Habitation Damp Check

[Revolvor]

My 2009 Autotrail has just had its first Habitation Check, one year after I purchased it.

The Damp Check was reported as below:

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Should I have any cause for concern?

The 9% and 10% figures on the nearside do not surprise me as I know there was a leak through the window, which they have now removed and re-sealed.

It is normally parked on a slight slope on my drive, so all the water from the roof drains down from two places on the Off-side.

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How is a Damp Check performed in a motor-home? Would they have used a non-contact type?

I have seen some recommended by other funsters, particularly this one: Link Removed

Any other recommendations?

How easy is it to use a non-contact meter - and correctly interpret the results?

Thanks, John

 

[tonka]

It's a Watertrail.... Sorry I meant Autotrail...

When you get one like mine was at 40% and only 11 months old, thats the time to worry. !!

 

[Taran_Las]

If I understand correctly you should only have cause for concern if the readings are 20% or above.

 

[GWAYGWAY]

I had to remove my rear bumper for repair and found the wooden rail along the rear panel was sopping like a sponge and it is exposed to everything, no cover, no paint, no nuttin' it is spongey and pulpy and goes 6-10 inches from the left side only and the vertical bit is even worse. I do not know whence it comes but there are no windows or doors on that panel and all above is 4% so not tracking down. The foam seems OK just the exposed wood frame. I will not be buying another of that make as they are still using wood for the frames.

 

[Frank n Betty]

Just had our habitation check11 months after purchase major damp issues found on our pride and joy we are going away Monday, appt at dealer when we get back who are already muttering the witty does not apply to vehicles over 7 years old?
Any tips to reinforce my case would be appreciated

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[funflair]

Hi @Revolvor i would think that Taran_Las is correct in saying nothing there to concern you, the sheet does say below 15% will not be reported as no problem with those levels, there has to be some level of damp as it represent atmospheric humidity reading.

Martin

 

[stevec]

A strange report with lots of zeros. If they got readings why didn't they write them in? I would have expected anything between 8 and 15. Apart from the zeros the other figures look ok unless they are using a different scale (usually percentage).

With regards to non contact meters they can be affected by any metal buried in the body, including any aluminium skin on the outside. I use mine on a comparison basis. Check in the middle of a panel (furthest from any potential leak) as a reference then compare to reading around panel edges and apertures. Not foolproof but a good indication.

 

[IanF]

Normal and acceptable readings are in the range 1 to 15 (your architraves & skirtings at home should be in this range) As said above only really need to do anything to source and resolve a water ingress problem when the readings are clearly above this range.

 

[Petest]

The ply used will have a moisture content reading which is affected by the seasonal temperature and humidity. Think of solid wood floors - in the summer they expand because the heating is off and there can be high humidity levels. In the winter, the heating comes on which dries the air so the flooring looses moisture to the air and shrinks. This results in gaps between the boards.

Basically, a reading below 15% (as said above), is normal.

The types of meter used commonly by flooring pros and surveyors are predominantly made by Protimeter. Another very good make is Tramex.

Both do meters that can scan (non invasive) as well as use pins.

I have (protimeter) - mini, surveymaster, hygrometer and a couple of mms meters.

Tramex - wood encounter, cme4, MRH3 and another couple I can't remember the model number of.

I regularly check our van on scan only but still pay a pro for a hab check.