Instructions
- 1 Step. Remove any lag bolts and screws that may be holding in the water damaged section of the subfloor. Only remove...
- 2 Step. Set your circular saw blade to the depth of the subfloor. ... Then mark a line with a straight edge around the...
- 3 Step. With a pry bar or hammer, pry up the water damaged section of the RV subfloor. Try to keep the black...
How to fix a water damaged RV?
Lay fiberglass insulation pads between the floor beams to provide a better heat seal within the RV. This will also keep pipe and wood temperatures stable to prevent further water damage.
How to repair RV flooring?
For the RV floor repair, you need to cut out completely any badly damaged areas. This will require some tools including a circular saw and jigsaw, drill, tape measure, and replacement flooring/screws. At this point, you are only cutting out the plywood flooring.
Can I replace the rotted wood flooring in my travel trailer?
Although there was no evidence of moisture, the plywood floor was completely rotted. To solve this problem Doug did some research on the popular RV forum, RV.net. The information he got there, as well as other sites, led him to determine that he could replace the rotted wood flooring in his travel trailer in six steps.
How do you fix water damage on a particle board RV?
Discard of all water-damaged material. Use a reciprocating saw to remove the particle board from the floor. If there is only a small area of water damage, you can simply cut a rectangular hole in the particle board around the damaged area. If the rotten area is wider and spans the width of the RV, it may be necessary to cut up against the wall.
How do you repair a rotted floor in a camper?
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.
How do you fix a water damaged RV floor?
1:2711:09RV Floor Water Damage Repair | Part One - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's just staples hold it in for real because i got a staple a little that's a little nailer it's aMoreIt's just staples hold it in for real because i got a staple a little that's a little nailer it's a small i mean they're smaller. Okay all of them stayed in the wall.
How do you replace a subfloor in a travel trailer?
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 repair a trailer floor?
6:4914:44How to repair a rotted mobile home floor Single Wide Mobile ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll we need is to make sure that our plywood breaks. So we don't get get it dipping in between theMoreAll we need is to make sure that our plywood breaks. So we don't get get it dipping in between the rafters.
How much does it cost to replace a floor in a 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.
Can you repair a RV floor?
Water damage. If you notice water pooling on the floor, here are the steps you can take to complete a thorough RV floor repair. If you don't feel comfortable completing these tasks yourself, you can always have a professional repair your floor. But it will cost a lot more than a do-it-yourself job.
How do you fix water damaged subfloor?
How to Fix a Water-Damaged Subfloor: Your 8-Step DIY GuideStart by Stopping the Water. ... Expose the Subflooring. ... Make Your Mark. ... Carefully Cut Subflooring. ... Remove Damaged Materials. ... Speed Up the Drying Process. ... Reinforce Floor Joists. ... Install Your New Subflooring.
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 do you fix soft spots 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 do you fix a rotted floor?
2:237:43How to Remove and Replace a Rotten Subfloor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipProblem but now it's time to get to work on the actual rotten floor. There's two ways that we canMoreProblem but now it's time to get to work on the actual rotten floor. There's two ways that we can repair this floor. We could patch the existing hole with plywood.
How do you repair a vinyl floor in an RV?
0:592:04Linoleum and RV Vinyl Floor Repair | We Can Fix That! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMaybe a nail polish spill water damage heavy items getting dragged on it and scratching the floor orMoreMaybe a nail polish spill water damage heavy items getting dragged on it and scratching the floor or sharp objects dropped on it CCI can fix all types and colors of vinyl flooring.
When should I replace my subfloor from water damage?
“Adequately protected from moisture, most subfloor materials can be expected to last for the lifespan of the home.” However, if the subfloor is consistently exposed to moisture, you may need to replace it after 20 to 30 years or sooner.
How do you repair RV vinyl flooring?
0:572:04Linoleum and RV Vinyl Floor Repair | We Can Fix That! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMaybe a nail polish spill water damage heavy items getting dragged on it and scratching the floor orMoreMaybe a nail polish spill water damage heavy items getting dragged on it and scratching the floor or sharp objects dropped on it CCI can fix all types and colors of vinyl flooring.
How do you fix soft spots 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.
What causes soft spots in camper 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.
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.
What to do if water damage to wood framing?
If the water badly damaged your wood framing and drying it out won’t cut it, you’ll need to add or replace the wood framing. This is an important step because the framing provides structural support. If you don’t need to replace it, you can also add some epoxy to prevent mold from growing.
What type of flooring is best for an RV?
It is durable, easy to clean, and water-resistant. Given the purpose of an RV, these are must-haves in a replacement flooring. Linoleum is traditionally a more affordable option and is relatively easy to install, but it may suffer water damage. The carpet can get stained but gives the RV a homier feeling. Hardwood flooring is an option, but it requires more maintenance and is heavy, which is not desirable for an RV.
