It's too warm and wet to be inside

JohnDH
JohnDH Forum Participant Posts: 183
100 Comments
edited December 2015 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

Mould or Mildew is always something at the back or our minds when we lay up our caravans/motorhomes for winter. We do the sensible things like open the windows and roof vents a crack to keep it ventilated during winter storage. Some like me, will have undercover storage. But, is this the best way to keep our equipment in this wet and warm winter? are we doing the right things? I dont think I was.

Some weeks ago, the wind blew hard, so I put my precious plastic palace inside. The wind went and the rain came, so I left it there in the shed. Doing the rounds yesterday and making my to do list for the xmas escape plan, I noticed areas of the concrete floor absolutly soaking, the van drenched on the outside with condensation. Inside the van, some condensation around the roof vents. otherwise, everything is fine.

The problem is of course, not the fact that it has rained, but the ground has remained saturated since last winter. The rain fall that we see now is lifting the water tables, to the point where water is wicking under the concrete floor. So we have wet. Now the second problem, temperature. Its so warm that algea around the farm is forming readily. Its the perfect storm. Wet and mild with no ventilation in the building. the perfect place for Mold and  Mildew to thrive. Ordinarily, storing my van inside is the cbest place, but not this year. I'm ok, I can check, daily if necessary. My van is outside, heaters going flat out and everything is dry.

Down south. its even warmer (and wetter, maybe). If your van is stored undercover, its realy worth a double check. Are you doing the right thing? Is it better to leave it outside?

 

PS. I've just been told that the Dornoch golf club has got the lawn mowers out! Unverified.

Comments

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2015 #2

    Yesterday was a weird day - I have a downstairs wet room - and had a shower there on Wednesday night - left a small window open but the floor was still saturated yesterday morning and stayed wet all day despite lots more air being allowed in.  I had a shower
    last night - same procedure and the floor was dry as a bone this morning!   It didn't appear that different outside but it must have been.  Since I have been caravanning a lot in the last few months I have stayed sleeping in the van so at least I am keeping
    that well aired! 

  • JohnDH
    JohnDH Forum Participant Posts: 183
    100 Comments
    edited December 2015 #3

    Lots of changes in humidity as these wx fronts pas through. Soggy air from the azores. I never thought I would wish the 'Azores High' to clear off.

  • Swifty 123
    Swifty 123 Forum Participant Posts: 100
    edited December 2015 #4

    It certainly is weird weather for the time of year isn't it! Ours is stored outside in what must be one of the highest caravan storage facilities in England and believe me it gets cold and windy up there. We try and use our van every month of the year to
    keep the dreaded damp/ condensation at bay. Wish we had covered storage though....

  • JohnDH
    JohnDH Forum Participant Posts: 183
    100 Comments
    edited December 2015 #5

    Swifty, use the van is good. If your Wx is anything like mine, covered or inside storage maybe not a good idea.

  • Bob2112
    Bob2112 Forum Participant Posts: 276
    100 Comments
    edited December 2015 #6

    My campervan is in the car port which I thought was the best of all options but even there it needs to go for a run every few days . Roll on winter.