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Discovered a few weeks back that I have some damp on a side panel by the window at the front. I stripped off the wall covering to see the extent of the trouble. I have been back recently to see how much it has dried out and it has totally (checked with a damp meter ) It appears ok appart from a layer of the top wood that is flaking off in places. I have read a lot of the posts on this site but dont like the sound of the idea abaout replacing panels. If this has totally dried out is it ok to recover the panel and off course find the point of the leak and seal this. I have had the caravan 3 years and when I bought it the dealer resealed the awning rail and the status arial but will looking to check this apply a sealant. Also does anyone no anyway that sells the wall covering I am in Essex . Thanks and all advice greatfully appreciated.

I am new to this damp game and I am sure the other 'experts' will have more advice to give. I have just stripped of a section of wallboard on my 6 year old van. I thought that it 'wouldn't be too bad' as the wallpaper was still intact and it was 'just a little spongy in one or two places' and a . How wrong I was.

I found that the wooden rails where the water had got in were completely rotten and peeled away layer by layer (plywood), or flaked away, until I found solid wood again. The problem you have is that the environment behind the 'wallpaper' is perfect for encouraging damp to fester once water has gotten in. If you are resonably competent with tools, then it isn't difficult too replace damaged panels, and there is a heap of help and advice available here.

I guess you have to figure whether or not the effort is worth it to you against the price of your van and if you are thinking of reselling at some point. Personally, when I found my damp, I removed every trace of it that I could and replaced/repaired  anything that was damaged. You might find like me that the wooden rails where the awning rail attaches, or the window surrounds are rotting. I didn't want my awning rail pulling away as it had nothing to attach to any more.

Until you remove what is covering the damp, you won't know for certain. I guess you could gamble that 'it was OK last year' so the damage below the wallboard should be minimal and drying it out is enough'.  It is a tough choice.

You will most likely need to source the wallboard already covered, which you can get from many sources (see the other listings). I personally haven't found anywhere that supplies just the wall covering for caravans. It is like a toughened vinyl paper which you can't buy in ordinary stores, but someone must make it. If I find it, I will let people know.

Hope my thoughts on your problem help. Regards, Kevin.

Hello Rob, don't know what van you have or where you got it but I would have thought somewhere like Caravan World would be able to obtain what your looking for.

http://homepage.virgin.net/caravan.world/

Hi fitou. The damp is it under the window? If so then it could be that the window needs to be resealed. There are a few repair sites that people have done, if you click on the link below you`ll get some of them on my site. Best site for resealing windows would be Al Parker`s. As for the plywood if it is stsrting to flak then I would really recommend that this is replaced. O`learys motorhomes and the caravan centre are a couple of places that you may find replacement boards. Hope this helps a wee bit. Wizard and the rest of `The Fix It Club` will be along soon to give you some advice. Any problems then give us a shout as they is always someone here to help. That`s one of the best things about this site.