Damp

Hi had series 7 pageant had leak top near side was found to be awaning rail not been sealed wear there was a joint front panel to roof panel was told it was a common fault on 2009 models 

What do they mean "monitor it" usually readings much over that high require investigation, with winter coming take care not to be fobbed off!

At 50% it needs remedial action NOT monitoring.

Approved Workshop Scheme Guidance Notes

Readings between 0 - 15% are not a cause for concern.
GUIDANCE NOTES
Readings between 15 - 20% may require further
investigation when compared with the average of all
readings taken. Consideration should be given to
re-checking the area in three months.
Readings greater than 20% will identify areas needing
remedial work. There may be early signs of water
ingress or evidence of moisture. Again, consideration
should be given to re-checking the area in three months.
When readings go above 30% structural damage may
be occurring and deterioration is inevitable.

Have you had the c/van for a while?

Yes we have had it for just over three years. Ther is no other problem with it. The last van we had was a bailey Avalon that  we bought brand new in 1993 and traded it in three years ago. We decided not to buy a new bailey because of all the damp problems  people have had .

EasyT is right about the Approved Workshop notes. If your van has not been serviced by an Approved Workshop, maybe its time to change to one.

Did you get a damp report with the areas of damp marked on?

It has just been serviced by an approved workshop. I do have the full damp report as usual and it shows between 12% and 15% everywhere apart from a area approx 4 square inches directly below the strip that joins the front panel to the roof..You can't see a stain or a damp mark and it does'nt feel damp but is came up with a 50% reading. It goes in in 10 days to have the roof strap removed ,cleaned up all the old silicone removed and then refitted and revealed with new silicone. Hopefully that should be the end of it.

I am thinking of buying my own Damp Meter.

Can anyone who has one please advise which make they have and 

are they happy with it.

There are so many on the market, I would appreciate any

advise.

I have an Extech MO257

It is a very good non invasive tester and cheaper than the industry standard Protimeter Aquant or Surveymaster which are considered the best on the market.

You have to know how to use these type of meter though, they give false alarms when picking up strengthening within a sandwich construction, or embedded cables for example. If you didn’t know this you would have a panic every time you used it. They are good for finding suspected areas of damp but should always be followed up with a pin type meter for more accuracy. I have a fairly cheap pin meter bought off eBay for around £20 but it is quite accurate. 

Approx once every two months, usually when away at a site, I go over the whole van with the Extech, checking all corners, around windows joints, around access hatches etc. All the usual places where moisture is likely to enter. If i’m unsure about a false alarm I may be getting, check with the pin meter but only if very unsure, don’t want holes left all over the van.

The Extech MO280 is a cheaper alternative non invasive meter at around £100 and receives good reviews, may be worth a punt