I use a cover, and also open the door when it's a fine dry day to air the inside. I l;eave the cushions/seats standing on end and all the locker dorrs, wardrobe door and fridge door open. Don't worry, as soon as spring comes, the fresh air and sunshine will help!
my missus always has butter tubs with salt in the bottom in the fridge, bathroom, and lounge area.
you will be surprised how much moisture they pick up.
she re-fills them at regular intervals.
no damp smells in our caravan.
+ get away for a day or two in the new year it will air the caravan for you.
Another vote for the salt trays here to, only we use cat litter trays, the greater the surface area of the salt, the better they work, and its possible to 'recharge' the salt by bringing it indoors and drying it out in a warm room, before recrumbling and putting the trays back inside your caravan.
We have got three in there at the moment, one in the bathroom and two in the lounge and kitchen, a total of around 3kg of salt in all.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Hate to rain on your parade but I guess that whatever you try if its going to get damp it will. It can be the smallest of gaps where the screws attach the awning rail to the van which can be your biggest danger where water just drips in over a long period
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
We have ours in our yard area with the hook up on all the time. We use a small oil heater set to the anti frost setting. Used this method for years and years, cost to run is negligible and keeps the air from getting damp.
The only way to stop damp is to ensure there is no water ingress i.e. all seals do what they should.(or a good fit cover) Crystals,salt,cat litter etc can only soak up damp air already in the van but I am not convinced of there use.
Heater will in my view add to the problem by creating condensation. Especially an oil heater.
We have never used any of these tricks. We simply sht windows & doors after removing bedding etc and opening it up for an airing on nice days.
Try turning the heating off in your house all winter and watch the paint drop off the ceilings and the wall paper come down.
Thats my opinion and i have never had any problems whatsoever apart from one year without heating and some doors warped and mold started to appear even though all surface had been disenfected. Brand new van !
To millermicm, I think when and1145 said that they had EHU and used an Oil Heater, they meant an oil filled radiator.
I doubt if anyone would use an actual oil heater in a van that wasn't occupied.
Personally I keep my van in a shed and firstly dry it out with a dehumidifier, then run an oil filled radiator on a low setting.
When you go into a Barn, usually completely open on at least two sides, you will find it almost completely dry.
If it works for hay, then it will work for a van.
Dry on top and well ventilated.
Just bought a second hand Swift Challenger (its been 17 years since we last had a caravan) and am somewhat confused by the winter advice. I have looked on the Swift website and they quote the following regarding winterisation (I posted something similar on another thread):
"Placing water absorbent crystals in the van during the winter months, will help reduce moisture levels and mould growth."
Who knows whats best
------------- Greenhill Leisure Park, Oxon - Apr 2016
Gunvenna, St Minver, Cornwall - July 2016
Lincoln Farm, Standlake, Oxon - Sept 2016
Different people have different ideas about how to best deal with damp or preventing it.
Damp can be caused by a number of issues from leaking seals to condensation and cooking.
With our new to us but 17 year old van which was damp, I have resealed the outside seams and am, at present, running a dehumidifier in it to get rid of the dampness.
Now whether that damp came from outside in or from interior condensation, I have no idea.
All I can do it make sure it is as dry as I can get it and then protect it from further damp by making sure it remains slightly warmed but well ventilated for the winter.
Once I know the van is dry, I will put some crystals into it but more to see if they do collect ant moisture in the long term. If they do then I will again run the dehumidifier. Crystals don't cost anything to run but they are a good indicator for showing up continued damp problems.
We bought some damp absorbers from ASDA from the cheapo section for £1 each and put two of them in our van,the only reason we did it was we were told they are effective at keeping the moisture out of the air.We'll just have to wait and see if they are as good as we were led to believe.
------------- If the moon reflects the suns light,why does it not reflect the suns heat?
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: ideas to prevent damp
