How to fix soft spots in a mobile home floor
- Dealing with your floor covering and trim. First, you’ll need to clear away whatever is covering your floor. ...
- Taking out your subfloor. Your second step is to cut the subflooring away from the outer edges of the room. ...
- Part 2 of taking out your subfloor. ...
- Check your joists. ...
- The new floor. ...
- Covering your floor. ...
Can you repair a soft floor in an RV or camper?
Most often, it requires the old soft flooring to be removed, then a piece of new flooring put in its place. But the job can have some hidden surprises, and covering the old floor with thicker plywood may be the easiest answer. To learn more about repairing a soft floor in your camper or RV, just continue to read our article.
Why does my RV have soft spots on the floor?
Many folks who love—and preserve—an older RV have found a painful reality in their treasure: soft spots in their flooring. Usually the problem can be traced back to a water leak that’s compromised the integrity of the floor.
Is moisture damaging your RV floor?
Moisture can also do significant damage not just to your floor but to other parts of your RV as well. What is more alarming with such soft spots is that they may not compromise a small portion of the floor but a larger area when leaks are unchecked. Lets check out what to do with such soft spots, repairs and costs.
How do you replace a rotten camper floor?
Replace Rotten Camper Floor. 1 Step 1: What the Old Floor Looked Like. The floor was covered with roll vinyl. The most noticeable soft spot was in the back, not a big problem since ... 2 Step 2: Out With the Old. 3 Step 3: New Floor Framing. 4 Step 4: Galvanized Under Belly. 5 Step 5: Styrofoam Insulation. More items
Is it hard to fix a soft spot on a camper floor?
Replacing a bad spot in the floor is challenging, but not impossible for the do-it-yourselfer. It takes time and patience, and at times a bit of imagination. We'll walk you through the process. We recently undertook to solve a soft floor problem in our elderly travel trailer.
Why do campers get soft spots in floor?
The leading cause of a soft spot on your RV floor is water damage. Perhaps it's rain leaking into the RV, but sometimes it's your sinks and showers. Runoff from doing dishes and showering can cause soft spots in front of sinks and showers.
How do you replace the soft spot on an RV floor?
0:3113:01Soft spots in a RV/motorhome floor Bonded or sandwich floor fixYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAs you can see there I've those squares are 6 inches square. And then I've drilled the holes intoMoreAs you can see there I've those squares are 6 inches square. And then I've drilled the holes into the soft portions of it. Down just through the top layer of file on through the styrofoam.
How do you fix a soft spot on a trailer floor?
0:598:37Mobile Home Soft Floor Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith I use a multi-purpose wood cutting blade. Some kind of chisel that one there I believe is aMoreWith I use a multi-purpose wood cutting blade. Some kind of chisel that one there I believe is a vital if it isn't inch chisel inch nap chisel hammer screws and a couple scrap pieces of 2x4.
How much does it cost to replace camper floor?
If you want to replace your RV flooring, you could spend between $600 to $6,000 for the job. There are plenty of flooring options for you to consider. Some are cheaper, knocking the total project price down to less than $1k.
How do you fix a water damaged travel trailer?
Here are some helpful tips on how to restore your RV after water damage.Locate and Repair the Source of RV water damage. ... Clean Out Dirt. ... Remove Damaged Parts. ... Floor. ... Walls. ... Windows. ... Remove Any Mold Growth. ... Air Out Until Thoroughly Dry.More items...•
What kind of plywood do you use for camper floors?
Marine grade plywood is a good choice for trailer floors because it can withstand the wet and humid conditions often present in trailers.
How do you fix soft spots on vinyl plank flooring?
Drill a tiny hole in the middle of the soft spot and inject the foam under the planks. You may need to make more than one injection site if the area is large. 4. Remove any excess foam and cover the hole with a piece of duct tape until the foam underneath the boards sets up and becomes firm.
How do you replace a camper subfloor?
4:1210:25Ep. 7 DIY: Replacing subfloor in a camper. Life Goals - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd use the jack and the weight of the camper to kind of lift the cliff the wall back up enough toMoreAnd use the jack and the weight of the camper to kind of lift the cliff the wall back up enough to slide the board under these under that wall that we're gonna peel the skirt.
What does a soft spot on the floor mean?
