Damp Rimor

[MH1234]

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.

 

[Mike800966]

Whilst you are waiting for the fellow to come and look might I suggest that you clamber under the van with a good torch and use the damp meter on the garage floor in that area. A lot of water can be thrown up by the back wheels any holes, like for cables, then allow the wet to soak into the floor ply.
Just thoughts, good luck
Mike

 

[Nomad.]

Thanks both for your quick replies. No nothing been spilled and not yet got round to cleaning. My husband did have to rest on the lower bunk and pop the damp meter to the floor by reaching through one of the slats (as couldn't open the garage door due to where its currently parked) so I'm wondering if some contributing condensation may have been caused by his breath (it was freezing outside). Having said this I've been scrutinising the paperwork given to me by the seller and whilst there is a clear hab check from 2022, folded up inside was another hab check from 2023 showing damp of 30% in the same place we are getting these readings now so looks like it's an issue that has been going on for at least 18 months making it even more confusing as without the damp meter and this report you cant tell anything is wrong, even at readings of 90%+. So pleased to hear it can be fixed (we plan to keep the motorhome for ourselves and children so not as worried in relation to trade in value but more in relation to structural safety and longevity).

 

[Nomad.]

Hello.I have a 2009 Ford Transit mk7 based Rimor 6 berth Motorhome.Shortly after purchasing it in 2019.I noticed rust spots on the cavetta line from front to back.Basically it’s the join from sidewall to roof from front to back.Once I removed the plastic trim it was obvious that they used zinc plated screws to fasten all together.I managed to get 98 percent of the rusty buggers out.I then refastend the whole lot with Stainless fasteners.The original screws were all not holding much.Resulting in total no water ingress.As a boat owner for 21 years I discovered that all leaks are sneaky.They appear in one area but the leak may be a long way away.Good luck,doesn’t sound that bad.

 

[Billybob56]

Importers and main agents for Rimor are Motorhomes & Caravans in Hull. I suggest that you get hold of them and tell them of your findings. They are generally very helpful and sorted any problems that we had with our 2022 Rimor.

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[Billybob56]

Motorhomes for sale, caravans for sale and holiday lets in Yorkshire

motorhomesandcaravansltd.co.uk

 

[Michael.]

As previously stated by another member, non invasive (pinless) readings often show damp when there isn't any. The only way to be sure of a correct reading is to do a reading with an invasive test. (ideally somewhere the pin marks are not visible).

Any good service engineer will be able to give you the information you need. If you are any where near East Yorkshire i would be happy to check it for you.

 

[MH1234]

Thank you all so much for the time taken in replying to my post. So just an update for anyone else reading...fortunately our NCC approved hab check guy managed to squeeze us in early. Unfortunately he did indeed find readings of 56% damp in the garage area in addition to 3 other 25ish% readings in other areas of the floor. On one hand dissapointed that we hadn't been given the full truth when buying and sad that humans treat one another this way at times but on the other hand really happy to have found the issue, have an answer and a date booked in for the van to be fixed. Expensive repair but we are looking at it in the sense that it will be money well invested for peace of mind and knowing that the van has been given a clean bill of health ready for a fresh start and lots of care and attention during adventures going forward. We could argue to return/exchange but could just as easily end up in the same boat again so relatively happy with were we are.

Thank you all once again, what a lovely bunch!

 

[MH1234]

Out of interest I'm just looking at the report and the areas of damp are more or less just behind where the wheels are. What are more experienced members thoughts on mud flaps? Useful or a waste? Obviously the repairs are going to be done properly and Ill leave it to the professionals to trace and fix the source of the leak on this oocasion, I'm just thinking for care and future supportive measures

 

[Googlebot]

Out of interest I'm just looking at the report and the areas of damp are more or less just behind where the wheels are. What are more experienced members thoughts on mud flaps? Useful or a waste? Obviously the repairs are going to be done properly and Ill leave it to the professionals to trace and fix the source of the leak on this oocasion, I'm just thinking for care and future supportive measures

Mudflaps might help a bit, in my opinion though, if a seal has gone, it’s gone.

The arch in our Hymer leaked and luckily I was able to quickly find and seal it. It literally cost me the sealant as everything was only a bit damp rather than soaked. Quick clean and reseal and job done.

Hope yours is as easy.

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[Linda B]

Please be aware that the pinless type damp meters can react to metalwork and can give false readings.
I have and use a pinless damp meter, and mine picks up the aluminium angle at the base of our MH floor to wall fixings as a high damp reading.

I watched a video on this just this week. It also said if you are testing a thin area it can test through the material to floor even. Pinned ones definitely more accurate.

 

[Splasher6]

Hi, with such a narrow strip of apparent dump I’d suspect the meter and try with a pin meter. I have both types and trust the pin meter more where there is likely to be sub surface metal etc. Our motor home had one damp patch where some sealant needed replacing on an outer panel. This wasn’t a strip but a damp area that had obviously spread from the outer edge (more damp, reading with pins 25 I think) to less damp then no damp (pin reading about 10/12 as previous hab check of all areas). Hopefully all will be well with yours.