How To Repair An Rv Floor

RV water impairment is non something you should ignore. A minor leak can be a sneaky problem that wreaks havoc on the interior of your RV now and in the future. Detect out how to repair water harm on your RV slide floors with this step-by-step guide.

Don't let water damage become unchecked!

Signs of RV Water Impairment

Whether you own your RV or yous're in the marketplace for one, water harm inspection is something you should not skip out on. Hither are a few signs of water damage that you should be on the await for:

• Damp or mildewy smells
• Soft spots in the roof, in the walls, or along the floors
• Stains or discoloration
• Mold
• Rusty outer screws
• Cracked caulk

If you lot've spotted any of these in your RV (or an RV yous're considering purchasing), it's a strong indicator that there is water getting in somewhere.

Where to look for h2o impairment in your RV

If in that location'south a water leak in the middle of the flooring of your RV, you'll probably detect information technology. But at that place are sneaky places that you might not consider regularly inspecting.

Anywhere a roof or wall has been cut for an opening is a potential leaking point. Regularly inspect:

• RV windows
• Doors
• The seals of the RV slide outs
• Equipment on the roof (A/C, antennas, vents, etc.)
• The seams of your roof, walls, and ceilings (interior and exterior seals)

The seals of RV slide outs are notorious for leaks. RV slides have seals that can be cracked, often aren't replaced or maintained regularly, and become dirty. Also, if you lot make a habit out of parking your rig in a less than level position, your slide seals may not function as intended.

RV Slide Out Floor Water Damage Repair Steps

If you've found water damage in your RV, it isn't a capital punishment for your rig. Notwithstanding, it isn't always a uncomplicated fix. Water damage tin can creep and go unnoticed. When repairing water damage, make sure you strip everything dorsum to find every last inch of water damage to forbid future problems.

Here are step-past-stride instructions on how to repair water damage to your slide floors. (Since all slideouts are congenital differently, the instructions below are for models that have wear confined.)

Earlier beginning, remove any article of furniture from the slide out and pull up the floor (carpet, vinyl, etc.). This process begins on the subfloor.

Supplies

Tools

Instructions

Remove whatever lag bolts and screws that may be holding in the water damaged section of the subfloor.

Only remove the screws/bolts from the area y'all will be replacing. Screws tin be found on the exterior edge equally well every bit underneath the RV slide out.

Prepare your circular saw blade to the depth of the subfloor. (In my case, information technology was 3/4″).

Then mark a line with a straight edge around the damaged subflooring. Cutting along it with the circular saw. For any areas that the round saw blade can't reach, apply a multitool to cut out the wet areas.

Important: Make certain your line is foursquare and your cut is clean. This is important considering the new subfloor piece will need to barrel up confronting the original flooring without any gaps.

Also, exist careful non to cut any wires that run through the subfloor and into the walls.

With a pry bar or hammer, pry up the water damaged section of the RV subfloor.

Try to go along the black underbelly cover intact. Clean up whatsoever debris with a shop vac.

Measure and cut a new slice of plywood that volition fit in the identify of the h2o damaged department. The new wood should exist the aforementioned thickness as the subfloor that you removed.

Then with a Kreg Jig – drill pocket holes every four″. Use these instructions to set up the correct depth of your jig.

If you have wires that run through the flooring into the walls, be certain to notch out a small rectangle for them.

Remember: Brand certain the plywood extends underneath the wall studs and your cuts are clean and foursquare.

Slide the new slice of plywood in and make sure the underbelly is pulled tight.

Once the plywood is in, apply a generous corporeality of wood glue down the seam. Then use pocket screws to attach the new plywood to the original subfloor. Make certain the 2 pieces are affluent.

Note: If yous have problem sliding the piece in place, use a cake of wood and hammer it in. You too might need to pry up the edge of the wall for extra clearance.

Once the wood mucilage is dry, sand down the seam with 80 dust sandpaper to ensure a polish transition betwixt the 2 plywood pieces.

Tip: If you lot take an angled edge on the front end of your slide out floor, rip downward a 1×3 at 12.5º to make the edge square. And then, adhere with woods gum and 3/4″ finish nails at a 45º angle.

From underneath the slide out, add together ii 1/two″ outside screws into the new plywood and wall studs. Then reinstall any removed lag bolts.

Finally, staple the underbelly back into place and use underbelly tape to repair any areas that yous may have cut.

Important: Brand certain the screws are countersunk so that there is no risk of the screw heads scratching your floor when the slide out is retracted in.

Now that the water damage is gone, y'all can replace your camper'south flooring!

Source: https://thehappyglamper.co/diy-tutorials/how-to-repair-water-damage-on-slideout-floors/

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