How To Check For Damp In A Second Hand Caravan

One of the most common problems associated with second hand caravans is damp. When viewing a second hand van that you intend to buy, the first thing you should do is check it top to bottom for signs of damp and water damage.

If you’re buying second hand from a dealer, you can ask them to run a damp detector over the caravan for you – they should be happy to oblige if they have nothing to hide. It is also a good idea to invest in your own damp detector as you can use it if looking at a second hand van from a private seller.

The key areas to check for damp in a second hand caravan are: under the sink and beside pumps for signs of leaking onto caravan shelving; underneath the mattresses and cushions (also check for staining); inside cupboards, lockers, etc as these areas are parallel to outside seals on the caravan; mismatching or obvious patch up attempts of caravan wall coverings; and soft spots on the walls, roof and floor (this can indicate rot as well as damp).

First walking into a second hand van is usually your first indication that it may have a damp problem – try to determine if the caravan smells mouldy or musty.

You should also check the external sealing of the caravan, especially around the body and windows, by pressing close to the joint and feeling for sponginess. Give the cupboard and door handles a good tug as loose fittings can indicate that damp has gotten into the second hand van.

If the second hand caravan passes all these tests, then it is safe to say it doesn’t have a damp problem, but if it fails any of them, it might be better to keep second hand van hunting.