Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Repairs, Servicing and Maintenance
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Age old damp meter question Post Reply Post New Topic
10/4/2010 at 10:08am
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Surfer01's Profile View Profile   Reply to Surfer01 Reply   Quote Surfer01 Quote  
Joined: 30/6/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2451

Site Reviews Total: 7
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Friends of ours bought a cheapy meter I think from B & Q to check for damp in a potential purchase however I am told that the probes look like second hand nails! They have been playing with it but are having second thoughts as it does not seem to work properly sometimes on tests so they are thinking of getting a better one but not overly expensive.

Is there a damp meter that has pin like probes that will not leave marks all over a potential purchase just in case they decide they do not want to go ahead with the purchase. They don't want the owner shouting damage etc and using it as leverage to get them to buy something they don't want. I have looked on Screwfix but they don't seem to do them anymore. Thanks.


10/4/2010 at 8:39pm
 Location: somewhere.
 Outfit: Swift Corniche 15 4
View Chowey007's Profile View Profile   Reply to Chowey007 Reply   Quote Chowey007 Quote  
Joined: 01/2/2008

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   328

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I looked for one on screwfix myself the other day and found the same thing.

If its a meter with just lights as the readings then I don't think they are very accurate. An article I read said they offered one up to a sodden fence post and it gave an acceptable reading!

The best ones, unortunately are expensive, but look at it as an investment.

You can get damp meters that do not have probes, as when our house flodded and it was checked for drying out, the drying firm had one that they just rested against the plaster....wonder if it would be ok to use in a caravan. Don't see why not?



-------------


11/4/2010 at 7:03am
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Surfer01's Profile View Profile   Reply to Surfer01 Reply   Quote Surfer01 Quote  
Joined: 30/6/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2451

Site Reviews Total: 7
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I will tell them to spend a bit extra and buy one of those Protimeters as they seem to be the best.


11/4/2010 at 8:00am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Burstner
View ubuntu1's Profile View Profile   Reply to ubuntu1 Reply   Quote ubuntu1 Quote  
Joined: 05/7/2009

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   48

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

My advice would be to tell your friend to ask an engineer to do a pre purchase inspection on his proposed purchase. You will get a damp report and a whole lot more for less than the cost of a proper damp meter. The MCEA has engineers all over the country that can carry out a PPI.mcea engineers


11/4/2010 at 8:14am
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Surfer01's Profile View Profile   Reply to Surfer01 Reply   Quote Surfer01 Quote  
Joined: 30/6/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2451

Site Reviews Total: 7
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Quote: Originally posted by ubuntu1 on 11/4/2010
My advice would be to tell your friend to ask an engineer to do a pre purchase inspection on his proposed purchase. You will get a damp report and a whole lot more for less than the cost of a proper damp meter. The MCEA has engineers all over the country that can carry out a PPI.mcea engineers

The problem it is difficult to get an engineer out to the potential purchase as and when they are viewing it plus the additional cost of travelling expenses for the engineer.


Advertisement



11/4/2010 at 12:51pm
 Location: Bristol
 Outfit: Lunar Conquest 544 a
View wizard9956's Profile View Profile   Reply to wizard9956 Reply   Quote wizard9956 Quote  
Joined: 25/9/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   7531

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Hi Surfer01 , yep a Protimeter is the better damp meter to go for , see here http://www.1carpc.co.uk/wcdr/checking-for-damp.htm

atb

Wizard



11/4/2010 at 1:45pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View Dave101's Profile View Profile   Reply to Dave101 Reply   Quote Dave101 Quote  
Joined: 18/2/2008

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   244

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Quote: Originally posted by Surfer01 on 11/4/2010The problem it is difficult to get an engineer out to the potential purchase as and when they are viewing it plus the additional cost of travelling expenses for the engineer.


We've been offering this service for several years, and up to date we've not had a single request. All that we get is disgruntled buyers ringing us after they've bought to come and check out their Damp Problem on the second hand van that they've just bought. What makes it worse is that when we tell them how much a repair would be, that they then talk to us as if it were our fault.

We only charge an hours labour for this service, bub most people obviously don't want to pay it. But they'll quite happily hand-over several thousand pounds to a dealer though.

All that said, a damp meter that's worth its salt is a
Protimeter which aren't cheap, but then again, neither is a damp repair.

-------------
We have Approved Mobile Workshop Status



11/4/2010 at 5:58pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Burstner
View ubuntu1's Profile View Profile   Reply to ubuntu1 Reply   Quote ubuntu1 Quote  
Joined: 05/7/2009

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   48

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I agree Dave101, I do the same. One hours cost to check out a van can save you a fortune. I do a lot of pre purchase checks on motorhomes and next to none on caravans. Its worth every penny in my book.

The engineer doesn't have to be there at the same time as the buyer. You can agree to purchase depending upon a satisfactory inspection by an engineer. The engineer can then attend at a suitable time. I've done these checks for customers that I have never met!!


11/4/2010 at 6:12pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View Surfer01's Profile View Profile   Reply to Surfer01 Reply   Quote Surfer01 Quote  
Joined: 30/6/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   2451

Site Reviews Total: 7
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

So are either of you are saying that if I live in Worcester and want to view a caravan in Cheshire you would only charge an hour's labour? Not being sarcastic, genuine interest.
I would rather pay someone for check a caravan but the problem comes if you view and have 3 or 4 caravans checked and all have damp that is 1 hour's labour x 4 which equals probably about £200! Protimeter costs £209!
A numbers game it seems. What hsppens if a purchase goes ahead and for some reason damp appears 2 or 3 months down the line and you have bought a caravan based on an engineer's report?


11/4/2010 at 8:05pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View sbsuk's Profile View Profile   Reply to sbsuk Reply   Quote sbsuk Quote  
Joined: 06/11/2007

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   334

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

There's a couple of older model Protimeters on e-Bay at the moment. I paid aroung £45 inc P&P last year.

Mike


Advertisement



11/4/2010 at 8:24pm
 Location: Bristol
 Outfit: Lunar Conquest 544 a
View wizard9956's Profile View Profile   Reply to wizard9956 Reply   Quote wizard9956 Quote  
Joined: 25/9/2004

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   7531

Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Here's one click_here

atb

Wizard




In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Repairs, Servicing and Maintenance - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














6125 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder