Living Quarters; Prolonged Occupancy; Condensation And Humidity - forest river Forester Owner's Manual

LIVING QUARTERS

Prolonged Occupancy

Your recreational vehicle was designed for recreational
use and short-term occupancy. If you expect to occupy
your RV for an extended period of time, be prepared to
deal with condensation and the humid conditions that
may be encountered.

Condensation and Humidity

Condensation is the change of water from its gaseous
form (water vapor) into liquid water. Just as moisture col-
lects on the outside of a glass of cold water during humid
weather, moisture can condense on the inside surfaces
of your camper. This condition is increased due to the
small volume of space and the airtight construction of
your camper.
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Mold occurs when condensation is left for pro-
longed periods of time and is extremely difficult to
kill. Controlling condensation inside your RV is the
best way to avoid not only mold but dampness as
well, both of which can cause damage to your RV
and/or its contents.
Condensation can infiltrate the insulation, motors, and
working parts of appliances or plumbing pipes to name a
few. Even though you may not see condensation, it may
be inside the walls, cupboards or under the floor, so it is
best to take every precaution to avoid it occurring. Gen-
erally, an area that is dark, and where moisture can
accumulate, is the most likely spot for mold to grow.
It is especially important when storing your RV or if you
do not anticipate using it for an extended period of time
to air it out. Empty the refrigerator and freezer and dry
them completely. Dry the inside of the shower and
shower head.
Check for any leaks at the kitchen sink, toilet and bath-
room sink. It's also a good idea to check your RV periodi-
cally to ensure there is no condensation forming on the
windows, which would indicate there is too much mois-
ture in your RV.
If you see signs of excessive condensation, take the nec-
essary steps to remove the moisture to prevent possible
damage to the contents or the RV itself.
Below are tips to help contain humidity in your trailer:
1. Keep indoor humidity low-if possible below 60%
(ideally between 30 and 50%) relative humidity.
Relative humidity can be measured with a moisture
or humidity meter. The meter is a small, inexpen-
sive ($10-$50) instrument available at most hard-
ware stores. Some larger campground stores may
also have the meters.
2. Consider using a small dehumidifier to help rid the
RV of moisture.
3. Avoid allowing wet clothing to hang, creating a
potential breeding ground for mold.
4. When showering or bathing, open the roof vents or
turn on a fan to allow steam and moisture to
escape. Wipe down the shower walls to prevent
water evaporation.
5. Be sure there are no obstructions in any vents and
that all vents are properly sealed. Pay particular
attention to appliances that produce moisture, such
as air conditioners, shower, oven vents, and clothes
dryer vents.
6. Try using the microwave oven instead of the
stovetop to boil water or soups for long periods. If
you choose to use the stove to boil water or soup,
open a window or a vent slightly (even in cold
weather) to provide a passage for the air to flow.
This will also help restrict the humidity.
7. Try to recirculate the air by using vent fans or small
oscillating fans or your furnace fan. If condensation
occurs, keep the windows clean in order to prevent
the growth of mold and mildew.
8. Do not use a ceramic heater as it provides no air
movement, which will not aid in ridding the RV of
condensation.
Damage caused by mold or mildew is a mainte-
nance issue and is not warrantable. You as the
owner, are responsible for proper maintenance of
your RV. Controlling humidity inside your RV will
help to prevent damage which may occur due to
neglect.
NOTE:
When it rains, water may collect in the bottom of the win-
dow frame and drain out the weep holes, made for that
purpose. If your RV is not level, the water may not drain
out properly. This could cause water damage to the win-
dow or wall and could breed mold due to condensation.
NOTE:
If you have water and/or mold damage caused by sew-
age or other contaminated water, it is best to call in a
professional who has experience cleaning living spaces
damaged by contaminated water.
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