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I see lots of stuff on this site about damp in vans and lots of obviously very able people doing the businesses and fixing it. 

Just bought my first ever caravan, a 1986 Ace Pioneer and I thought I had done well but it seems I may have bought a duffer

I knew there was a damp spot under the front window when I bought the van but initially it did not look too bad.  It looked like the window seal had been leaking and the corner of the window seal filled up with water and dripped onto the shelve under the window.

Did not think it was too serious so bought the van and got it home.

Its home now and I am doing a few jobs and finding out how it all works. 

So I decide to take off the strip of wood the holds the bottom curtain rail so I can get to the damp spot on the window shelve.

Oh dear the damp is far more extensive then I looked and the more I look the more I find. 

It seems to have gone at least half way across the bottom window frame (from the main upright), the right hand side of the window frame no longer seems to exist, and I can see the right hand side main upright under the seat is wet and black.

There is no damp in any of the panelling though!!

The shelve unit thingy (hold a couple of cubby holes and part of the bed) apart from on e damp spot on top about the size of an apple feels structurally sound

Now what should I do?

If I attempt to fix it and I am not the worlds best diy man I am very worried about what I might find when I start (and will I ever finish).

I could take it in somewhere but it could cost more to repair than I paid for the van. 

Best person to ask would be Als.

Hopefully he will respond to you later but have a look at his website to see the repairs he has made to his van.  http://www.alanparkers.dsl.pipex.com/

Hi Steve, & Welcome to UKCS (the madhouse)

I really feel for you, we went to look at a lovely caravan on Sunday, & it was bone dry everywhere, apart from the front nearside, & the front panel, & it was spreading. I walked away from it, I was told that the last place for damp to appear is on the inside, so imagine what the underside of the panel would be like.

I really hope you get it sorted without it costing an arm & a leg.

Like Al says Big Al should be able to advise you, as well as a few others on here who are rennovating at the moment.

Good Luck & keep us posted.

dirty word with me at the moment!!

DAMP!!! 

found more in her loo bit :O(  patch her up see what happens :O)

good luck with your job steve!!

when i saw your name on this post Julie i panicked a bit i thought u know??? u had u know??? the D word :O(

thank god :O)

Naomi :O)

HI Steve

and welcome to the website thats full of fun and advice.

If you look at my website and follow the caravan renovations  then follow phase two , you will see the exact same problem as your having and how to repair it.

It really isn't rocket science, its a case of getting the correct size timber ( usually 3/4 block planed  and a box of screws and a very good glue like no nails. and off you go.

any way have a good read of my site and have a go yourself, you will feel so proud of yourself when its done.

Steve

Your not alone mate. I went caravaning as a kid but only in larger statics, I decided to get my first van last year. I viewed one or 2 vans before I took the leap and they seemed off white and misty windowed at first glance so when I came to the third I was a little bit tired of viewing and wanted to spend the dosh that was burning my pocket. I came across an old 2 birth with a modern look <not sloped> Compass Commodore 400 Special Edition. It belonged to a lady who had lost her husband and basically it came with everything but the lady or myself didnt quite know what everything was.

I paid her the asking price of 800 and trundled home, its sods law that at home you move those cushions at the end and notice the bad news.

Last year I didnt worry about it and just pulled out the dead wood and packed some more styrene into the gaps, made sure it was holding at the front and went on holiday to France.  Id like to say Ive sorted it for this season but as yet Ive not done much more than clean up again and replace the white panels with some white sided B+Q hardboard. Ive also sealed the outside with some sealent again from DIY shop.

When I get back from this weekends trip and the sun starts to shine on weekends then Im planning on tackling it correctly. 

Hi, we must be on a roll here.

We also got one last year and now we have discovered a softish patch front right corner.

Being a non diyer i will leave it to the missus to try and fix it.

Question..when you peel back the damage is the point of entry for water/damp obvious????

When I find damp in mine the first people I will be flying over here will be the awesome twosome.

A & A Parker repairs, you can find them here best of luck with all your DIY's.