how to prevent mold in my truck

[brother chris]

I have a leak in my truck. <br />When it rains, the floor-boards, on both sides of the truck have at least 1" of water on the floor.<br />I cannot seem to find where the water is coming in from. <br />Looks like I will have to check the engine compartment(firewall), because the water is not coming in from around the front window. <br />My truck presently is in storage, until I get it fixed next month, then it is back on the road.<br />The truck seats and floor are getting covered in mold because it has been sitting for a couple months. <br />I have put newspaper on the floor, and I change the newspaper every couple days. I also have a tarp over the front of the truck too.<br /> <br />Does anyone have any idea how I can get rid of the mold, and prevent anymore from appearing. <br />I won't be able to get a look at the firewall until this weekend.<br /><br />Thanks in advance.<br />B.C.

 

[ndemge]

Re: how to prevent mold in my truck

If your going to leave it for a month.... assuming it's not a new truck, heck, just drill a hole in the floor so it drains <br /><br />...this coming from soneone who's newest car is 12 years old

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: how to prevent mold in my truck

I'm sure that Noel is joking but I did that with my 66 GMC. The gas tank developed a leak and its in the cab. One of the corners had a little rust anyhow so I just knocked a hole in it with the s crewdriver. This was just for a day till I could pull the tank and the truck only sat at home. I could see someone doing this as a fix though, esp me.

 

[brother chris]

Re: how to prevent mold in my truck

I have thought about drilling a hole in the floor.<br />The truck is a 1991 Chevy S-10. It's still a nice truck, so no driling holes in the floor.....yet.<br /><br />But is there anything that I can put in the truck that will lessen the dampness? <br />Manufacturers put little white packages in boxes to prevent dampness(I don't know what is inside the white packages). I was just wondering if there was anything like that, that I could put in the truck. <br />I don't think that there is any use of putting my dehumidifier in there, if the leak is still there.<br />I plan on putting the dehumidifier in it, about a week before I take it to the shop and hopefully the leak will be fixed by then anyhow.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: how to prevent mold in my truck

Nothing's going to keep the dampness down if water is still leaking in. Can you put a tarp over it?<br /><br />I just noticed this exact same problem in my truck. Not nearly as much water, but mold is starting to grow. I'm going to put a small propane heater in it tomarrow and see if I can dry it out.<br /><br />Just part of the ever evolving smell inside an old truck...

 

[brother chris]

Re: how to prevent mold in my truck

Well, the truck was left parked for the last 2-3 months. I had bought a used Toyota for the time being, while I fixed my truck.<br />But, during that time, I never put a tarp on it, so there was water up to the bottom of the door, when I opened the door last weekend.<br />So I have drained it of as much water as possible and cleaned the seats, but the mold is coming back.<br />I do have a tarp over it now, but I want to get rid of the excess water/moisture in it.<br />I just don't have time to look at it(and see if I can find the leak and fix it), until this weekend.<br />I just thought somone might have a quick-fix to get moisture out of a vehicle.

 

[ehenry]

Re: how to prevent mold in my truck

If i had to guess its your windshield leaking around the seal... Mine did that...only way to fix it is remover the windshield and reseal it. Bad part is that you'll have to buy a new windshield.

 

[EZLoader]

Re: how to prevent mold in my truck

Cover it up to stop further moisture, put a fan in there to dry it out, and then put in a "Dry the Air" chemical dehumdifier. They really work to keep the moisture down below mildew levels.<br /><br /> Dry The Air (an Iboats sponsor)

 

[brother chris]

Re: how to prevent mold in my truck

Thanks EZLoader,<br />I checked out the site...only one problem. <br />The crystals cost $6.99, but with shipping costs, I have 3 choices......$27.69(USPS Global Express), $23.79(Airmail), or $25.79(USPS economy).<br />I think I will try to locate the same product here in Canada. <br />Thanks though, I do appreciate it.<br />B.C.<br />That was basically what I was looking for.

 

[KRS]

Re: how to prevent mold in my truck

Find a rubber grommet at the auto parts store, then drill a hole in each floorboard that matches the grommet, when the problem is solved, then instal the grommet and it's good.

 

[magster65]

Re: how to prevent mold in my truck

Get a buddy with a hose and start running it around all the places it may get through the firewall, door seals, winshield... etc. and look from the inside. Is the water on the floor on both sides of the trans tunnel? My guess is that the front cowling at the front of the winshield has issues. Look for clues. As for the mold, once the leak is stopped, use an upholstery cleaner and then dry it (lift the carpets). <br />For those who don't know, we've had heavy heavy rainfall in this area for 25 days in a row!

 

[brother chris]

Re: how to prevent mold in my truck

Good idea KRS, but hopefully I will be able to find the leak this weekend.<br />Magster: Yeah, that is what we are going to try on Sat.<br />I am going to have a friend pour some water on the front part of the windshield and see if I can locate the leak. <br />And don't you just love our weather magster....I think it will stop raining sometime in June.

 

[stlouis_g]

Re: how to prevent mold in my truck

Mold needs an organic food source. I would take everyting out of the truck that is realitivly easy to remove floor mats, and if there is carpet on the floor take that out. Newspapers are probably not a good idea. <br /><br />Once the leak is fixed you can clean the upholstry with a carpet cleaner. <br /><br />Greg

 

[dolluper]

Re: how to prevent mold in my truck

Move to a drier climate