Message Forums

Well we've been checking the new van all morning and we've found more damp than what we expected.  We took it to be tested for damp yesterday and the guy in the workshop thought that if we resealed all the rails then the damp inside was minimal and he said if we dryed it out then we might be ok as it is early stages.  We have now tested the back end and I have found, I think you call them soft spots, this is were the prongs for the tester have gone through the wall easily.  I'm confused as even though the prongs went through there is no reading on the damp meter.  Husband is a good diyer and is happy to join the fix it club but as its his first van is obviously a bit worried he's gonna go wrong.  We've read Al Parkers and Wizards sites and are happy to tackle this but I'm just concerned we may be making ourselves more work than what we really need to do.

http://caravanfixer.piczo.com here is a piccy of what we have discovered.

Doesn't seem to big a job to handle if your oh is confident in doing it it will certainly be cheaper that getting it done professionaly. If the guy said it may be ok then it might be.

Good luck in what ever decision you make

Hi G&T

you can do it , its really that simple  if its soft and spongy then its got too come out. if you have any problems or need advice then remember this, email any of the fixed it club , all our links are on each others websites and any of us are here too help you.  the more pics you can send the beter our adice will be .

welcome to the I fixed it club.

Hi Ginandtonic , welcome to the I fixed it club , we'll be here to advise you when you need us , from the looks of your picture the wall board needs replacing rather than drying out , as well as using the damp meter use your fingers , give all areas a good prod , if you feel softness it needs looking at .

atb

Wizard 

Get on with it!...just be patient and thorough and you'll be chuffed to bits with yourself when you complete the repair...

The Fixed it Club on here are superb too and are always at hand to give you pointers.

Oh thats one nasty weapon there lol

The guys and gals in the fixt it club will help you out, but not with that big knife there lol.

Hi good luck on your repair work my husband and i are still doing our we had the whole front end to be removed and some off the floor as we had a hole in it i have been treating all the wood so the wood is nearly ready to be put back in.

cazanne

Quote: Originally posted by cazanne on 18/9/2006

---

Hi good luck on your repair work my husband and i are still doing our we had the whole front end to be removed and some off the floor as we had a hole in it i have been treating all the wood so the wood is nearly ready to be put back in.

cazanne

---

At least at the end of the day you will know your van inside and out lol.

Good luck with the wood Cazanne.

HI ginandtonnic

you only need to take out that bad framework , the stuff thats rotten if its damp dry it out and splice new wood to the areas thats rotted. you caan then paint the old wood aith a good quality wood hardener.

Thanks big Chris we sure do feel like that!

cazanne

yes you sure do feel good when its all done  many folk have visited our caravan since its renovation and many compliments given on the work.

BTW Chris how is your caravan , have you fixed it yet lol.