We have a 2018 Coachman Wanderer and I suspect we have damp under the offside window .I have bought a damp meter and taken some readings .The damp meter has 4 mode settings ;wall, masonry,soft wood and hard wood.
I assume I should use either the soft or hard wood mode and the readings I got were 10% and 6.3% respectively .I took the readings today when it was warm and sunny outside.
I would welcome any advice as to whether I should use the 'wood" readings and whether the 10% reading is a cause for concern .
Any advice/comments greatly appreciated .
Many thanks.
10% reading is fine, but depends on how you have done it, if you have only touched the wall covering and took a reading then its wrong, you need to push the prongs after sharpening them up thr the wall covering into the wood under it, best done just under the rubber seals around the windows so you dont see any holes
Just about all the wood in a caravan is of the' soft' variety, mainly because it's cheaper and lighter.
Unfortunately, there are loads of articles on this and other forums regarding damp in every conceivable part of a caravan, thy a 'search' for front window damp.
Dave.
------------- Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day,
Teach a man to fish and you can get rid of him for a whole weekend.
The figure used by service engineers on NCC advice are as follows:
Guidance Notes, AWS Tourer Damp Report.
* Moisture levels between 0 and 15% - No cause for concern
* Moisture levels between 15 and 20% - May require further investigation. Compare with average readings and consider a recheck of the area in three months
* Moisture levels between 20 and 25% - Will identify areas possibly needing remedial work. There may be signs of water ingress or evidence of moisture. Compare with average readings and consider a recheck of the area in three months
* Moisture levels between 25 and 30% - indicates that moisture ingress is occurring, and remedial action is necessary
* Moisture levels more than 30% - Indicates that structural damage is probable and deterioration inevitable. Remedial action is necessary
The pin type testers are rather old hat and I believe not even usable on some caravan constructions! Non-penetrative (pinless) testers are best, for both compatibility and not leaving damaging unsightly holes! Readings vary between meters, so more looking for the region the reading is in rather than specific numbers. The professional meters service engineers use cost £hundreds and get regularly calibrated!
The softwood setting would likely be the most suitably on your meter.