Is the thought this spring of opening up your motorhome or caravan filling you with dread? Are you worried that since it has been in storage you open it to see mildew and damp patches and that awful musty smell? I bet you were filled with horror on reading that sentence? This is probably why you are looking at this article with regards to caravan damp proofing or motorhome damp proofing.
These days, most modern motorhomes and caravans are built using materials that will reduce the risk of them getting damp. But there are still hundreds of older style caravans and motorhomes on the roads that were made using wood. It is these types of vehicles that will find that damp can prove a big problem.
Here is our guide to help you avoid damp in your caravan or motorhome. But for older motorhomes, caravans or campervans choosing to install good quality caravan, campervan or motorhome damp proofing system.
But before we offer some tips on how to prevent damp in your vehicle you should learn how to recognise what the signs are, so you can deal with them more effectively and efficiently. This will help to reduce how much any caravan or motorhome repairs costs you could be faced with in the future.
Main Signs Of Damp
- A musty smell when you first enter your vehicle
- You notice black marks around the doors, windows and on the walls
- There is some staining to the walls
- When you touch the walls of your caravan or motorhome they feel soft
- You notice some damp patches on the walls or ceiling
How To Prevent Damp
Here are just a few ways to help you reduce the risk of damp in your motorhome, caravan or campervan. But as already mentioned when it comes to older caravans that were constructed using wood then paying to have good quality caravan damp proofing installed is a good idea.
- Keep Your Vehicle Ventilated
When your caravan, campervan or motorhome isn’t in use then you need to ensure that it remains well ventilated. So you should regularly open all windows and doors to allow air to circulate throughout it.
- Invest In A Dehumidifier
After any trip in your vehicle, you may want to think about using a dehumidifier to help remove any excess moisture from inside it. If you are going to be putting your vehicle into storage for any period of time don’t use it then, as it will remove any air from inside that would normally go outside.
- Avoid Letting Steam From Shower Into Rest Of Vehicle
Whenever you take a shower make sure that the door stays shut to prevent steam from it being able to get into the rest of your motorhome, campervan or caravan. Also, make sure to turn on or open the ventilation in this room as soon as you’ve finished having a shower and also give all the walls a quick wipe down.
- Never Dry Laundry Inside
Wet laundry can cause a great deal of condensation inside your vehicle. Always leave your laundry to dry outside if you can. Plus if you are staying on any official sites that have laundrette facilities use these.
- Check Your Vehicle For Any Leaks
Any leaks to the mainframe joints of your caravan, motorhome or campervan can lead to irreparable damage to your vehicle. So make sure that you spend time checking the joints regularly for any damage.
Another area you need to keep checking regularly is the window seal. Over time these can rot and come away from the adhesive. The majority of leaks that occur in motorhomes and caravans tend to be around the windows. Initially applying some sealant around windows that are leaking can help to resolve this problem. But you will need to arrange to have more professional motorhome repairs carried out to them.
- Take Care When Storing Your Vehicle For Winter
If you can spend money on a good waterproof cover that is also breathable and covers your entire vehicle. By spending money on such could save you a lot of money and heartache in the future. Also make sure that you remove all mattresses and cushions from your vehicle, and leave all cupboard doors open.
This would also be a good time to think about employing the services of a reliable motorhome repairs service to install good caravan damp proofing or campervan damp proofing in your vehicle if needed.
Hopefully, the advice we have provided above will help to ensure that the risk of you discovering damp in your motorhome, caravan or campervan is reduced. If you would like to find out more about caravan damp proofing or motorhome damp proofing services then please give us a call here at Motorhome Body Repairs a call on 01302 711337. Alternatively, send us an email to info@motorhomebodyrepairs.co.uk or by completing our online enquiry form.