Your floors are uneven or sunken in parts. If you notice a soft spot under carpet or wood flooring, it could mean that the panels below have weakened. While replacing the entire subfloor may not be necessary, you will have to replace the damaged pieces to prevent the rot from spreading.
How do you fix a soft subfloor?
0:3513:20DIY: Damaged Plywood Subfloor Repair/Patch - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd pop it up box it in with two by fours put the subfloor block back on or a new piece of plywoodMoreAnd pop it up box it in with two by fours put the subfloor block back on or a new piece of plywood if the other subfloor is damaged. And then screw it all back down. Now that one's done.
How do I fix my soft spot?
0:188:54How To Fix A Rotten Soft Spot In Your Boat's Floor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWherever you have solid floors you may have to use a tool to cut with make sure you don't cut allMoreWherever you have solid floors you may have to use a tool to cut with make sure you don't cut all the way through the hole through the floor of the boat.
Why is my floor getting soft?
If the floor feels springy and spongy when you walk, the subfloor might not be completely attached. Another reason for a soft floor could be from overextended joists; meaning the joists holding the house up are too long and not supported enough.
How often should I seal my camper roof?
about every two to four yearsHowever, you don't need to recoat the seal on your RV roof every six months. In fact, about every two to four years is ideal, depending on the kind of weather you have and the type of environment you drive through on a regular basis. Certain kinds of climates can cause more wear and tear on the roof than others.
How do you rebuild a camper floor?
6:5910:23RV REMODEL - Water Damage Floor Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe top off and cutting it off and then banging it through and I'm gonna replace them with some niceMoreThe top off and cutting it off and then banging it through and I'm gonna replace them with some nice stainless steel love carriage bolts. Now the last thing I did was to take a grinder.
What type of flooring is best for campers?
What Is the Best Type of Flooring for an RV? The best replacement flooring for RV is vinyl. It's a versatile material, and you can find vinyl tiles, sheets, and planks with simple installation systems. Vinyl is durable and water-resistant.
Can you use dimensional lumber to replace plywood?
You’ll need to create a new base of support for your replacement plywood. In some cases, you may be able to use suitably sized dimensional lumber to create new floor joists, but there will be areas where you can’t run and attach them to the existing joist system.
Can you leave old plywood out of a hole?
From there it was a matter of using a pry bar and hammer to wrench the old plywood out of the hole, as the manufacturer had used plenty of long staples to install the original plywood decking. If at all possible, it’s best to leave the old plywood intact, as opposed to beating it into little pieces.
What causes water leaks in mobile homes?
Typically, the biggest culprits in a mobile home when it comes to water leakage are bathroom appliances, other household appliances, and windows, the worst of those being bathroom appliances. If you’re finding soft spots in your bathroom floor, check your sink, bathtub, and toilet to see if any water leaks are occurring.
Can a mobile home leak water?
If you do find water leaks, it’s a good idea to have them fixed as quickly as possible, since water issues are the bane of a mobile home’s existence. Washing machines are another frequent origin of water leaks. There are a host of things that could be causing a washing machine to leak. Sometimes, it involves what kind of machine you have.
Can mobile home windows leak?
Mobile home windows also have a tendency to leak and may be allowing water to run down onto your floor, where it seeps into the flooring and begins to create soft spots. This should be a simple fix. It may require nothing more than simply sealing small gaps around your window panes with caulk.
Do you need to affix boards between joists?
You’ll also need to affix extra boards between your joists. This will give you something to attach your flooring to, and it’ll ultimately strengthen your new floor. Throughout the process, make sure that your floor is level.
Can water spills cause soft spots?
Soft spots can also form in areas where water is allowed to accumulate. For example, if you consistently keep a pet’s water dish in one area, any spills that aren’t cleaned up quickly enough might begin causing problems. To be on the safe side, always clean up water spills as soon as possible, and be on the lookout for developing soft spots in areas near standing water.
How long does RV flooring last?
RV floors can last for years, even extending up to twenty years or longer, but because of each owner’s usage, maintenance, and moisture it is exposed to, it now varies. It is easy to replace the flooring, but you have to be ready for the expenses and the time you have to wait for it to get repaired.
What does it mean when a RV floor is cupping?
