Thanks again for your input folks! Been to quite a few dealers today looking at some of the afore mentioned vans.
Some you wouldn't even know had ever had any damp issues (I.e. No pimpling of the wallboards, no staining, nor sponginess) - had a chat with the dealer, and he was just being honest as there was a damp reading of 20-25% in a couple of places, so recommended resealing the awning rails and round one of the windows.
There was another one though at another dealer where the whole front of the van was literally crumbling away!!
And at another dealer, there was a nice van which supposedly didn't have any damp, but the rear walls near the roof were stained and the paper was peeling off...
One things for certain - I'll be buying myself a damp meter! If it wasn't for the 1st dealer being honest, you certainly wouldn't have known there was any damp whatsoever!
It is quite a task looking for a secondhand dry caravan.
We too are looking for another van, but most of the general public are totally oblivious to what damp is.
Most think if it cant been seen, then van cant have it.
Even seen one advert that stated proudly that after jetwashing all seals and windows no water had come in so must be dry !!
The search continues.
Regards
We bought a knowingly damp van, Sealed the leak and fitted a few plastic vents. The van did dry out & we used it for a few years ! But beware, eventually the interior began to smell musty/damp. So probably not good for your health !!....A gamble certainly.
Quote: Originally posted by Billy x on 28/8/2015
If the inside looks reasonable then buy cheap and reseal outside, job done. To actually fall apart it would need to be pretty far gone and most caravans are not that. As long as seams are sealed and everywhere else like windows and grab handles then water can't get in so caravan can only become drier and better.
An over-simplistic answer.
This all depends on how the van is constructed. If the internal walls have a plastic (or other impervious) coating, then the damp will stay between the outer and inner and never dry out. However, the wood will continue to rot.
To dry such a van out requires removing the wallboarding to allow the moisture to evaporate either narurally or with a de-humidifier.
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Topic: Damp van - avoid full-stop?
