Checking For Damp In Used Caravans

by

Harrie

One of the most important tests that you can complete on a used caravan that you are interested in buying is for damp (or water ingress if you want to get technical). This is because damp is a caravan owner s worst nightmare it can be repairable but, in many cases, it isn t or just isn t worth the time and money it would need. By ensuring that a used caravan is damp free before you buy it, you could be saving yourself from a lot of problems in the future.

There are a number of reasons that damp could form in your used caravan, including:

Owners neglecting to drain the water out of the boiler when putting the caravan into storage over winter. The pipes will expand due to cold and frost and this can cause them to split, allowing any water to leak out.

Faulty seals around the windows and roof, which allows water to seep into the van when it rains.

Cracks in the bottom of the shower or gaps around the basins, shower and toilet. This will allow water from the facilities themselves to soak into the caravan s walls and floor.

Unfortunately, damp can occur anywhere in a used caravan, so it is important to ensure that you check absolutely everywhere. A smell of a wet towel that has been left for a while is usually a good indicator that damp is present, but many sellers will air the van out prior to an inspection, so you cannot rely on scent alone. Look for lumps, bumps, stains and mold on the various wall panels, as well as for discolouration on panels around windows, sinks and taps. A springy or spongy floor is also a good indicator of damp in a used caravan.

If you are able to buy or borrow a damp tester, this will be your best bet of ensuring that the caravan you are looking at is definitely free of damp. You will find these devices at most caravan and camping supply stores, and they really are invaluable when it comes to buying a used caravan.

Another way to spot possible problems with damp in a used caravan is to check it over for new or mismatched wallpaper, paint, linoleum and carpet. Quite often, this is a good indicator that a dodgy repair or cover up job has taken place. If a caravan damp repair is not undertaken by the proper professional, the damp will return.

Not only will damp problems eventually ruin your used caravan, it can pose significant health risks, especially for people who have skin allergies, asthma and arthritis due to the germs and bacteria living in the mold. Even though damp can be repaired, it is rarely ever worth it.

This helpful Article is related to

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shared by Harrie on the behalf of Supreme Caravan Melbourne. This company offer in

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and also offer

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Making the Right Choice from Awnings for Sale

by

Homestead Caravans

Caravans are sensitive beasts – and so are the accoutrements that can be used to expand their liveable areas. Caravan awnings, in particular, offer excellent opportunities for doubling the usable space of a van – but with an equally huge potential for disaster. Caravan awnings for sale, then, should be inspected thoroughly and with a little expert knowledge before money is shelled out.

When looking at caravan awnings for sale, the first thing to consider (it sounds obvious, but the number of people that come a cropper over this hurdle is terrifying) is whether the awning in question fits one’s caravan. Caravans come in all sorts of fiddly sizes, from pea-sized little, two-person getaways to monstrous twin-axled beasts practically the size of a small static. To make matters worse, not all caravans have awning fixtures in the same place: most vans are designed to hold an awning stretching all the way along the side of their shell, but some have slightly smaller awning areas or even front-loading ones. Awnings for sale, then, should be inspected closely to ensure they match the fixtures on the van one it’s planning to extend. The second thing a person inspecting caravan awnings for sale needs to be aware of (again, obvious enough but still a tripper-up of many) is the quality of the fabric the awning is made from. Is it waterproof? How thick is it? Awnings can be bought in any combination of materials, from tent vinyl through to fully treated canvas. Looking at awnings for sale, remember this: a super heavy duty canvas awning might look great, but when it gets wet, or when the wind gets up, it could actually prove too heavy for the side of your van. In high winds, a solid awning acts like a sail – which makes for a stupendously worrying night. A person looking at awnings for sale needs to choose a fabric suitable for the use in mind: a permanent awning may be better in thicker material, as its longevity offsets its ability to turn into a sail; while someone looking for a temporary holiday awning would be better off with a lightweight fabric that’s easier to stow. Awnings, like tents, come with all sorts of fixtures and fittings – poles and guy ropes. Awnings for sale should obviously include a full complement of these, plus spares. If necessary, ask to see the spares. Cheap awnings for sale sounds great until something snaps and you have nothing to replace it with. Beware of any awnings for sale that can’t be seen erected. People offering awnings for sale but not able to show them erect and attached presumably have something to hide – torn or mouldy fabric, missing struts, a lessened complement of ropes, poles, pegs or stays. An awning for a caravan isn’t just a smart add-on, after all – it’s an opportunity to create a whole living room sized piece of extra space, which can be used as a porch, a dining room, a storage area or a pleasant place to read and relax whilst sheltering from the wind inevitable to most British camp sites. ========================================

Homestead offers new and

used caravans for sales

, caravan accessories, camping, outdoor leisure equipment,

awnings for sale

, tents, camping equipment and electrical caravan appliances.

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