Your RV’s humidity could be excessive. There is an available humidifier that can be useful for such instances. It can also mean that there is water underneath and requires hardwood drying to eliminate the moisture.
How to tell if water damage is leaking in RV?
Walk slowly on the RV floor and see if there are changes, whilst walking in each section. Inspect the pipes, vents, and other water sources to make sure that nothing is leaking. If you need to take a peek underneath the carpets, do so.
What does it mean when your RV smells?
Smell of mold and mildew. It is a sign of water damage and may not just involve your floor. It may also extend to the walls. If you have a carpeted floor, the issue may be hiding underneath. If there is no soft spot on your floor, but there is a musty smell, this is also a sign of moisture somewhere in your RV.
Why is plywood soaked in water?
The plywood underneath could have soaked in water for some time, and you failed to notice it. Usually, the culprit is a leak from pipes, vents, or ducts. There may also be some leaks coming from the sink, under windows, or another water source.
What are the problems with RV floors in 2021?
No matter how much you take care of your beloved RV, it can have problems eventually. One problem that most RV owners encounter is soft spots on the flooring. These spots can be sunken floor areas or floors that drop slightly when you walk over them. Soft pots on RV floor are signs that the floor has some water ...
Can you use a humidifier on an RV?
Sometimes using cleaning materials that soak on the floor underneath can also cause some harm. Using cleaners to dry the floor fast is ideal as well as using a humidifier to remove moisture in the RV’s interior will be helpful. Spills need immediate cleaning as they will soak the carpet and will cause floor dampness.
Presence of water
The main reason for soft spots on the camper’s floor is the long-term accumulation of water.
Manufacturing faults
The manufacturing process is always typical in RVs for their regular maintenance. People also install new things in them according to their comfortability and easiness.
Overuse of detergents
Maintaining cleanliness in your RVs is better because dust accumulation is harmful. The accumulation of dust particles increases the risk of damage to electrical appliances and reduces their efficiency.
Floors are old
They are the significant component of vehicles you can replace after a long time. For example, many campers have wooden floors because they are less weather-resistant.
Using Carpets on camper floor
People use carpets on their floors in different colors and designs to give a luxurious look to the interior.
Storing Camper for a long duration
Most people use campers for weekend trips, and otherwise, they remain in the parking area. The floors that remain unused for a long time their surface become fragile.
Step 1: What the Old Floor Looked Like
The floor was covered with roll vinyl. The most noticeable soft spot was in the back, not a big problem since it was under the bed. The white corner under the bench seat shows you the type of rot the camper had. The sub-floor was particle board that had been wet too long.
Step 2: Out With the Old
So I was able to pull the camper into the garage and open it up. Then I used hydraulic jacks to raise it up on jack stands. Please use proper jack stands and NEVER work under the trailer with only jacks holding it up. Once up on the stands I pulled up the old vinyl roll flooring. Underneath I found a mix of plywood and the original particle board.
Step 3: New Floor Framing
At the edges I screwed 4" wide plywood to form "tabs" that the new sub floor could fasten to. Also I planned to insulate the floor with 3" of Styrofoam. I had a big stack of 3" mahogany strips, but any solid wood should work.
Step 4: Galvanized Under Belly
To protect the Styrofoam from the road a friend helped me cut and bend sheets of galvanized sheet metal. This is the type of metal used for heating ducts and is fairly easy to work with. Do wear gloves, the edges can cut you when you least expect it.
Step 5: Styrofoam Insulation
With all the sheet metal panels in place I cut the Styrofoam on the table saw to fit. The foam is easy to cut, but be careful, the saw blade can grab it away from you, keep your fingers safe! Can you believe it, 3" of empty space and the trailer company never thought to fill it with insulation??
Step 6: New Sub Floor
I used 6mm ( 1/4" ) plywood meant for tile under layment for the new sub floor. I used construction glue everywhere and lots of screws. Be sure to counter sink for the flat head screws so they don't stick up where the new bamboo floor needs to lay flat.
Step 7: New Bamboo Flooring
So starting on the left side of the camper I snapped a chalk line to have a straight line for reference. Then I trimmed the bamboo strips to fit against the cabinets and match the straight chalk line. I used screws to hold the flooring down. I used #2 x 3/4" stainless steel flat head wood screws and pre drilled all the holes on the drill press.
