Long shot, I know, but last weekend, at Conifer Lake, I bumped in a very nice chap who just so happened to be gutted that his new-to-him 'van had sprung a leak, despite his pre-purchase checks offering no hints of leaks or damp.
Turned out the seller jet/power washed it before our friend picked it up, and after the rain got in on his first night away, his immediate thought was that jet/power washing a caravan is a big no-no, as it may force sealant to be dislodged and/or penetrated! He also feared the worst, with regards to the cost of getting it put right!
Now obviously, being a tenterist, I know absolutely nothing about caravans, but was just wondering if our unlucky friend was a member on here, and was hoping he'd come on and tell us there's a happy ending.
He was gutted, to be fair... and I can appreciate why!
All dealers jet wash caravans, its ok provided you keep nozzle away from seams. Caravans don't suddenly 'spring leaks', the sealant deteriorates & water gradually gets into the structure, so I doubt the 2 events were connected.
The caravan could have been stored under cover, this could explain why it leaked on its first outing.
I know someone who used a industrial power washer on the roof of his caravan and when it dried, it dried matt white.
The power washer brought the gloss surface off the paint
Quote: Originally posted by Jack+Jon on 30/1/2014
All dealers jet wash caravans, its ok provided you keep nozzle away from seams.
I got the impression THAT was what he was concerned about. He seemed to think the water was getting in on or around the runner thing that you guys attach the more reliable canvas sections too. Awnings are they? (This is the bit where I snigger.... forgive me!!) (And don my tin hat, of course!)
Seriously though, I've pretty much told you all I know. I've no idea about how it was stored. All I know is he said he tested for leaks and damp, and when the results were positive, he agreed to buy.... although it was rather dirty on the outside (so I guess not under cover??).
I don't think he panicked when he turned up to take it away, and saw she had cleaned it..... his concerns re power washing was only after the leak was discovered, and he made a call to a friend..... who advised him about the no-no bit!
Anyway, like I say, I hope all ended well for him. He seemed to be having a lot s**ttier weekend than we were, that's for sure! (He was wrapping up ready for an early departure when I spoke to him).
Felt sick for him, in all honesty!
When a jet wash is used to wash anything care is required, for example when washing a car you don't put the nozzle close to the badges or you risk blasting them off. Using the wrong type of chemical in an industrial washer can indeed dull paintwork on a caravan but other chemicals can restore the gloss.
If you did blast a jet wash nozzle right into an awning rail it would not cause sound sealant to suddenly dissappear & water to pour into the inside, what it would do is make failing sealant worse & force more water into the structure that would eventually manifest itself as an interior leak.
Its incorrect to suggest that a jet wash should never be used to wash caravans, there are all sorts of different types of jet wash as well, from 50 quid bargains at Aldi to those costing £1000s. Industrial types will dispense cleaning chemical at low pressure & wash off at high pressure, at all times one must assume operator will use the equipment sensibly.
No idea about the caravan in question but using a jet wash on a sound caravan would not immediately cause a leak as described but obviously bad practise to blast seams at close range.
I was gutted initially when my new-to-me caravan sprung a leak or ten! It had been kept in a garage, and no wonder. As it was a private sold-as-seen sale, no refunds either, so I kept it.
After a long battle with the ever-surfacing leaks, lots of sealants, lots of curses, it's now quite dry!
i would never let anyone with a jet washer near it! It could be though, in the case of your friend, Mucker, that the jet wash just forced a bit of water in through the window seals, or door seals, something like that. It could also be that the jolts and bumps of towing it somewhere could have just unsettled some of the seals... and it could also be that it was either garaged or covered so that it would appear dry on any pre-purchase checks, as mine did.
I hope he comes on and lets us all know. I remember that gutted feeling.
Im never a fan of jet washers when it comes to cars and caravans, and much prefare a specialist caravan brush and a bucket of water with a few drops of Fenwicks Bobby Dazler in it.
For convienience, l used to use one of those car 'handwash' drive through services, but after a remark by a dealer when l went for a trade in price regards the dullness of my cars paintwork, along with a few suspicious scratches which my have been caused by the staff wearing sharp rings, l wont be taking my new car through one ever again.
Pressure washers are ok for things like garden paths and for blasting the moss off Block paved drives, but they are far to abrasive in effect to be used on any painted surface including that on cars and caravans.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
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Topic: Was it you?....
