Damp Levels
Hi Everyone,
Currently in the market for a new caravan and had a look at a Baileys Sintra a few days ago.
However underneath, at the front near side corner I found a patch of damp about the same size as playing card covered in white powdery stuff.
The Sales guy checked the caravan with a damp meter, on the inside the reading were 7-8% (dry) but out side around the white patch it read 17-18% and in the damp patch 21%
Is it fair to accept a slightly higher reading on a damp meter when testing the underside of a caravan (ie this 17-18%) or should the reading still be 10% or less given that the external surface of the wood should be sealed?
I’m not going ahead with this caravan as I believe it has a problem but curious about to expect on future inspections.
The sales guy dismissed the white as salt coming out of the wood but I believe it more to be the start of mould. Never seen salt coming out of wood before unless someone can correct me please.
Many thanks in advance.
Ed
Comments
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You did right in walking away in this instance as the Salesman was telling porkies, you should have looked at his nose as it would be growing as he was talking to you. But be aware there will be a level of damp in most vehicles, so what level is acceptable to you for your outlay.
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What are acceptable moisture level readings, how often and against what is the meter used checked against. Does it have to be recalibrated and hold it's own dated certificate?
From my vans the first three water ingress tests I have a check list with the moisture readings noted around the vans test points, somewhere in the region of 45/50 points.
The readings show some 8's, typically 10-12, an odd 14 & 16. These are readings taken in February when humidity levels are at there lowest on a dry garage stored van taken directly from the garage to the dealer for testing.
Colin
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You were wise to walk away.
Bailey's Alutec construction is good at keeping water out from the top but the weak point seems to be the wall to floor joints.
Water creeps into the floor here and doesn't show inside until the problem is quite advanced. You can see the beginning from underneath as you describe Ed.
Sadly I speak from personal experience as I have just collected my Bailey from a week-long warranty repair job.
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It,s worth pointing out that Moisture meters measure conductivity not moisture they are also set to wood dry which if I remember correctly is 12-14% , readings above this could cause wood to eventually rot. In older caravans I think they used to line the back of the wallboards with what looked like silver paper this would always give a high reading. A while ago I was talking to a man that worked for a while in local caravan/motorhome manufacturer he was surprised to see that the wallboards which are fitted with the paper on them extend below the floor level this appears that eventually moisture being picked up whilst driving could wick up into the living area unless there is some sort of vapour barrier. Someone with more knowledge of manufacture might prove me wrong. Remember any salesman will have ltd knowledge of using a DM
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