Roof Canvas damp

feeblecat · Post by **feeblecat** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:21 am

Hi, when we went away at the weekend we found the roof canvas all milldewy inside. Couldn't see any evidence of leaks so would it be condensation and if so what is the best way to tackle this. Should we be raising roof on a regular basis even when not being used or heating van or what. If not condensation any ideas? And lastly, how can I get rid of milldew? thanks in advance.

hogggman · Post by **hogggman** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:23 am

hi,
i had this problem and used a VERY mild bleach solution.others have had success with dettol mould and mildew remover.ours seems to get damp when not aired regularly.
thanks
jamie

missfixit70 · Post by **missfixit70** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:00 pm

I leave the hatch into the aft open, & try & open it up at least once a month, haven't had any damp problems yet

MountainGoat · Post by **MountainGoat** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:29 pm

My hatch is permanently open as I removed the hinge pins (not the hinges themselves so it can be put back) and placed the trap door at the back of the roof on top of the mattress. Not had a touch of dampness in the roof yet.

Tony

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 2:43 pm

Lots of discussion on here, centred around dettol mould remover . I used it recently with complete success. But wear protective gloves and breathing mask as it is bleach based. Also don't leave it on any longer than recommended, and wash off throughly with water as it will degrade the material unduly otherwise.

Post by **Doone** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 11:12 am

We had no problem 2 years after treating ours with dettol mildew remover, the fabric was still sound. We also left the vent open (unzipped) when the roof was closed.

Magwa · Post by **Magwa** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:07 pm

hogggman wrote:hi,
i had this problem and used a VERY mild bleach solution.others have had success with dettol mould and mildew remover.ours seems to get damp when not aired regularly.
thanks
jamie

As the man says, air the roof, dry it out properly and detol mildew remover is good stuff

Good luck

Magwa

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:14 pm

Doone wrote:We had no problem 2 years after treating ours with dettol mildew remover, the fabric was still sound. We also left the vent open (unzipped) when the roof was closed.

It's best to be careful with bleach on fabrics though as you don't get owt for nowt I fear. It's not that you are likely to obviously damage it, more that each use will 'tire' the fabric that little bit more so try not to leave it on longer than necessary etc. (the bottle states 3 mins)

On the ventilation front, take the advice seriously. Just after I posted first about this, I received a PM from a member whose partner got into breathing difficulty while using the stuff to clean inside the Bongo roof and was rushed to hospital. That's an extreme case, but it is an aerosol of bleach, not too much different in effect or chemical composition from chlorine gas as used in WW1. Just be sensible!

AndAndDen · Post by **AndAndDen** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 5:10 pm

Mike glad you posted about the precautions on useing products for cleaning the Aft Canvas.
Yes Andy was rushed into hospital with severe breathing problems.Stayed in 2 days and was put on Nebulisers.Luckily

thanks goodness no permanent damage.So do please be careful and make sure you wear a mask.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 5:40 pm

AndAndDen wrote:Mike glad you posted about the precautions on useing products for cleaning the Aft Canvas.
Yes Andy was rushed into hospital with severe breathing problems.Stayed in 2 days and was put on Nebulisers.Luckily thanks goodness no permanent damage.So do please be careful and make sure you wear a mask.

I see you've got up from your restbed then Den. Hurrah - hope you're mending chuck

AndAndDen · Post by **AndAndDen** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 5:46 pm

Aww thanks Mike.Yes getting up and about now.Been so boreing just resting( but it had to be done ).Ready to get away now

feeblecat · Post by **feeblecat** » Thu Jan 29, 2009 6:56 pm

Thanks very much for the replied - hatch now fully open and will air frequently. Couldn't remove the milldew though but hopefully will not get any worse.

missfixit70 · Post by **missfixit70** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 2:06 am

Mould & mildew remover in Aldi - http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/28 ... 1-30-11-07 may be worth a try.

feeblecat · Post by **feeblecat** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 11:42 am

thanks again, will buy the mould remover in case needed in the future. I wish I had asked when I bought the bongo for your wintering tips and could have prevented it, already by acting on your advice I see the difference. Maybe something to remind the newbies about though when they first post!

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Feb 01, 2009 12:00 pm

feeblecat wrote:thanks again, will buy the mould remover in case needed in the future. I wish I had asked when I bought the bongo for your wintering tips and could have prevented it, already by acting on your advice I see the difference. Maybe something to remind the newbies about though when they first post!

Curious though as my dark spots vanished when I used the dettol stuff. I'm not sure how easily you can guarantee prevention without being obsessive as it depends a lot on how much prolonged cold and damp the weater throws at you, so I woudn't be too hard on yourself.

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