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Topic: Signs of damp?

Nikki1171

01/10/2016 at 7:01pm
Location: Durham
Outfit: Compass Vantage 554 Kia Sorrento

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Hi. After some advice on damp please? If you had 35-40% damp would you expect to be able to either see it or feel it inside the van - so spongey panels or black marks? Or could it be totally invisible? Thanks!

Grandad Kenny

01/10/2016 at 10:02pm
Location: Essex
Outfit: Fiat Ducato 3.0 Autotrail Mohican

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My recently new caravan had a damp reading of 40% above the corner of the front window, no physical signs at all. It's now in the workshop having the front rail bar removed and resealed under warranty.

chrisn7

03/10/2016 at 11:50pm
Location: West Yorkshire
Outfit: Bessacarr Cameo 625 2011

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Its time related: no obvious sign at first, but eventually softness, rot, mustiness, mould maybe. Needs attention asap

Nikki1171

04/10/2016 at 7:45am
Location: Durham
Outfit: Compass Vantage 554 Kia Sorrento

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Thanks for your replies. We had our caravan serviced at a new dealer this year and they flagged up 35-40% damp on 2 panels. We were surprised because we had seen no sign of damp, the caravan is stored undercover and no damp was picked up the previous year. We are in our final year of a 6 year warranty so took it to a manufacturer approved dealer and they checked and said they are picking up nothing!! Leaves us in a position if not knowing who to trust! The only thing we can think to do is to get our own damp meter and check it out ourselves - although we've never used one!! Any thoughts??

Greg M

04/10/2016 at 8:41am
Location: South Wales
Outfit: Elddis Majestic 155

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Hi Nikki,
Well you can get a good damp meter for around £20 and there are numerous posts on youtube how to use them.
I believe you can also download the inspection checklist of where to use them.
If you feel they are being less than honest I would get one.
Just remember not to go mad as they can leave marks where you use them.
Regards,
Greg

-------------
Growing old is not for sissies

Grandad Kenny

04/10/2016 at 8:50am
Location: Essex
Outfit: Fiat Ducato 3.0 Autotrail Mohican

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Nikki, follow Gregs advice. You have a company who pick up damp and therefore maybe thought they would get some follow on work, and a company who say there is none because it is work they would have to do at no cost to you. A damp meter is very easy to use, switch it on and push the two very small prongs into the panel, hey presto a reading or not, well worth the money if only for peace of mind, and evidence of course!

Nikki1171

04/10/2016 at 9:31am
Location: Durham
Outfit: Compass Vantage 554 Kia Sorrento

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Thanks. I'll head to B&Q at the weekend and pick one up as it's the only way I'll be reassured!

chrisn7

04/10/2016 at 9:59pm
Location: West Yorkshire
Outfit: Bessacarr Cameo 625 2011

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Damp meters are very easy to use. I believe that 4 prong meters are better than 2 prong (don't know why though). I use mine every time I visit the van. Can't say I've seen them at B&Q, though are plenty on ebay. I have one of these-the HOLD function useful when checking hard to reach areas:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-LCD-Damp-Moisture-Meter-Detector-Tester-Wood-Timber-Plaster-Sensor-/361578328525?hash=item542fbf71cd:g:zSUAAOSwdj9XTv7P

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