Thoughts on these damp areas

[PeterJanice]

Adria twin sgx 23reg damp areas at each rear corner pillars, been back to the dealership for investigation of water ingress but I’m told it’s condensation. They have packed the back pillars with rockwool to form a fix claiming that it is Adria approved, cleaned the fabric and said see if it is any better claiming condensation will happen in all camper’s. This doesn’t seem right the van is claimed to all season vehicle any thoughts on how to proceed thanks.

 

[Andy MacD]

I have a SLB. No condensation there on mine. Could it be rear door seal?

 

[The Coops]

Get a damp meter and check the rear door seal first but as its a van conversion there is a lot of steel to chill and if you have a heater in the van and no dehumidifier you will get condensation I used to get the same damp marks on the roof lining of a previous motorhome I owned A cold spot but check the door seal as a starting point

 

[PeterJanice]

I have a SLB. No condensation there on mine. Could it be rear door seal?

No definitely not the door seal they had a camera in and condensation was visible

 

[Guigsy]

No definitely not the door seal they had a camera in and condensation was visible

There's no doubt it would be damp back there. But if the door seal leaked, wouldn't that also cause condensation?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[CazPaul]

If it’s got good insulation and all the bare internal metal is covered with the correct material, then this shouldn’t happen.

In a good conversion the back pillars should have good insulation in to start with, instead of this waiting to happen and then putting it in.

 

[Bramidan]

If they have identified condensation with a camera surely the fault lies in the conversion?
Whenever I have looked at PVC conversions on the internet ( I toyed with the idea) the provision of adequate insulation is always emphasised in order to minimise condensation.
As its well known surely it’s the fault of the converter? Surely they insulate? How much more have they missed?
Whilst they have attempted to cure the condensation at source I would have thought they should strip it down and replace the wall coverings.
That will at least enable you to monitor any fresh stains.

 

[PeterJanice]

If they have identified condensation with a camera surely the fault lies in the conversion?
Whenever I have looked at PVC conversions on the internet ( I toyed with the idea) the provision of adequate insulation is always emphasised in order to minimise condensation.
As its well known surely it’s the fault of the converter? Surely they insulate? How much more have they missed?
Whilst they have attempted to cure the condensation at source I would have thought they should strip it down and replace the wall coverings.
That will at least enable you to monitor any fresh stains.

This was the van roof on a frosty morning with the heating set at 5degs to try identify the lack of insulation all across the back crossmember (no people in the van)

 

[PeterJanice]

This was the van roof on a frosty morning with the heating set at 5degs to try identify the lack of insulation all across the back crossmember (no people in the van)View attachment 858559

 

[Bramidan]

So frost on that black plastic (?) fitting but no frost and it looks ”thawed” on the roof panels.
No sun thawing as frost present on the fitting, leads me to believe roof is being warmed from inside, logic suggests inadequate insulation.
Needs an expert report to take it further, possible rejection as not fit for purpose.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Guigsy]

The edge of the door is just below. Which means several sheet metal bridges for the heat to travel though, and only a thin door seal to insulate the air. More heat is escaping from that area, but it's also much harder to prevent it happening there. Even a well insulated van would defrost there first.

 

[L' Hobo]

I do not want to 'Big up' the brand BUT, in my 6yrs of ownership of my 2007 Murvi Morello PVC I have never had problems with condensation and never read about it from other owners!

The side body windows are all double glazed.
90% of inside, including ceiling, is covered by a thin carpet like material.

Not sure what they are doing right, but if they can do it, so can others.

Yes, they maybe more expensive than others one the market, but I suppose one gets what one pays for?

IMO, from the pictures, that's not condensation, that's water ingress.

 

[Fontie]

Could water be getting in through the brake light/camera at the top

 

[CazPaul]

I do not want to 'Big up' the brand BUT, in my 6yrs of ownership of my 2007 Murvi Morello PVC I have never had problems with condensation and never read about it from other owners!

The side body windows are all double glazed.
90% of inside, including ceiling, is covered by a thin carpet like material.

Not sure what they are doing right, but if they can do it, so can others.

Yes, they maybe more expensive than others one the market, but I suppose one gets what one pays for?

IMO, from the pictures, that's not condensation, that's water ingress.

The insulation in a Murvi is just cheap 2 bit thin loft insulation though with no vapour barrier. However, I took the panel off in the wardrobe and the insulation behind was still perfect and dry as a bone.

By all reports you’re not meant to use loft insulation when insulating a Motorhome so everyone says.

 

[mitzimad]

Rockwall stuffed into a damp spot will just get wet and slump to the bottom of the pillar better to use recycled plastic insulation that doesn't hold water

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[f6c]

What about using a heat loss camera, at least that would confirm inadequate insulation/cold Bridging.

 

[dunnah01]

The atmosphere is so damp at the moment that if you stay in the van for a day or two it's hard to avoid condensation on any colder surface. Just wipe it off and keep an eye on it and try not to heat the van if not using it.

 

[LithiumConvert]

Try turning the heater up to 20'C with good ventilation to dry everything out.

Apparantly, Sunday will be a good day.

 

[stevewagner]

Not a good idea to use heat to dry it, out as warm air carries more moisture than cold air.

 

[royandsharont]

My 22 SLB has not had any condensation visible anywhere except for the front screen when no silver screen fitted.

My previous Bessacarr 480G coach built had a cupboard/pod above the cab and I had condensation inside there. The dealer said Swift had not put insulation inside the plastic pod like fitting over the cab. The dealer fixed it completely by putting insulation inside the pod from the outside. Had to cut out 2 small access holes then filled it with something like an expanded ridged foam insulation.

I also had it in the 2 longitudinal decorative pods to hide the roof & side panels joint, not internally but drips came out externally. They did the same inside that cavity and again it never appeared again.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[LithiumConvert]

Not a good idea to use heat to dry it, out as warm air carries more moisture than cold air.

Yes, warm carries more moisture and the ventilation carries the warm (moist) aiir out of the vehicle.

If heat causes condensation, then the vehicle needs drying out.

 

[Soycd]

This has appeared as an issue on the Adria Twin Facebook group on some vehicles. Maybe have a look there?