Drying out soaked carpets?

[ArcherII]

Hi All,

Just got the plane back from its anual (where I assume it was left outside in the bad weather without the cover on, unfortunately), and the brand new carpets are absolutely soaked through.

Any good tips on drying them out? I've left the doors open (it's inside the hangar) for now, but I reckon it would be many mould-inducing weeks before it'll start to dry like that. I don't want to leave a fan heater on in there, incase it catches fire.

Any suggestions very much appreciated.

[Lefty]

If you don't want to take all the carpets out - you need to hire an industrial dehumidifier / dryer. (The type you hire to dry out new buildings after builders / plasterers have been in your house).

[foxmoth]

Take it back to the guys that did the annual - IMHO not acceptable to return an ac in that state, unless of course you gave it them like that! After all, would you accept your car back from a garage like that??

[ArcherII]

I'll see what they have to say. I've asked them how it happened, and if they have any tips for drying it out.

First time I've used them, but they seem excellent, so fingers crossed.

I agree, I wouldn't personally be happy to return a plane like that. They probably didn't realise.

Thanks Lefty. That sounds like a good idea to me.

[Pete S]

Have you considered buying a small electric dehumidifier to keep in the a/c once they're dried out to keep a/c that way?

We use one with all year round in combination with a small 'cabinet heater' in the winter (to prevent the dehumidifier from freezing) and avionics problems/condensation are a thing of the past.

Peter

[ArcherII]

Pete, that sounds awesome. Don't suppose you can suggest a unit?

Is there not a bit of a risk of a fire?

[Colin G]

You'll have to remove them to dry them otherwise you'll get mould growth which will smell forever.
I'd be having a word with the maintenance co. and asking what they plan to do.
Willing to share which maint co. it was?

[ArcherII]

Colin,

They've been great so far, and everyone can make a mistake. So I won't say who they are on this thread at this stage as it could give them a bad name. For all I know, tomorrow when they get in they'll email me back saying "oh my god! I'm so sorry! We should have put the cover on! We're sending a guy up to your airfield now to take the carpets out and will sort it."

So it wouldn't be fair to "name and shame" as yet!

The company that supplied the carpets has given me the same advice as you though - take them out quickly, and hang them to dry. Major pain in the bum.

[Colin G]

Having dragged my fair share of cars out of the floods in the last 20 years, any that we're repaired had new carpets fitted. The main concern was the risk of hepatitis from the flood waters and the risk of bacteria from mould spores.

If you manage to get the carpets out quickly, borax can be used to slow down and possibly kill the mould spores.
Increasing the temperature to dry the carpets can accelerate the mould growth. Dehumidifiers are the best option to dry the carpet if it's to be done.

[JoeC]

Did you let them know that the aircraft leaked if left outside without the cover? If so, I'd be expecting the maintenance outfit to be sorting this out.

[gyrotyro]

Do not let them dry in the aircraft.

I had a Twin Comanche that was subject to major wing spar corrosion and wrote off the aircraft after someone let them dry in situ.

If I can find the photos I will post them, it will scare you to death!

[Flyin'Dutch']

Did you let them know that the aircraft leaked if left outside without the cover? If so, I'd be expecting the maintenance outfit to be sorting this out.

Unless the aeroplane is of the cabriolet variety or the maintenance company had been told that it leaked when out in the rain, I would not expect them to guess that rain causes the interior to get wet.

So unless it was agreed that it was going to hangared it would not be their problem - although a good maintenance company in the situation would be willing to help to sort out the current situation and more importantly, remedy the cause.

[ArcherII]

To be honest, I didn't / don't know whether it leaks or not as it's always hangared. But I certainly wouldn't leave it outside in the recent weather for days on end without the cover on. When I dropped it off I made mention that due to the rush I hadn't had time to put the cover on (this was 6 weeks ago in glorious weather), but I certainly didn't say 'please put the cover on when it's outside'.

Like I say, I was very impressed with them in general and don't want to give them a hard time, but I did also notice that the controls were not locked either and assume it must have been outside during the huge winds about a week ago.

This is the first aeroplane I've owned, so I really don't know whether this should be down to the maintenance guys or not.

I'll have a chat with them tomorrow morning. Thanks for all the advice.

[hatzflyer]

They have a duty of care once the aircraft is left with them and they must have moved it in and out of the hangar . If they left it outside wthout control locks in the recent storms / high winds that would rate as negligence.

Whilst you as an owner would not reasonably be expected to know what precise damage could have been caused, an aircraft engineer would be .

Controls flapping in high winds can distort , they can brake or bend stops (which are there for a reason).I have seen them deflect to the point where they loosen rivets or even tear aluminium skins.

At best, if they have left it outside without checking it long enough for it to fill with water that is negligent. If the winds have damaged the controls it could lead to early failure of a crucial part and I would suggest it needs inspecting.

[Waveflyer]

To dry out your carpets just about any dehumidifier will do so long as you keep the cabin closed. An industrial model may be a bit OTT.

Same as Pete S says. I've used one of these small machines (see link) since I bought the aircraft and they are worth far more than they cost. It really must have an impact on keeping the electronics in good nick.

http://www.coopersofstortford.co.uk/src ... dst05844i/