We purchased a 1990 Abi Award Nightstar caravan knowing it needed tlc but not quite how much. We got it back to storage and found extensive damp in rear panel and all along side panel where door, kitchen and front seating is to the extent that the fixings for the seating and the kitchen are pulling away from the side panelliing due to rotting timbers. The front is also extensively damp. We spent £400 on this caravan and now are in the position of either repairing it ourselves (if possible) or scrapping it and saying goodbye to our dream of caravanning. Does anyone have any idea of whether this repair is possible or whether it is just to much for a diyer to do.
Looks like a case of have a go or loose it anyway, so what's the harm in having a go. I'm in the middle of a repair and did intend for my husband to do it as I've never done any DIY, but so far I've actually done most of it.
Do a search on this section of the forum with the title "damp" and you'll find lots of helpful advice. Also check out the fix-it-club in the red bit at the top of this sections page and especially look at wizards site. Keep us posted and ask questions as you go along. Make sure you take loads of pics so you know where everything went and so if you get stuck you can post them and ask for advice.
Might be an idea to cover it up to stop it getting worse, and to start drying it out.
As Franny says, take lots of photos - they will help you put it back together.
The expensive bits of the 'van are the furniture, fixtures and equipment inside and the chassis, outer skin, windows, rails and hatches outside. All of these are probably in good condition. The stuff you have a problem with is cheap wooden framework (often 25 x 32mm easy to cut) and wallboard (3.5mm ply, can be cut with a stanley knife)and some sealant. The rot is usually caused by leaking awning rails, window frames and exterior panel joining strips etc.
Cover it up, strip out the interior, make patterns of the bits that need replacing (sometimes you will only have a shadow of a piece of framework and some dust - so trace around the shadow!). Replace the rotten bits, let the damp bits dry out, reseal the exterior (it should be obvious where it has leaked, due to damp or rotten framework). Replace the damaged wallboard, refit the interior. Job done.
It will take a long time (that's why dealers charge a fortune - due to labour costs) but you can do it!
It will look a horrible mess when you start stripping out the rotten bits, but once its cleaned up, dried out and you start replacing the rotten stuff, you will feel really good about it. When its done you will have a solid 'van that you know inside out. You could have spent a lot more money on a newer 'van and have the same problem.
Thanks for all your advice I think from the sounds of it we will need to find somewhere undercover with electric to keep it whilst we are doing the work as we can't bring it back home. Will keep you all posted.
Sorry just one further question from hubby. The insides of that side of the van seem as though they have moved away from the wall as all got a gap between the wall board and some screws are out. Will all this pull back into line when the new timber is in and as its the whole side would it be better to do a section at a time i.e. the front where the seating is, then the kitchen, then the door area, then the rear or strip the whole lot out in one go.
Yes it will pull back in once you fix them items to your new timber work.
I think a bit of both when it comes to doing it in sections, maybe remove part of the paneling, fit new timber struts/battens, work your way along the van, the struts is would hold it up and together I would think and then fit the wall boards in one go.
This is only opinion, maybe someone who has done this before can confirm.
One area at a time will keep the structure in shape better. Without furniture and framework you have a very wobbly box, so repairing one section at a time will prevent a situation where the walls are bowing out under the unsupported weight of the roof.
Once the framework is replaced you have something solid to connect the interior to, so it should all line up again.
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Topic: MAJOR DAMP
