Soft floorboard

Hi everyone,

First post on the board and first off just want to let everyone know that I think this whole board is absolutely great. I just purchased my first hi-lo (graduated from pop-up) for a steal of a deal (lucky me).

In the bathroom under the big "hamper" style storage space there is about a 6 inch by 6 inch spot of soft flooring. The previous owner told me it came from a leak in the plastic cap on the roof which broke and allowed water in that pooled at that spot. The leak has been repaired, but the floor needs repairing. I'm in no rush, since this is not a spot where any person can stand or anything, but I would like to fix it.

What is the best way to do this? Since the surrounding areas are strong, I was thinking about just getting a big piece of plywood and putting over the bad spot, bracing with the surrounding good spots. Anyone have a better idea?

Thanks

Kirk

Kirkv said:

Hi everyone,

First post on the board and first off just want to let everyone know that I think this whole board is absolutely great. I just purchased my first hi-lo (graduated from pop-up) for a steal of a deal (lucky me).

In the bathroom under the big "hamper" style storage space there is about a 6 inch by 6 inch spot of soft flooring. The previous owner told me it came from a leak in the plastic cap on the roof which broke and allowed water in that pooled at that spot. The leak has been repaired, but the floor needs repairing. I'm in no rush, since this is not a spot where any person can stand or anything, but I would like to fix it.

What is the best way to do this? Since the surrounding areas are strong, I was thinking about just getting a big piece of plywood and putting over the bad spot, bracing with the surrounding good spots. Anyone have a better idea?

Thanks

Kirk

Click to expand...

That would work,to cover the whole floor in the wardrobe with plywood, then put on new floor covering. Cut out the damaged area, piece in a new piece with furring strips. Or cover the floor with laminate flooring (smaller pieces might be easier to work with).

Trailer Life Magazine-March2011

Trailer Life Magazine has an article, Tips on roof&Awning maintenance. This is a good article for new owners or maybe a refresher for us experienced campers. Think Spring!!

If there is a hole through the floor or if you feel the damaged area will continue to deteriorate, this is how I would repair the floor. I will assume there are no obstructions under the trailer.

I would remove the floor covering inside the wardrobe.
Cut out the damaged area of the floor.
Measure the thickness of the trailer floor.
Obtain a piece of exterior grade (Not Treated) plywood the same thickness as the trailer flooring.
Check with local contractors for the plywood, they might have a piece of leftover plywood that would work for you.
Cut a piece of the plywood larger than the hole that you cut in the floor.
Lay the plywood patch over the hole and trace around it.
Mark the patch so that it will be installed in the same direction that it was when it was traced.
Cut the trailer flooring on the traced line.
Make sure the new patch fits the hole.
Cut a piece of plywood to cover the area inside the wardrobe where the floor covering was removed.
Use exterior grade deck screws to fasten the new plywood floor to the trailer flooring.
If the plywood is less than 5/8” thick I would also use construction adhesive.
If the trailer flooring is made from OSB (Oriented Strand Board), I would place the screws from the outside up through the OSB into the plywood.
Make sure the screws are not too long that they protrude through the plywood.
From the underside of the trailer, paint the area of the plywood floor that is visible through the hole and the cut out area of the trailer floor.
Use exterior grade primer.
Prime the new plywood patch, especially the edges. Remember not to cover the orientation marking that you marked earlier.
Secure the plywood patch with deck screws.
Neatly seal the gap around the patch with a good caulk that can be painted.
Try not to smear the caulking.
Use a good metal paint to paint the exposed screw heads.
Prime and paint the patched area.
Inside the wardrobe, if you are going to install vinyl flooring, I would fill all knotholes and large gaps with floor leveler.
Install new floor covering.

Thanks

Thanks everyone for the responses!!