Dripping Ceiling Vents; Important Information; What The Rv Owner Can Do - Fleetwood Discovery 2008 Owner's Manual

Living With Your Motor Home
To increase ventilation:
1.
Use the kitchen and bath exhaust fans, if
equipped, when cooking or bathing. Let
them run for a while after a bath or meal.
2. Ventilate with outside
air.
Partially open
one or more roof vents andlor windows to
provide circulation of outside air into the
interior. While this ventilation will
increase furnace heating load, it will
greatly reduce, or eliminate, condensation.
Even when it is raining or snowing, out-
side air will be far drier than interior air
and will effectively reduce condensation.
3. Do not tape windows or doors closed.
This will prevent any air movement and
will make the condensation problem
worse.
4. Ventilate closets and cabinets. During
use in cold weather, leave cabinet and
closet doors partially open to warm and
ventilate the interiors of storage com-
partments built against exterior walls.
The air flow will warm the exterior wall
surface, and reduce condensation, and
prevent possible ice formation. Avoid
crowding closets or wardrobe space.
Overstuffed closets restrict air flow.
5. Stock kitchen and bath cabinets to allow
free air circulation.
6. Open window coverings and windows
as often as possible and convenient.
7. Control the interior heat. Here are some
tips on controlling humidity with heat:
• Keep registers and the furnace blower
clean and unobstructed. This helps air
circulation.
• Do not operate a humidity device on
your furnace.
Dripping Ceiling Vents
During cold weather condensation frequently
forms on ceiling vents and may even accumulate
to the point of dripping onto the surfaces below.
This is frequently misinterpreted as a "leaking"
06-10
roof vent but is most often condensation drip-
page. Follow the preceding steps to control
moisture condensation, and protect surfaces with
plastic sheeting until the moisture has dissipated.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Mold is a fungus that occurs naturally in the
environment and serves necessary functions
including aiding in the decomposition of plant and
other organic material. Mold spreads by means of
microscopic spores borne on the wind and is
found everywhere life can be supported. Mold has
existed for millions of years, and human beings
have coexisted despite their exposure to mold and
mold spores.
If the proper conditions are present, mold can and
will grow in your recreational vehicle. Most RV
owners are familiar with mold growth in the form
of bread and cheese and on bathroom tile. In order
to grow, mold requires a food source. These food
sources might be supplied by items found in the
RV such as fabric, carpet, wallpaper, or building
materials (i.e., wood, and insulation). Also, most
mold growth requires a temperate climate. The
best growth occurs at temperatures between 40°F
and lOO"F. Most importantly, mold growth
requires moisture, and moisture is the only growth
factor that can be controlled. By minimizing inte-
rior sources of moisture, an RV owner can reduce
or prevent mold growth. However, if optimal
growth conditions persist, mold can develop
within 24 to 48 hours.
Moisture in the RV can stem from a variety of
sources such as spills, leaks, overflows, condensa-
tion, damp or standing water and human activity
such as showering or cooking. Good maintenance
practices are essential in the effort to prevent or
reduce mold growth.
What the RV Owner Can Do
The RV owner can take positive steps to reduce
the occurrence of mold growth in the RV and
thereby minimize any possible adverse effects
that may be caused by mold.
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