How to Spot and Prevent Damp in Your VW Camper

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One of the biggest headaches for VW campervan owners is finding damp inside the vehicle before embarking on a big road trip. Whether you’re powering a vintage T2 Bay Window or a contemporary, powerful T6 converted camper, moisture ingress is unfortunately no joke. 

Even with car manufacturing processes advancing, there’s always a chance (albeit slight) that faulty window, door and roof light seals can let water seep in. It’s admittedly more common in older vehicles, particularly around panels and corner joints. However, the same salient point remains: too much of it, and it becomes a big problem that can cause damage to your vehicle.

The good news is that with a few essential, regular, and simple checks and a handful of proactive measures, your VW campervan can be kept dry and damp-free, keeping it road-ready all year round. Act quickly and the problem can be solved easily and for an affordable upfront cost.

How to tell when your VW camper has damp

Your nose will often tell you first. That notorious musty smell when you open the sliding door is usually the earliest indicator that water has found its way inside. However, there are other tell-tale signs of damp:

• Small black spots or discolouration around seals

• Blue or pinkish staining on interior panels

• Spongy feeling or indentations on surfaces or cupboard interiors

• A creaky sound or soft feeling under the flooring, with plywood layers separating (delamination)

These symptoms can indicate that water has seeped through to the underlying or surface materials, potentially signalling their degradation.

How does water get into campers?

Understanding the common entry points for moisture in unique vehicles like VW campers is important. According to Stormcatcher Law, a specialist in vehicle defect claims: "Water can get into the motorhome or camper van via a breached seal around doors, windows, a faulty water supply or skylights for example, or due to damage or a crack in the bodywork." This is a critical point for owners, especially those dealing with warranty claims or recent repair failures.

VW campervans have vulnerable spots, just like any make or model. Make sure you check the rubber in the seals around a pop-top roof canvas (often found on older models) as these can perish. Additionally the sliding door mechanisms can allow water to track inwards if there’s excessive debris build-up. Finally fresh water system pipework and pump systems can see fittings degrade over time, or come loose after hitting bumps with excess force.

The natural flexing of a VW’s body panels, as you drive, means that sealants should remain flexible and watertight. Cheap, degraded, and aged sealant becomes brittle and cracks when under duress, allowing for the influx of rainwater. This is why it’s essential to check all seams and joints regularly, particularly after multi-hour journeys or if you’ve been driving in rough road conditions.

How to prevent damp damage in your VW

Invest in a moisture meter

A quality moisture meter is one of the best investments you can make as a VW camper owner. These handy devices detect moisture levels beneath the surface before visible damage appears, giving you the chance to address problems early.

Professional meters don’t cost an awful lot upfront, and the peace of mind they provide can be invaluable. Test your van at least twice a year, ideally before storing it in winter, and once again when spring rolls around.

Consider focusing predominantly on high-risk areas: around windows, beneath beds, inside cupboards near exterior walls, and around any accessories like bike racks or awning rails where holes have been drilled through the bodywork.

As a general rule of thumb, moisture readings between 0-15% are normal for wood materials. Anything above 15% warrants a closer look, while 20% and above suggest that damp is actively present, and, as such, should be immediately investigated.

Ventilate regularly

Good airflow prevents condensation from becoming a damp problem. VW campervans, being relatively compact, are especially prone to condensation build up from cooking, showering, and even just breathing whilst you sleep with the doors closed.

Use your extractor fans religiously when cooking or showering. If your conversion doesn't have one, consider installing a roof vent fan, which makes an enormous difference. When cooking, keep saucepan lids on and turn down the heat to reduce steam. In the shower, crack open a window and keep the door closed to contain moisture. After showering or cooking, wipe down wet surfaces immediately with a dry cloth. The extra seconds you spend cleaning is preferable than months of damp damage.

If your VW sits unused for extended periods, make sure that every month, you open all doors, windows, and cupboards for at least an hour. Prop up cushions and mattresses to allow air circulation around them. This simple habit prevents that stale, damp smell from lingering and festering.

Make smart storage decisions

If possible, use a breathable cover rather than a waterproof tarpaulin to cover your campervan when stored away in winter. You want moisture that does get in (even if only minimal amounts) to be able to escape easily. Leave cupboard doors ajar, remove soft furnishings that trap moisture, and place moisture traps throughout the interior, to keep it at bay.

Some VW owners swear by bowls of salt or cat litter as budget-friendly moisture absorbers. Replace them regularly as they become saturated.

Treat damp and mould in your campervan

Discovering damp isn't the end of the world if you act quickly. Small patches of mould can be treated with specialist mould removal spray. Once dry, spray the area with a mixture of clove oil and water (roughly 10 drops per 500ml), leave for 20 minutes, then wipe clean. 

For more serious issues, particularly if the timber framing shows signs of rot, consult a professional to help. Approved caravan and motorhome repairers have the expertise and equipment to properly dry out structural components and reseal your van's bodywork. Attempting major repairs yourself often leads to recurring problems if the source isn't properly addressed.

Regular maintenance is far more cost-effective than extensive remedial work. Schedule an annual service where a specialist can check all the seals and identify problem areas prone to moisture damage. You’ll be grateful for the peace of mind.