[Mary]

We've been camping for several years and moved into a seasonal campsite three years ago. It's been good but now we're having a problem and looking for help.

We have a 30 foot camper with a slide out in very good condition. We found some water on the area in front of the refrigerator, cleaned it up but it has turned into mildew/mold though it appears to be getting better. We're ready to close for the season in a couple of weeks so we're working hard to get rid of the problem. We've used a dehumidifier, ionizer, sprays.

We've destroyed the dinette set that came with the camper (We wanted a table and chair set up anyway) as we found that the water had wicked up the sides of the benches and mold was inside the storage under the benches. We then ripped up the carpet on the front section as well as the lineoleum underneath that surface. The underside of the lineoleum showed the water migration pattern and it appears that it didnt get to the slide out wood. We're leaving the floor coverings off for the winter to allow more drying time. We're probably put down new tile/lineoleum next spring. We also got rid of the sofa bed as it was also a possible source of problem from the mildew in the air and we found it uncomfortable so it wasn't a hard decision. We're replacing that with a couple of lounge chairs next season.

Today we're going out to buy a product called Concrobium that helps to clean and block mold from coming back. It's a spray but they also have a fogger. We have to decide about emptying out and removing the carpet/flooring in the storage bins in the area of the refrigerator as they seemed wet as well.

We're going to check the caulk around the vent over the refrigerator as that's where we think the water got in. We know that the refrigerator didn't defrost though we did lose power for 16 hours. There was gas in the tanks so if the system switched from electric to gas as it was supposed to it didn't run out. WE also think the rain was described as coming down so hard that it probably just managed to blow into the vent so we're concerned about drying that area as well. :shrug:

The only other thing I can think of is calling a restoration company and seeing if our insurance will cover any of the cost of all of this. Thus far the cost is minimal with time being the biggest demand.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to reading everyone's posts of travels in the future! :comfort_:

 

[artmart]

You are concentrating on the wrong end of the problem. You must find the source of the problem, not keep fixing the results of the problem.

There could be an exterior leak and from the damage described this has been going on for a long time. This problem could be caused by the drain hose from the fridge which may be cracked or gone and then the water from the fridge condensation does not drain outside, it leaks into the interior. Again, this was been going on too long.

What you are doing right now is throwing time and money at a problem that you will be just throwing more time and money since the root cause has NOT been identified and fixed. Since these types of problem are perceived to be caused by neglect or lack of maintenance for a trailer (or just not knowing how to pay attention), insurance may not cover it. Unlike house insurance there are better allowances for damage like this that will include repair and cleanup. For a trailer, this is not the case. You'll have to read the fine print very closely for coverage since this is a more common problem since a trailer has inherent designs that are prone to water problems.

What ever you do, this will be an expensive fix if you get another company involved. However, if you do not have the expertise to repair problems like this you might not have a choice. In either case, you cannot ignore this problem and must do something quick starting with finding all the causes.

Other things to check - The kitchen vent should have a cover that is hinged so it opens automatically with the hood fan is on. Otherwise it should hang down so rain does not get in. This same vent should also have a triangular fixed cover that shields the vent from downpouring rain that enters the vent. Also check the seals around the slideouts and windows and vents and you'll need to get on the roof and check all the seals, seams, covers. Hopefully you can eyeball and find if there is any damage.

I'm afraid you've got a lot of work ahead and should not leave this trailer under these conditions without repairs and cleanup. If you just remove damage and then you don't catch it all and fix the problems, then leave the unit for some weeks or months, you run the risk of more mildew and mold and more to remove and repair.

I hope you can find the problem, then fix it, then open up the interior so that it dries completely, but in this case if it's going into storage and therefore will be closed up and it's stored in a humid environment, well, I hope you can imagine the precautions you'll have to take.

Best of luck to you.

 

[bobrussell]

art's right, find out where the water/moisture came from to start with....

the moisture that's there will dry up if vented properly (granted you don't want mold problems). moisture for a short period of time won't cause wood root though you may be right in chuncking some of the wet furniture and carpet.

find out where it's coming from or you'll be in the same boat shortly.

good luck with it:comfort_: