Hi,
There's a lot of good advice here about taking a damp meter when viewing a used caravan. However I can't find advice about what actual readings to expect. Does it have to show zero to mean there is no dampness? Surely a plastic and wood structure like a 'van, parked outdoors in January will have some background moisture content?
The concrete slabs at my back door, under a carport roof are showing 18%. I looked at a '97 Swift Challenger 520SE yesterday and the carpet was showing 16% moisture content. I assumed this was OK but the carpet in my own living room shows 0-2%. Gyproc walls showing 8%. Should the 16% reading in the Swift be a worry?
My B & Q bog standard one works well. Usually no ticking but on a cold surface in winter on a damp day it may sometimes "tick" slowly. What you need to worry about is when it starts to scream its head off.
The one the dealers use is more sophisticated but mine is fine to keep an eye on the 'van and check out a potential new one.
I recently had my brand new Sterling back at the dealers for some warranty work and I was worried I might have a leak as found moisture on the bathroom roof. Turned out to be condensation, probably due to a meal fixing plate in the roof. I was there when they tested for damp and the engineer said any reading under 20 was fine, where the condensation was it gave a reading of 16. Just a little insight.
Quote: Originally posted by wwwullie on 23/1/2012
Thanks,
Just the info I was after. Seems this van is borderline.
W
Carpet's probably one of the worst places to check for damp (floors in general can be covered up in many ways if they are damp, & a carpet will soak up moisture even if the 'van is bone dry).
Damp tests are usually done on walls & close to windows & roof lights, aren't they? (I'm guessing here, as I've never actually performed a damp test).
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Topic: Damp Meter Readings. Values?
