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. ...
Why do I have soft spots in my RV floor?
Why do campers get soft spots in the floor? A spongy RV floor indicates rot in the subflooring — usually the plywood underneath the laminate, tile, or carpet. This is most often caused by water damage, which may be only one small part of larger damages caused by water.
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.
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 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.
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.
How do you fix a soft floor in a travel trailer?
How to Replace Rotted Wood Flooring in a Travel Trailer: 6 StepsDiscover the full extent of the damage. ... Remove the areas that are badly damaged. ... Dry out the wood framing. ... Apply a product that kills mold. ... Seal the wood with diluted epoxy resin. ... Add or replace the wood frame and flooring.
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 fix a soft spot on an RV?
How To Fix Major Soft Spot DamageStep 1: Inspect your RV roof thoroughly. ... Step 2: Remove all roof vents and fixtures. ... Step 3: Remove top layer and insulation. ... Step 4: Replace rotted/damaged wooden beams and identify the source of the leaks. ... Step 5: Install new roof and insulation.More items...
What kind of plywood do you use for camper floors?
Recreational vehicle (RV) manufacturers use APA trademarked plywood and OSB (oriented strand board) structural panels in motor homes and mini-homes, in travel trailers, fifth-wheel trailers and tent trailers, in vans, pickup campers and all kinds of special-order, custom-made and converted units.
How much does it cost to replace floor in travel trailer?
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...•
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.
How do you fix water damaged laminate flooring?
Remove thresholds or shoe molding that overlap your damaged flooring. Remove damaged pieces of flooring, while protecting the good ones. Sweep off the underlayment. Apply glue to new pieces according to manufacturer's instructions.
What are camper floors made of?
Travel trailers and RVs are typically manufactured with flooring made of particle board. This material is made from wood chips and a water-based glue. The two components are pressed together, then quickly dried so the resulting board retains its shape.
What is the best flooring to put in a RV?
vinylWhat 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.
How do you stiffen a camper floor?
0:3113:01Soft spots in a RV/motorhome floor Bonded or sandwich floor fixYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI'm already started injecting epoxy into a portion of the floor. As you can see there I've thoseMoreI'm already started injecting epoxy into a portion of the floor. As 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.
How thick is the plywood on an RV floor?
It is 5/8" ply.
How do you replace an RV subfloor?
0:392:54RV Renovation// Water Damage Subfloor Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou want to take a circular saw set it to just the depth of the plywood. You don't want to go anyMoreYou want to take a circular saw set it to just the depth of the plywood. You don't want to go any deeper than that and just cut a hole in it because.
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.
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.
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.
Why is my RV floor spongy?
A spongy RV floor signals that there’s damage that has led to rotting, which may be due to a water leak or other mechanical failure. Your RV’s floor quite literally holds you up while you walk around inside the rig, not to mention all those heavy pieces of furniture and appliances.
What is the best way to seal rotted wood?
To create a strong, waterproof bond, epoxy resin is combined with a hardener. This allows the epoxy to seal the area against water and to strengthen the rotted wood. It also discourages mold from growing on the surface of the wood.
How long does it take to mix epoxy resin?
Depending on the hardener and epoxy that you buy, you will have anywhere from a few minutes to an hour to work with it. The first thing that you will have to do is combine the hardener and the epoxy resin. After this is completed, you can start stirring in the thinning agent.
What tool did Doug use to check out the scope of the damage?
Doug used an awl to check out the scope of the damage. Much to his relief, he realized that the damage was limited to the storage area under the dinette.
Can you repair a rotted floor on a travel trailer?
Whether you’re considering buying a used RV or simply dealing with the consequences of water damage in a rig you bought new and have put through its paces, travel trailer floor repair is no laughing matter. Rotted floorboards can spell trouble quickly, not to mention the extreme expense of getting the problem dealt with professionally.
Can you use laminate flooring in an RV?
Many modern RVers are opting for laminate planking, which looks like hardwood floors, and is adaptable to be used throughout the RV. You can add throw rugs to this style of flooring in areas like the bedroom and living room, but still maintain a single, stylish, easy-to-clean material throughout the RV.
