Hi all. Absolutely devestated to be writing this post but my husband and I spent all our savings on a 3 year old motorhome last weekend (private sale) only to find we have damp in the N/S/R floor. We've had a damp good quality (pinless) damp meter on the area and it is showing 90%+ in a thin line (approx 2in wide) along each side of the rear corner floor (below bunk bed) in an l-shape (approx 50cm in length each side). Strange as there is no visible evidence of damp from inside or outside of the van, no softness of the walls, no marks etc which, as is my understanding, is usual with levels this high. As experienced caravanners who have been stung once before with a damp van we feel I feel like we were complete idiots to have missed this (we did check for damp just ironically not this particular corner at the time of sale). My husband is rather chill about the whole situation saying that we will get it repaired (he's actually a damp specialist/building surveyor for houses so has knowledge of this sort of this just not specifically for motorhomes) however I'm traditionally a worrier. We have someone coming out in a few weeks to take a look but in the meantime can anyone advise re rough ball park figures we are likely to be looking at to get this repaired properly please as they can't get out sooner and my anxiety is through the roof right about now. Know these figures will vary as will depend on the extent of the problem but is it likely to be closer to £1000, £3000 or £10000???) My husband is going to try and strip the lino back today so see if he can see what's going on. He's been under the van but the area is covered by fibreglass so no clues from the exterior. Thanks so much in advance.
Damp Rimor
- Thread starter MH1234
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- Feb 2, 2015
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Just followed the thread through and read it slowly just incase I was reading it wrong ...30% damp from a previous issue ? Any paperwork showing what they did to repair such a fault? Most if not all companies would not consider selling a motorhome if it were to have had that sort of damp without some major work being carried out to rectify it? There has to be a paper trail showing its repairs and what was carried out.
All habitation services where damp is tested for ....A 'Normal' is classed as 10%. (Reason is the moisture in the air and so you cannot get a zero reading at any time officially. Anything above 25% is classed as wet and not damp. If wet then repairs are required . Resealing etc may work but only if the fault can be diagnosed at source and the area treated to suit.
We had two Autotrail motorhomes . Both went back to Main dealer at Grimsby for repairs. The first Apache 634 we had (2018 at 3 years old) had to have a new right rear corner sorted. 50% reading ! it was away for 8 weeks. The second Autotrail we had (Again a 634!! Should have learned!) had damp in the garage section and it too went back to Grimsby but for a full rear panel replacement. Again because of 30%damp this time . That was away from us for 12 weeks!
Suggest you chat with the dealer or seller and demand action. 30% damp is one thing but above that....That is just wrong!
Regards Kev
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Nope, no evidence of work being done to recify the issue of 30% damp in the same area however lots of paperwork for everything else. I am worried at this stage about getting in touch with the seller as don't want to accuse anyone of anything before finding out properly what is going on (as others have said it could be lots of things). The seller appeared very genuine and was using the motorhome as part of his business for the next 18 months. In addition i assume that when the 30% damp was found the vehicle would still have been under the rimor warranty give at this point it was only 2 years old and this was its second hab check. We have purchased privately so I'm not sure what recourse we have although we did ask the seller if it had any damp and he verbally said not and did not mention this hab check report which we only found later (didnt know it existed but later found in with LOTS of different instruction manuels). Its this report that has prompted us to check the area which is now, 18 months later, reading as 90%+ yet with no visible damage above the lino or softness of the floor that we can see (my husband will lift the lino tomorrow to get a better look). It if can be fixed, even at a cost of £1000, then I am happy. It's the fear of it being much more than this or irrepearable, that scares me
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It really just doesnt make sense to me that the seller did not get this fixed following the hab check which showed 30% as it was covered by a warranty so had nothing to loose and he kept hold of it for a further 18 months. All the paperwork re the engine shows services every 3 months so looks like was careful. And if he was trying to screw us over surely he would have removed the hab check report which shows damp?!?!?!
I think the only thing we can do is wait until we have had chance to inspect further and get a proper independent hab check done. At this point we can sort repairs and, if necessary, contact the seller. He sold from both his home and business address so I have no reason to suspect he is unscrupulous, hopefully either way we will get a positve outcome (else I doubt I will ever trust anyone properly ever again which would be a great shame!)
I think the only thing we can do is wait until we have had chance to inspect further and get a proper independent hab check done. At this point we can sort repairs and, if necessary, contact the seller. He sold from both his home and business address so I have no reason to suspect he is unscrupulous, hopefully either way we will get a positve outcome (else I doubt I will ever trust anyone properly ever again which would be a great shame!)
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No, weve not had the heating on in the van yet as need to get some gas. Only brought it home last weekend.
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Thanks so much, we truly hope so
I'm sure you'll soon get it sorted and have many years enjoyment
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You indicated it was a "private" sale but that he has another van for sale as well, could he be a trader operating from home ? If so this alters your consumer rights entirely. Might be worth investigating.
