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In this Issue you will find:
1.
Dehumidifiers
and Ventilation not just for Summer Use
2. RV Winterizing
 Dehumidifiers
and Ventilation not just for Summer Use but important for Fall use too:
Boating and RV season is winding down, but don't let your guard down
with cooler temps and lower humidity levels. Unexpected and extended
period of warm, humid weather can create ideal conditions for mold and
mildew growth in your boat or RVs interior.
For boat and RV owners, Fall means hot and cold temperatures, dry and
humid weather. Fall can create havoc in your boat or RVs interior.
Unexpected and extended period of warm humid weather can create ideal
conditions for mold and mildew growth in your boat or RVs interior.
So if you aren't careful you could find that mildew has crept in.
While your boat or RV experiences limited use during the Fall season don't
forget to continue to ventilate and use a dehumidifier to keep humidity
levels down and to keep mold and mildew at bay. Your dehumidifier
will help keep humidity levels (between 50% to 60% RH recommended) during
extended periods of warm humid weather and help to prevent mold and mildew
growth in your boat or RVs interior.
Well, don't despair, we have put together a mold and mildew prevention
program to employ during Fall.
Emphasis
is on using a dehumidifier to prevent mold and mildew during Fall.
PS this is not a winterizing article
1. Keep Ventilating your boat or RV.
Crank those ports and hatches open, or use exhaust
fans to vent air outside. If you don't have exhaust fans use fans to
circulate the air.
2. Use a dehumidifier in your boat or RV to maintain
low humidity levels.
When you need to close the boat or RV, use a
dehumidifier to maintain low humidity levels (between 50% to 60% RH
recommended) during
extended periods of warm humid weather which can create ideal conditions
for mold and mildew growth in your boat or RVs interior.
3. Continue to Clean and Dry out the boat or RV:
Dirt, Grime, and humidity are ideal breeding grounds for mold and mildew
So keep your boat or RV Clean and this involves both exterior and interior
surfaces where mold and mildew are present. And NO, there is no work
around here for water and detergent, and lots of elbow grease, OK, so just
break out the soap, water, buckets, rags, brushes, and start cleaning.
Do use cleaning and prep products recommended for marine and RV use.
Do have adequate ventilation when using harsh cleaning agents. Limit
your exposure to mold by wearing gloves, a respirator and goggles.
In most cases, common household cleaning products and disinfectants are
used for this task. The EPA recommends detergent and water. If you prefer
a variety of marine cleaning products are available for mold cleanup and
mold prevention at your marine store. Available also are environmentally
friendly, biodegradable cleaning products.
The cleanup process involves thorough washing of the walls, floors,
ceilings, paneling, closets, shelves, cabinets and contents of your boat
or RV. Pay close attention to showers and galley counters, areas around
the head, curtains, canvas materials and carpets, as these are highly
susceptible to mold and mildew.
Clean moldy shower curtains, or remove them and scrub well with a
household cleaner and rinse before re-hanging them. Carpets are especially
difficult to clean and dry. If you cannot adequately clean and dry these
out consider replacing them.
Empty dehumidifier or air conditioning drain pans and clean.
Dry out everything.
After washing everything, dry out the interior and equipment in your boat
or RV.
Use exhaust fans in the bathroom and galley to vent humid air to the
outside. A clean dry cloth, fans or air blowers helps speed up the drying
process. Open hatchet, portholes, doors, etc. to speed up the drying
process.
Dry out carpeting, sails, cushions, life jackets and other equipment
before storing.
4. Remove and Store items susceptible to mold and
mildew in your boat or RV
If you are not planning on using your boat or RV
during the Fall then Remove and Store bedding materials, cushions,
curtains, pfds, canvas and sails in a dry room in at home or storage area.
These are susceptible to mold and mildew growth.
5. Continue to Prep surfaces to keep mold and mildew at bay.
This is an important step, otherwise, all that cleaning will come to
naught if you don't prep your surfaces. After cleaning and drying
out your surfaces, prep the surface with mold or mildew block. This is a
great step you can take to help prevent the growth of mold and mildew in
your boat or RV. Mold and mildew block products such as 3M's Marine Mildew
Block, that are designed for marine or RV usage, help prevent mold and
mildew growth, by forming a protective, surface barrier against moisture
and dirt (the root source for mold and mildew growth), and thus help
prevent mold and mildew from taking root.
