Damp meter reading

[wiseclaret]

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum and wanted to ask some advice about a recent habitation service report. Our motorhome is an Elddis Accordo 135 Registered 2018. Everything was OK on the service apart from one small area of damp above the rear wheel. The cost of repair to this is £1200. I was just wondering if it was worth leaving it to dry out with a dehumidifier? It sounds alot of expense just for one small area of damp? I would be interested in anyone's thoughts who has previous experience with damp. Thanks in advance.

 

[VXman]

If there is a problem it will only get wet again. So no, it needs fixing.

 

[Lenny HB]

Common problem with Eldiss , no good just drying it out it need a proper repaid with any damp or rotten wood removing & replacing.

Is it not covered under your water ingress warranty?

 

[Speve]

A few pictures would be useful for anyone advising you however I would be inclined to investigate myself before committing to that kind of dosh to repair.
it could just be a faulty sealant joint?

 

[Phill D]

For that sort of money I would want a detailed description of the work to be carried out and itemised costs.

With that you will have a clearer idea of what exactly needs being done and evaluate if it’s a sensible price.

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[raysalaugh]

You might be better getting a second opinion, can you see the damp area?, how small is it and what was the reading?.

 

[wiseclaret]

Hello and Thankyou for your replies. There is absolutely nothing to see inside the van as regards damp it all looks and feels dry. The damp report shows a very small area behind the nearside rear wheel 47/31% damp. The work to repair it includes removing and replacing n/s skirt wheel spat, remove and replace battery compartment remove and refit bunk replace section of wallboard. The wheel arch with skirt costs £420.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

We've got an Elddis Accordo 105 which we bought new in 2018, it has a 10 year warranty against water ingress which remains valid as long as you get the annual habitation check done which includes a damp check.
We've had no issues. I'd check and see if the warranty is up to date

 

[wiseclaret]

Hi thanks for that. We bought it 2nd hand when it was 4 years old. The dealership didn't mention the Elddis warranty which reduces to 6 years when the vehicle is transferred. I have contacted Elddis who have told me because I didnt transfer within 3 months of purchase it is not valid even though it has a full habitation service record from new.

 

[Lenny HB]

Hi thanks for that. We bought it 2nd hand when it was 4 years old. The dealership didn't mention the Elddis warranty which reduces to 6 years when the vehicle is transferred. I have contacted Elddis who have told me because I didnt transfer within 3 months of purchase it is not valid even though it has a full habitation service record from new.

They try and get out of any claims.
If the dealer didn't tell you about the warranty I'd be leaning on him he should have known about it.

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[Wee Bold Davy]

Hi thanks for that. We bought it 2nd hand when it was 4 years old. The dealership didn't mention the Elddis warranty which reduces to 6 years when the vehicle is transferred. I have contacted Elddis who have told me because I didnt transfer within 3 months of purchase it is not valid even though it has a full habitation service record from new.

Sorry to hear that. Name and shame the dealer, he's been negligent, you should have been told that info, absolutely shocking. This forum has 10s of thousands of members and bad news travels fast, the faster the better in this case.
We've had a couple of small areas of silicone sealant which had started to crack, I replaced it during the summer just to be safe.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

If you've not joined the forum yet, I suggest that you do. You're allowed 5 free posts then thats it.
It costs £20 a year and it's the best £20 you'll ever spend. No matter what issue you come up against you'll find the info or help required. No such thing as a daft question and they're a brilliant lot and there's no need to be stuck.

 

[wiseclaret]

Thanks I will email the dealer and see what they say. It's Fuller Leisure near Nottingham. Had a really good experience with them so I'm disappointed really.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

Thanks I will email the dealer and see what they say. It's Fuller Leisure near Nottingham. Had a really good experience with them so I'm disappointed really.

