FOUR WINDS INTERNATIONAL
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
98
Tips to Controlling Condensation
To avoid condensation problems, try to follow these tips to help alleviate excess moisture:
• Allow excess moisture to escape to the outside when bathing, washing dishes, hair drying,
laundering, and using appliances and non-vented gas burners.
• Always use the vent hood when cooking.
• Keep the bathroom door closed and the vent or window open when bathing and for a period of
time after you have finished.
• Do not hang wet clothes in the vehicle to dry.
• In hot weather, start the air conditioner early as it removes excess humidity from the air while
lowering the temperature.
• Keep the temperature as reasonably cool during cold weather as possible. The warmer the
vehicle, the more cold exterior temperatures and warm interior temperatures will collide on
wall surfaces, thus creating condensation.
• Use a fan to keep air circulation inside the vehicle so condensation and mildew cannot form
in dead air spaces. Allow air to circulate inside closets and cabinets (leave doors partially
open). Please keep in mind that a closed cabinet full of stored goods prevents circulation and
allow the exterior temperature to cause condensation.
• The natural tendency would be to close the vehicle tightly during cold weather. This will
actually compound the problem. Simply put, you need to remove some of the warm air,
and allow some cool outside air to get inside the vehicle, so the furnace will not recycle the
humid interior air.
• Use fluorescent ceiling lights and minimize prolonged use of incandescent lights, which
produce heat and contribute to condensation in the roof above the ceiling lights.
Avoid Drastic Thermostat Setbacks
Cooler surface temperatures increase the potential for condensation and surface mold growth. To minimize
the opportunity for condensation to form on interior surfaces, maintain a comfortable temperature in the motor
home, and avoid nighttime setbacks of 10° or more. Drastic setbacks that reduce the indoor air temperature
quickly can increase the chance for airborne moisture to condense on cool surfaces such as windows. If
you are away from the motor home for an extended number of days, we recommend that you do not set the
temperature back without taking other measures to manage relative humidity, including operating a dehumidifier
with a continuous drain.
Carpet Care And Moisture Management
The carpet should be cleaned when it shows signs of discoloration or traffic patterns. The use of a professional
steam cleaning system is recommended for cleaning the carpet, unless otherwise noted. To manage moisture
from the cleaning process, the cleaning system needs to be capable of extracting the excess water from the
carpet after it has been cleaned. Important: Be sure the carpet is thoroughly dry before closing the motor home
for storage. Water from the cleaning process can cause significant damage to the motor home if the carpet is
not completely dry before closing up the motor home for an extended period.
Exterior Care of the Motor Home
The exterior shell of the motor home is the primary weather and moisture barrier. Over the life of the motor
home, the shell will require regular care and maintenance. The shell includes the roof, sidewalls, windows,
doors and under carriage of the motor home. Particular attention needs to be devoted to ensure these
components are maintained to ensure a tight barrier against bulk water intrusion.
The shell should be inspected periodically for tears, gaps, and condition of sealants. Areas that require
maintenance should be resealed utilizing a proven, high quality sealant of similar characteristics as the original
sealant.
Particular attention should be devoted to ensure the slide outs are functioning properly. Each time a slide out
is used, it should be inspected to ensure proper operation and sealing. The slide out gaskets should also be
inspected to ensure proper sealing when the slide out is operated.