How long does it take for wood to dry out before installing new flooring?
Dry out the wood framing. After you have cut out and removed all the damaged wood, you need to wait up to a week to allow the wood framing to dry out completely. You need to ensure this is totally dry before installing the new wood flooring or you risk more rotting and structural damage.
When cutting out damaged wood, is it important to cut out all the rotted wood?
Boondocking Etiquette. When cutting out the damaged area, it is important to cut out all the rotted wood. You may also need to cut some good wood to ensure you have an exposed section of wood framing to screw the new floorboard into.
What happens if you leak a floor?
If a leak went on for many months and your floor has turned to mush, you have major damage.
Can you cut off a finger in an RV?
An RV floor repair becomes a lot more expensive and involved if you cut off a finger. Be smart, careful, and cautious with your tools so you don’t get hurt. If in doubt… consider hiring a professional: Hiring a professional to do an RV floor repair will cost more, but this ensures the job is done right.
Is minor damage easier to repair than major damage?
Unsurprisingly minor damage is easier and less expensive to repair than major damage. When determining the extent of your damage, make sure you find the entire damaged area. You don’t want to miss out on a section only to have to redo everything again with another RV floor repair.
What to do if you have a not so stable floor in your RV?
Unless you’ve got a really good deal on your hands, it’s likely going to be more work to fix the floor than it’s worth.
How many steps does it take to replace rotted wood in a travel trailer?
The information he got there, as well as other sites, led him to determine that he could replace the rotted wood flooring in his travel trailer in six steps.
What type of flooring is best for an RV?
Replacing your RV’s flooring can be a great opportunity to upgrade to a different material. But which type of flooring is best?
How much does it cost to replace RV flooring?
It all depends on the extent of your damage, the quality of your materials, and how much of the project you do yourself.
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 to thin epoxy?
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. For his repair, Doug thinned the epoxy by 50% using the xylene.
What type of adhesive did Doug use to cover the subfloor?
Doug used vinyl pieces with self adhesive to cover the sub-floor. He also added it to the storage compartment. After the epoxy cured and the wood dried, he reinstalled the dinette and added reclaimed carpet to the area.
Labor and materials to repair floor
Labor can be anywhere from $100 per hour up to what I’ve heard is $150 per hour at some of the larger dealers. If it’s a matter of pulling up carpet and replacing a couple sheets of plywood it would probably take about 4-5 hours plus materials, so it could be $600-$800.
Assess the damage
I would suggest pulling back as much carpet or vinyl flooring as possible to see what exactly needs to be replaced. You will need to look for two issues: rotten wood and substructure, and mold. The plywood floor may be solid, but if you have mold it will need to be either sanitized or replaced.
HAVE A QUESTION FOR DAVE?
Ask it here. Please be as brief as possible. Attach a photo or two if it might help Dave with his response.
Why do RVs get water damage?
RV's and camper trailers can sustain a lot of water damage due to their constant exposure outdoors. Camper trailers and RVs are especially susceptible to water damage because they are so exposed to wind and rain. The wooden parts of these vehicles can become damp and damaged through years of use and lack of maintenance.
What happens if you water damage a tile?
If there is water damage it is likely that the dampness will have loosened the adhesive. You may need to use a scraper to dig underneath the tile and pry it upwards. Discard of all water-damaged material.
What to do if your floor is rotting?
If the beams of the floor have been damaged or become rotten, they may also need to be removed and replaced. If there are any rust spots on the floor base or wood beams, paint over them with quality, water-resistant paint to prevent further damage.
Can you replace flooring in an RV?
Replace the flooring. Ceramic tile is not recommended because it will add extra weight and unlikely withstand the flexing of the RV during transport. Use stick-on tile or carpet to recover and a carpet bar if necessary to hide the separation line between the new flooring and the old.
Can you put ceramic tile on a RV?
Ceramic til e is not recommended because it will add extra weight and unlikely withstand the flexing of the RV during transport. Use stick-on tile or carpet to recover and a carpet bar if necessary to hide the separation line between the new flooring and the old.
Can you cut particle board around a RV?
If there is only a small area of water damage, you can simply cut a rectangular hole in the particle board around the damaged area. If the rotten area is wider and spans the width of the RV, it may be necessary to cut up against the wall. Be careful not to let the saw reach the metal siding of the RV.
Can you replace rotten wood underneath furniture?
For an ideal fix, it's important to replace rotten wood underneath furniture so that the pieces won't sag down and cause more damage. After all the structures are out of the way you can begin removing the tile or vinyl flooring. If there is water damage it is likely that the dampness will have loosened the adhesive.