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If necessary I will do (do not want to place blame prematurely). He has 3 vans for sale as was/is a rental business (with excellent reviews might I add)
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- Feb 22, 2011
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I think that makes him a trader not a private seller
Big difference in your consumer rights.
I think you should go back to him with your findings and ask for some recompense to correct a non disclosed fault.
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I'm pretty sure that will make him a trader as presumably he is selling his business stock/fleet, might be worth a discreet call to CAB.
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- Feb 22, 2011
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I'd have thought an approach to the seller is the best first move.
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We will do. We just need to check that our findings are correct first as others have pointed out it could be our damp meter that is the problemI think that makes him a trader not a private seller
Big difference in your consumer rights.
I think you should go back to him with your findings and ask for some recompense to correct a non disclosed fault.
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Lenny HB
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It is worth contacting a Rimor as they should be able to check on Rimor's system if the damp checks have been kept up to date.
But the warranty could be very limited being sold as a hire vehicle.
But the warranty could be very limited being sold as a hire vehicle.
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Two on Tour
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The OP's first move should be as they have said, is to have the correct information by rechecking if the areas are in fact damp or their pinless damp meter miss-reading, rather than go off half cocked accusing their seller.
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haganap
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I had a very similar van to yours. An adria 670sk.
Garage on the side opening to bunk beds. We always got high readings in this area as garage doors are renowned for not sealing great and not a lot of air moving about and stuff in there.
The ranges always varied, you say nothing feels sodden, you can't see any staining and that previous readings have read the same with no action taken.
My advice would-be to get a check done, don't tell the person doing.it what you have found, let them do their own and then compare.
If nothing is sodden, and there appears no ingress visible, a simple reseal and inspecting how the garage door shuts might suffice.
My van was a 2005 and 3 years old when we had it, and it's still in use after 20 years without any major repairs..
I know you say you are a worrier, but I wouldn't at this stage, I would simply start planning your travels with the family.
Garage on the side opening to bunk beds. We always got high readings in this area as garage doors are renowned for not sealing great and not a lot of air moving about and stuff in there.
The ranges always varied, you say nothing feels sodden, you can't see any staining and that previous readings have read the same with no action taken.
My advice would-be to get a check done, don't tell the person doing.it what you have found, let them do their own and then compare.
If nothing is sodden, and there appears no ingress visible, a simple reseal and inspecting how the garage door shuts might suffice.
My van was a 2005 and 3 years old when we had it, and it's still in use after 20 years without any major repairs..
I know you say you are a worrier, but I wouldn't at this stage, I would simply start planning your travels with the family.
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stevewagner
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You have to contact the seller at the first opportunity as waiting could only make matters worse if there is a damp issue.
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Thanks all. So I have been in touch with the seller and he has been great. He replied straight away and explained that the 30% damp found on the hab report from last year was down to a leaking water container and that he was advised to simply let dry out and recheck which he did and has never found a worrying reading in that spot since. He even went on to reassure me that he had checked the whole van over before we collected, including that area, and nothing came back as over 15%. He explained that our readings could be down to the conditions and/or type of meter as didn't read this high on his a week ago and actually advised us to get someone out to check (for which we have an appointment booked) if we are worried so absolutely no reason for him to lie about this I don't think. He also advised me that he was told if the area hadnt have dried out it would be a relatively easy fix as so easy to get to. Will still check the garage door seal tomorrow and may pull the lino up but hopefully all will be well at our forthcoming hab check 
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haganap
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Thanks all. So I have been in touch with the seller and he has been great. He replied straight away and explained that the 30% damp found on the hab report from last year was down to a leaking water container and that he was advised to simply let dry out and recheck which he did and has never found a worrying reading in that spot since. He even went on to reassure me that he had checked the whole van over before we collected, including that area, and nothing came back as over 15%. He explained that our readings could be down to the conditions and/or type of meter as didn't read this high on his a week ago and actually advised us to get someone out to check (for which we have an appointment booked) if we are worried so absolutely no reason for him to lie about this I don't think. He also advised me that he was told if the area hadnt have dried out it would be a relatively easy fix as so easy to get to. Will still check the garage door seal tomorrow and may pull the lino up but hopefully all will be well at our forthcoming hab check
That's good, sounds like a decent guy, keep us updated
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He comes across as really decent hence me not wanting to make any premature accusations. Will keep you all updated. Thank you all again though, I am feeling a million times better already and no longer feeling the need to crazy scour the internet for any further horror stories 
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This is exactly what I needed to hear, thank you. 20 years without any major repairs sounds perfect, well done! Were your readings as high as ours too?
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Stop worrying until you know something!
The green mould on the inside of the locker in your pic suggests to me that it might be condensation running down the inside face of the locker.
