Just thought I would ask ive just put my caravan to bed for the winter and was thinking to place some salt in a couple of pots one in the bathroom and the other at the front to stop damp. My question is is there anything better out there that I should buy?
If you are using salt or other other substances rather than an electrical dehumidifier, remember to change it with a dry batch regularly otherwise it will not do any good.
I've used the rechargable types (they are only really any good in a confined area such as a wardrobe or locker) and the crystal variety (like this) which is better, but does need emptying and recharging with fresh crystals every couple of weeks (and then leaves you with a plastic tray full of caustic liquid, which could spill if the van is left in storage and has to be moved).
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We use the rechargeable ones - don't know how to quantify if they are working but each week the glass balls turn pink indicating they are wet and we recharge them until they turn blue & dry and replace them. We bought them after one incidence of condensation inside the van covering the ceiling and glass light fittings and its been dry ever since & thats all thats matters to us. We have one on the front drawer, one on the rear shelf and a small silicone tub on top of the oven in the middle (which has remained dry since we added the rechargeable humidifiers).
Air circulates thru the caravan, all you are doing is removing damp from that continually circulating air & leaving it in the caravan in bowls of wet salt or stored in the dehumidifier.
It does seem odd to store the damp in the caravan rather that just to allow it to leave naturally on a continuous basis.
Quote: Originally posted by Tentz on 25/10/2010
Air circulates thru the caravan, all you are doing is removing damp from that continually circulating air & leaving it in the caravan in bowls of wet salt or stored in the dehumidifier.
It does seem odd to store the damp in the caravan rather that just to allow it to leave naturally on a continuous basis.
Maybe on a windy day, but you can get a lot of condensation in them on calm days. I used to have a static and left a few bowls of salt in it for the winter - never had any damp problems
If you are getting condensation in a caravan left unoccupied & unheated over winter there is a reason for it. Either the caravan is leaking or permanent ventilation points are blocked. It is important to remove anything that can hold damp. Upholstery/curtains are ok to leave but certainly remove bedding/towels & any bowls of wet salt.
Thanks for all of the replies there is now damp in my van That im aware of anyway its just when I went and got it from where I keep it some of the coverings on one of the doors looked like it had piled away just got me thinking it can't be good for the van to be sitting about for a number of weeks with nothing like salt in there.
This is an interesting one, I have had to put my van in storage this winter and have removed the cushions, bedding, food etc. On previous years I kept it at my parents and it was plugged in to the heat. I am swithering on the issue if using salt or similar as the van feels so cold. It is a new van,18 months old, so there is no damp that I am aware of, but I am in the west of Scotland and cold and damp is the name of the game here. I think I will leave it for now and visit weekly to keep a check.