Will Caravan Damp Dry Out? (How Long It Takes & How To Speed Up The Process)

If you don’t know how to deal with damp in caravans, it can become a major problem. Typically, lousy weather, water leaks, or even broken parts can lead to damp, but will this damp ever go away once it’s been created?

Luckily, yes, damp caravans will dry out with time. However the time the caravan takes to dry out, the materials required to assist with the removal of the damp and the quality of the caravan, once the damp has gone, will depend on the extent of the damp to start with.

If the overall dampness is more than 20%, it can be difficult to combat. However, there are a few things you can try to resolve the problem. Dehumidification, water seal repair, refrigerator repair, gentle heating, etc.

It’s only natural to be concerned if your caravan becomes damp. However, if you have the right tricks up your sleeve, fixing it will become so much easier.

How To Speed Up Damp Drying In Caravan?

Normally, damp drying can occur spontaneously on its own if the extent of dampness is less. However, you can try out some simple and easy things to speed up the process!

Here, I will discuss some easy ways to speed up your caravan’s drying time. So, read the next part to find out in detail about this!

Gentle Heat From A Heater Fan

If the dampness has occurred due to increased humidity or because you left a window open during rainy days, gentle heating can help you solve the issue.

Also, when this moisture-containing air condenses, the water vapour can no longer be held by the air. It starts to deposit on the surfaces, such as walls, ceilings, floors, windows, etc., causing dampness.

In this regard, you can use a heater fan to increase the temperature of the moist air. It will reverse the mechanism of condensation and ultimately dry out the moisture. Try heating at a low speed and do it slowly.

It is common sense that anything wet will get dry with the application of heat. However, it would help if you were very careful while doing so, as there are some risks.

Always try to do the heating subtly. If you go at a high speed, the wiring can burn due to overheating. Also, the heating should not make the air inside the caravan hot and dry. Living in a caravan with such atmospheric conditions can be very uncomfortable. That’s why heating is best avoided during the summer.

Moreover, using a heater fan can be pretty expensive. Mostly, it takes more time and energy when you have to heat up humid and moist air. Ultimately, it can lead to galloping expenses! So, use it with caution.

Use A Dehumidifier

The easiest and most straightforward way to solve dampness issues is to use a dehumidifier. In fact, using a fan heater and a dehumidifier simultaneously can do the work faster. Of course, dehumidifiers can be expensive.

Suppose you left some wet clothes to dry out inside the caravan. Or you just left a blanket that soaked up all the moisture on a humid day.

Even just boiling some water can lead to damp air. You can use a dehumidifier to dry out the air in all these cases. The job of this machine is to extract dampness and moisture from the air.

The dehumidifier you choose must be able to run unattended. Basically, it is a preventative way to control the humidity inside the caravan.

Just leave it at one end of the caravan after you are done with your chores so it can suck up the dampness on its own. Of course, you can drain out the water later.

Most dehumidifiers’ critical point temperature is 16 degrees Celsius, and they prefer to work below this temperature. Dehumidifiers should be able to work in between load shedding.

Also, make sure the brand you choose is good. Use a damp meter alongside to keep track of the humidity inside the caravan. Try to keep the humidity level below 15% consistently.

Most importantly, close all doors and windows and all sorts of openings inside your caravan before using the dehumidifier. Or it won’t be able to work correctly.

Some people think using such appliances can cause the air to be too dry and destroy the wooden materials inside the caravan. But this is not true. The dehumidifier will work, maintaining a comfortable humidity level for you to live in.

Get Help From An Infrared Heater

An infrared heater can be the answer to your fast drying. Such heaters use electromagnetic waves in the spectrum of about 700 nm to 1 mm.

These waves have the power to heat up any surface quicker than standard microwaves or typical heat waves. So, heating up with infrared heaters can be helpful in this regard.

But these kinds of heaters are not widely available and can be very costly. In fact, most infrared heaters require high voltage electricity, which can be difficult to maintain inside a caravan. Also, if your caravan lacks electric power lines, infrared heaters can be of no use there! So, use it where you can.

The waves of the infrared heater also have the power to kill any mould overgrowth inside your caravan as well. They can be helpful if you have trouble dealing with excessive dampness and high humidity with microbial growth.

Wiping Down Wet Surfaces

If there is a spill of water, or say, leakage from a broken pipe, don’t let the water stay for long. Wipe out the accumulations as soon as possible.

If you leave some water open inside the caravan in humid weather conditions, it can evaporate and then condense with the air. Eventually, this will create overall dampness inside the caravan.

So, if you have wet floors or wet surfaces, just wipe away the water with a dry cloth. At the same time, use a dehumidifier for a while to extract the moisture that may have been retained. Heaters can also help to dry up surfaces if necessary.

How To Avoid Damp Returning?

Dampness in caravans can be very uncomfortable to live with. Also, this dampness can often lead to rust build-ups, moulds, growth of bacteria, fungi, etc. So, you must be cautious about preventing and avoiding such situations in the future.

You can take care of a few things to prevent the dampness from returning. Here’s what you need to know!

Always keep the doors and windows shut. In particular, always remember to keep the windows closed during rainy days. Otherwise, the humid air can blow inside the caravan and settle there. If you forget to close the windows, turn on the dehumidifier until the air becomes dry.

Clean the floors and surfaces with hot water. If you use cold water, it becomes difficult to dry out. It is more time-consuming, and you will need a fan or blower to dry it out. But if you use hot water, the water can evaporate easily on its own, leaving no residue.

You can add a bit of spirit or alcohol to the water when you are cleaning inside the caravan, and it helps to enhance the evaporating capability.

Always keep an eye out to make sure there is no broken sealant or broken water ingress. Sometimes, there may be leakage, and you may not even realize it until there is some dampness inside! Also, make sure you close the refrigerators properly. The cold air from there can condense and become damp.

Conduct inspections at a regular interval. If you can manage to buy a damp meter, it would be best for you. Keep an eye on the humidity levels, and you are good to go!

When you are not using the caravan, make sure you have kept it adequately covered from all sides. Cover the roofs and all possible outlets that can allow the entry of damp air inside.

Avoid doing your laundry inside the caravan. Do not leave wet clothes to dry inside the caravan, as it will interfere with the moisture and humidity inside.

Conclusion

You can never be too careful when living in a caravan. Sometimes, the simplest chores can cause dampness inside, and it can become hard to live with it.

However, if you know how to deal with it and avoid such recurring situations, you are good to go! So, if anyone asks you now will caravan damp dry out, you know what to say!

I hope this article helped you to learn about dealing with dampness in caravans in detail. Try out these techniques and see the results for yourself! Thank you for reading the entire article with patience. Have a great day!