Good luck. I take it that the previous Habitation check was ok? I could be wrong but I think a normal reading should be 15 or 17%. Damp is the last thing motorhome owners want to experience. At some point I'll take our van elsewhere for a second opinion before we sell it. Costly yes, worth it? Absolutely. Our van has gained value since we bought it

 

[wiseclaret]

Yes, all previous habitation checks were OK. Might get a 2nd opinion but not sure where to go

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[Wee Bold Davy]

Google caravan repairs near me, is a good starting point

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

The Approved Workshop Scheme
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You know it is important to look after your tourer or motorhome, but when you have work done, you want to be sure that your vehicle has been serviced by trained and experienced professionals. The solution is to use an Approved Workshop.
There are hundreds of fixed and mobile Approved Workshops across the UK. In order to be accepted on to the Scheme, all workshops must pass an annual inspection by a team of independent assessors and must comply with the Scheme's rigorous standards. So you'll know that the right things are done, by the right people and to a high standard.
For your peace of mind, always use an Approved Workshop to service your touring caravan or motorhome.
Approved Workshop

 

[Nonna]

A dealer (motorhomes not the 'meet on a dark corner' sort) told me that one can get a reading of 22% from one's fingers

I'd get a 2nd opinion. It may have been a situation which has since improved. Bear in mind that even 25% is not something to get too worried about.

 

[Pausim]

A dealer (motorhomes not the 'meet on a dark corner' sort) told me that one can get a reading of 22% from one's fingers

I'd get a 2nd opinion. It may have been a situation which has since improved. Bear in mind that even 25% is not something to get too worried about.

Of course you do, the human body is mostly water. 25% is a bit low the dealer should drink more water and seek a 2nd medical opinion. It also shows that he is using an invasive pin type moisture meter, the reading from a non invasive moisture meter of the type a dealer should use would give nearer 70% for human flesh (Tutankhamun excepted).

Different materials have different natural moisture levels but 31/47% is far too high for any material likely to be used in a motorhome. It needs fixing. Wood for construction projects should not exceed 19% and 9% is the limit for wood that is used in woodworking. All the other materials that are likely to be used in motorhome construction should be less. You can get false readings from pin type meters if the pins are not pushed into the material properly because it might then be reading surface condensation not water content.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

the reading from a non invasive moisture meter of the type a dealer should use would give nearer 70% for human flesh (Tutankhamun excepted)

and Donald Trump who's about 17% as he's 100% untreated wooden

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[CAB96]

What warranty did you get from the dealer? Trying to work out how long you have had it.

 

[wiseclaret]

Hello again and Thankyou all for your comments. I contacted Fuller Leisure in Nottingham via their website. Today I received a phonecall saying that they are more than willing to repair the damage caused by the water ingress as they see it as their responsibility.
I am very pleasantly surprised by their response. Having said that our experience with them has been good both sale and after sales.
Thanks again.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

Well done, I'm so pleased for you. Did they mention reinstating the warranty? I know it's only got months to go till the 6 years are up, don't know whether it would be worth the effort
Immerse yourself in the forum over the winter and hit the ground running in the spring

 

[Beltie]

Perhaps you may now well consider that your previous advice to 'name & shame' may just have been a tad premature!

 

[Swifter]

Hello again and Thankyou all for your comments. I contacted Fuller Leisure in Nottingham via their website. Today I received a phonecall saying that they are more than willing to repair the damage caused by the water ingress as they see it as their responsibility.
I am very pleasantly surprised by their response. Having said that our experience with them has been good both sale and after sales.
Thanks again.

Nice to see the dealer taking responsibility.
Sounds like a good company .

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[Wee Bold Davy]

Perhaps you may now well consider that your previous advice to 'name & shame' may just have been a tad premature!

I don't think it was premature, they made an error which could have cost the op at least £1,200 if he'd just gone ahead and had the work done without question like some may have done. Fair play to them putting their hands up when questioned and taking responsibility. Not all retailers would readily do that, we've all heard of such stories.