How to Tackle RV Condensation
How to Tackle RV Condensation
After a long day outdoors, your RV is an awesome way to unwind, prepare a proper meal, and get a good night’s rest. It’s a perfect enclosed and sheltered space and if you’re an RV owner, you know it’s the best to camp. Unfortunately, all that enclosed space in the cabin leaves a lot of room for condensation and humidity buildup. It’s an all-too-common problem for RV owners and while at first it’s mostly a nuisance, over time it can lead to mildew and mold. You’ll want to be addressing this problem on a regular basis to protect your RV and its passengers.
Herold Trailer Sales has provided some easy ways to protect you and your RV from excess moisture. Give them a try, and if you find you’re still having a problem, stop by our location in Indianola, Iowa so our professional mechanics can give you a hand. We proudly serve the areas of Des Moines, Clive, and Ankeny, Iowa.
Humidity and Moisture
Humidity and moisture occur naturally. Even the act of breathing causes condensation to form in an enclosed space. You also spend time cooking, cleaning, bathing, and other necessary activities that put out excess moisture into your RV. Plus, you don’t want your RV to be too dry as this can lead to its own problems. The humidity level should be between 30-50% for safety and comfort. You’ll know when you’ve exceeded this because you’ll notice little water droplets forming on your walls and windows.
Stopping Moisture Before it Starts
Try to find all the points of origin of humidity and attempt to limit the output. This may mean changing up your schedule a bit. For example, don’t cook while someone is showering. Also, when you’re performing the activities that naturally release moisture, open a window or a vent to release as much of it as you can.
There are other ways moisture gets in, like minuscule leaks in your RV. Inspect your roof and walls regularly and apply sealant as needed. Dry all wet clothes outside before bringing them in or, if your RV is equipped, throw them in the dryer immediately.
Killing Moisture the Easy Way
The easiest and most common way to eliminate moisture is to use a dehumidifier. These devices are compact and collect moisture in the air and dispose of it in a collection receptacle that you can empty. If you have a larger RV, you may want more than just one dehumidifier. Fans are another great way to dispel excess moisture.
Off-the-Grid Moisture Removal
For those who really like to go off the beaten path and don’t have access to electricity, you’ll have to employ a few old school tricks. The easiest prevention method is ventilation. Open vents and windows to air out any unwanted moisture. When you’re releasing a lot of moisture into your RV, like when you’re cooking or showering, open vents on opposite sides of the RV to create a cross breeze.
There are also desiccant crystals that are used to pull water from the air. They’re more commonly used in basements and crawl spaces to control flooding, but they’re very effective in RVs as well. Contrary to popular belief, desiccant crystals are non-toxic, but they should still be kept out of reach of children and pets as they are a choking hazard.
Keeping the balance between too much and too little humidity can take some getting used to, but after a while you’ll achieve that balance. If you find there’s a structural issue causing your moisture buildup, bring your RV to Herold Trailer Sales so our professional mechanics can get you back on the road as soon as possible. We’re located in Indianola, Iowa, and welcome all RV owners from the regions of Des Moines, Clive, and Ankeny, Iowa.