but tend to use the van over the winter months at least once a month for a week or more. Bedding comes in but the cushions don't, so far so good.

    Maybe its because its stored inside in a barn with not a lot of air circulating that is causing it, air probably warmer than outside.

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