White crystallized stuff

cindyrb · 06-11-2011, 07:28 PM

I have a travel trailer parked at a campground most of the time, and every time I come back after awhile, I am seeing white crystallized stuff in piles on the counter, table and floor! It looks like it is coming mostly from where the vents are at, but I am also finding it inside one of the cabinets! Any ideas?

TXiceman · 06-11-2011, 07:56 PM

What was the trailer used for prior to you getting it?

Is it a powder or a crystal?

If you have a friendly LEO, you might ask him to stop by and check a sample.

No seriously, hopefully it is some construction residue. Get a shop vacuum and vacuum all of the apparent sources and see if it improves things.

And if you start getting really happy and spaced out, you probably want to stop vacuuming...

Ken

ischua · 06-11-2011, 08:44 PM

You need figure out the composition of the powder. Mix some with water, what happens? does it float, sink or dissolve. Scrape some up in a piece of aluminum foil and take it out side. Touch the powder with a flame (match or BBQ lighter) If it melts and smells chemical, may be foam residue or does it burn and smells like paper or wood? I found blue dust piles from carpenter ants as they tunneled thru the foam in the walls in my MH. Carpenter ants will dump garbage(food waste and stuff) at one spot making piles. They eat fungus that lives on WET wood and it might mean you have a water leak

clueless campers · 06-11-2011, 09:28 PM

Check this thread.

dayle1 · 06-12-2011, 12:44 PM

Could be carpenter ants in the wood, but there are other types of ants that will bore into foam board to make a nest. Since most of the residue is under vents, they may be boring into the A/C duct which is likely made of rigid foam. They could be anywhere along the duct but the residue is falling out the vents. You should remove an A/C vent and run you hand or a wet paper towel along the inside of the duct to see if you find more of the same residue.

Had a similiar problem with foam board on a corner of my garage, the residue was right at the corner, but after removing the exterior siding, I had to replace several square feet of the foam board. The silver foil skin easily pulled away to reveal tunnels all thru the foam.

cindyrb · 06-13-2011, 05:27 AM

The stuff that is coming out does look like it could be foam board particles! I will check it out! Thanks!

**Route 66** · 06-13-2011, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clueless campers

Check this thread.

I don't think "clueless campers" are clueless on this one.

I too think it's insects of some sort.

GPW · 06-13-2011, 06:03 AM

We found the same thing ... turned out to be Ants ... a little bug spray and it seems they're gone ... for now ...

Why do ants like trailers? .... we don't keep any food in it ... Maybe the ants are attracted to the Formaldehyde ..

n9iui · 06-13-2011, 09:13 AM

We had the same problem in a Jayco Class C. Carpenter ants were actually in sight at times. I bought the little plastic bait stations and left them around and it got rid of the ants.
Unfortunately the ants were there because unknown to us the camper had had a roof leak prior to us buying it. It later started leaking again and we found damage within the walls and ceiling. The camper was ruined.
The previous post was correct. Suspect damage within your ceiling and CHECK YOUR ROOF!