Prep surfaces such as canvas, cushions, carpet and other fabrics. Wood and
vinyl surfaces should also be treated. Don't treat wood or ceramic floors
or walkways, since these may become slippery. Prep walls and surfaces in
high humidity areas such as the head and galley.
You are almost done. However, I must advise you, that cleaning and
prepping is only a couple of steps in an overall mold prevention program.
If you want to see the complete mold prevention program, you can use to
keep your boat or RV mildew free, see our
"Mold Prevention Program for the prevention of mold and mildew growth in
your boat or RV".
For a complete mold prevention program
go here. You'll find a Dehumidifier Program for the prevention of
mold and mildew growth in your boat or RV.
RV Winterizing
By mark Polk
Fall is the time of year you need to decide if your camping season is
over. Parking your RV for the winter requires some preventive measures
so it will be ready to use next spring. You’ll also be glad you did it
when you don’t have costly repair bills due to the damaging results of
winter. Now the question is how do you prepare it for winter, and who
will be doing it? If you’re like me and you enjoy performing the routine
maintenance on your RV, not to mention saving a few dollars, the “who”
part is answered. As for the “how” part, this checklist is the same one
I used to make our Winterizing & Storing video. I feel it is the easiest
and most effective way to winterize your RV. Before you get started
there are a few items you will need to have. These items can be found in
most RV parts stores:
* Non-toxic RV antifreeze (the amount depends on the layout and
length of your plumbing lines. 2 to 3 gallons will normally do).
* A water heater by-pass kit, if not already installed.
* A water pump converter kit, or tubing to connect to the inlet side
of the water pump.
* Basic hand tools to remove drain plugs.
Now we can winterize the RV water system to protect it from freezing.
Be sure to read your owners manuals for unit specific winterizing
guidelines. Follow the steps below that apply to your RV.
* If you have any inline water filters remove and bypass them before
starting.
* Drain the fresh water holding tank.
* Drain and flush the gray and black holding tanks. Clean the black
tank with a wand. Lubricate the termination valves.
* Drain the water heater. CAUTION: Never drain when hot or under
pressure.
* Open all hot and cold faucets; don't forget the toilet valve and
outside shower.
* Locate and open low point drain lines. Using the water pump will
help force water out, but turn it off as soon as the system is drained.
* Recap all drains and close all faucets.
* By-pass the water heater. If you do not have a by-pass kit
installed the water heater will fill up with antifreeze before it goes
through the water lines, wasting six gallons of antifreeze.
* Install a water pump converter kit, or disconnect the inlet side of
the pump (the line coming from the fresh water holding tank) and connect
tubing from the pump into a gallon of RV antifreeze.
* Turn the water pump on and pressurize the system. Starting with the
closest faucet slowly open the hot and then cold valves until antifreeze
appears. Replace antifreeze jug as required.
* Repeat on all faucets from the closest to farthest away. Don't
forget the outside shower.
* Flush the toilet until antifreeze appears.
* Turn the water pump off and open a faucet to release the pressure.
Go to the city water inlet.
* Remove the small screen over the inlet and push in on the valve
with a small screwdriver until you see antifreeze. Replace the screen.
* Pour a cupful of antifreeze down each drain. Pour a few cups in the
toilet and flush into the holding tank.
* If your water heater has an electric heating element turn it off.
This will protect the element if the unit is plugged in while being
stored.
* Make sure all faucets are closed.
* Consult your owner manuals for winterizing ice makers and washing
machines.
Your RV is winterized
This checklist is a basic guide that was intended to assist you in
winterizing your RV. As with many other checklists it would be
impossible to cover every RV. It is extremely important that you read
your owner’s manuals for unit specific winterizing guidelines.
Happy Camping!
Mark
Copyright 2006 by Mark J. Polk, owner of RV Education 101
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