Is the floor actually soft?
Mike
The green mould on the inside of the locker in your pic suggests to me that it might be condensation running down the inside face of the locker.
Is the floor actually soft?
Mike
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No floor feels firm to touch
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Nanniemate
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Does it not have a manufactures warranteeDoes it sound like it could be a very very expensive repair? £1000 I can take but if we are likely creeping up beyond £2000 this would be a different scenario. It's only 3 years old
I read on and it looks like my question is answered
Good luck
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- Nov 22, 2018
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Hi, we too, have a Rimor. A Europeo 97+
Very Italian! Looks great, but eclectic and all over the place. Still we love ours.
Anyway. Water.
1. We bought from new in 2018, and it arrived with the rear window put in but with no sealant at all! We only noticed it when a pretty substantial dribble was running down onto the rear double bed! The dealer sent someone who took the window out and compeltely refitted it. No problems since.
2. We have the Truma Aventa aircon fitted. A couple of years ago, there was water dripping from it. Then last year, it was pouring out. Took it to our go-to bloke, who said, "Its your spacers. 90% certain.". He took it out, fitted the correct spacers and it works brilliantly.
3. We had a typically Italian kitchen tap. Looks bellissimo, with the on/off right by the spout. Absolutely useless design! Basically it caught on everything, sending water everywhere. Ripped it out and put a sensible tap in.
Anyway, my point is that our Rimor has, on occasion been half inch deep in water. We dried it out each time, just by using the fan blowers. And every time we have a hab check, it comes back as dry as a bone. So what I am saying is once you have found and fixed it, newer MHs are probably better able to dry off and you will have many brilliant years finding out how hilariously illogical your Rimor is!!
All the very best in finding what is causing it. I am certain that you will be fine in the long term.
Very Italian! Looks great, but eclectic and all over the place. Still we love ours.
Anyway. Water.
1. We bought from new in 2018, and it arrived with the rear window put in but with no sealant at all! We only noticed it when a pretty substantial dribble was running down onto the rear double bed! The dealer sent someone who took the window out and compeltely refitted it. No problems since.
2. We have the Truma Aventa aircon fitted. A couple of years ago, there was water dripping from it. Then last year, it was pouring out. Took it to our go-to bloke, who said, "Its your spacers. 90% certain.". He took it out, fitted the correct spacers and it works brilliantly.
3. We had a typically Italian kitchen tap. Looks bellissimo, with the on/off right by the spout. Absolutely useless design! Basically it caught on everything, sending water everywhere. Ripped it out and put a sensible tap in.
Anyway, my point is that our Rimor has, on occasion been half inch deep in water. We dried it out each time, just by using the fan blowers. And every time we have a hab check, it comes back as dry as a bone. So what I am saying is once you have found and fixed it, newer MHs are probably better able to dry off and you will have many brilliant years finding out how hilariously illogical your Rimor is!!
All the very best in finding what is causing it. I am certain that you will be fine in the long term.
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Thank you so much, this is reassuring. We had never really considered a Rimor before but simply fell in love with this one after many many months of toying whether or not to take the plunge and get a motorhome or go back to caravans as hadn't quite managed to find the right layout until now! We are keen to do things like the NC 500 which isn't easy with a caravan so I'm told and travel around Europe with a caravan seriously bumping up ferry prices and restricing access to some of the smaller campsites in Switzerland etc. Hopefully an easy fix! Will find out on the 20th
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So for anyone following, my husband jas borrowed a friend's pronged damp meter this evening and we are getting readings of 95% in the very corner of the garage (rear passenger side) with these tailoring off to 30/45% along each edge and about 28% in the middle of the garage floor. Feeling very deflated and a little taken in at the moment and desperately clinging onto hope that it could just be conditions and/or contact with metal causing the readings. Floor still feels firm. My husband has tried taking the lino up but it seems to be glued down (or at least there doesn't seem to be a point to lift from easily) and we don't want to damage anything so not playing the waiting game until the professional arrives on the 20th. Hey ho, tis life! 
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Had a good look at the garage door seal too and all looks ok to the eye. What looks like green algae in the picture is just a little discolouring of the silicone seal (likely ad a result of condensation) but all looks intact as it should.
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Don’t despair, if all is solid, it will probably be fine and very fixable.
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Sorry to hear your plight. One simple thing that sometimes contributes to damp in garage areas close to the door openings is incorrectly/poorly fitted rubber seals. It has been known to happen before that a cause of damp has been where the gasket join (read: gap) is at the top edge of the door instead of at the bottom edge, with obvious consequences. I know it’s a bit bizarre but you’ll be surprised at what basic assembly/QC errors customers report on some recently manufactured vans.
Worth a simple five minute check when you’re next looking around the van, and one less (not so obvious) thing to discount in the search for the cause. HTH.
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