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Gene_M's avatar
Gene_M
Explorer
Aug 11, 2015

Water damaged/rotted floor repair

I have most of the work completed for replacing a bad section of floor where a leak had been.

I found an additional area too close to a cabinet for work this time around. there is some soft OSB that will not hold a screw plus a depression in the flooring. I have looked online for wood hardeners and fillers and found the following:
Minwax wood hardener,
PCFix PC Petrifier wood hardener,
Minwax high performace wood filler,
Elmers ProBond wood filler.

So the question is does anyone have experience with this situation and is this suitable for the repair, or are there recommendations for other tried and proven products for this type of repair? I need a solution that will hold a screw pretty well.

Thanks

22 Replies

  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Aug 18, 2015
    It sounds like I should continue on and replace the other plastic valves with the same type brass ball valves I just used, and maybe add a few as water shutoffs to sink, shower and toilet feed lines while I'm at it.

    Exactly how I did mine. The last bit of supply line past the shutoff valves, I used braided steel. Some folks told me it wasn't needed and they're right. It isn't "needed", it's "wanted". The small increase in price offers me some variability and peace of mind. I initially tested the water system for 48 hrs. at 80 psi.
  • Gene_M's avatar
    Gene_M
    Explorer
    Aug 18, 2015
    Thanks Westend,
    I just also replaced all of the PEX valves and fittings in the fresh water area. It sounds like I should continue on and replace the other plastic valves with the same type brass ball valves I just used, and maybe add a few as water shutoffs to sink, shower and toilet feed lines while I'm at it.

    I saw the 5 zone leak detector on the "Camping World" website will look into it more.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Aug 18, 2015
    Gene_M wrote:
    Yes, I wasn't sure at first but the OSB quickly absorbed it and it did work it's way through the section, I just poured it on.

    Two more ideas I'd like to run by everyone:
    1. using 40 mil rubber shower pan liner from home depot under the fresh water pump and tank.

    2. putting a 5 zone water leak detection system in.
    *Edit - to monitor the hidden areas like under the shower, sinks and toilet.

    Any thoughts?

    Both excellent ideas.

    Some of the problem with RV plumbing is that pressurized supply lines and pumps are located in areas that don't afford easy inspection. You could have a small leak and not know it for some time.
    I made the decision when I was working on the Starcraft renovation to replace everything with new PEX and the best fittings I could find. I did a lot of overkill but hopefully, I won't have any damaging leaks.
  • Gene_M's avatar
    Gene_M
    Explorer
    Aug 18, 2015
    Yes, I wasn't sure at first but the OSB quickly absorbed it and it did work it's way through the section, I just poured it on.

    Two more ideas I'd like to run by everyone:
    1. using 40 mil rubber shower pan liner from home depot under the fresh water pump and tank.

    2. putting a 5 zone water leak detection system in.
    *Edit - to monitor the hidden areas like under the shower, sinks and toilet.

    Any thoughts?
  • Gene_Ginny's avatar
    Gene_Ginny
    Explorer
    Aug 18, 2015
    westend wrote:
    ... If you bump into Spar varnish, that would be a good choice.
    That would be my choice too.

    Glad to hear the Git-rot worked on the OSB. I used it MANY years ago on the transom of a wood boat and was impressed.
  • Gene_M's avatar
    Gene_M
    Explorer
    Aug 17, 2015
    Sounds good, thanks for the advice. I wasn't sure which way to go this being my first pass at restoring an RV interior.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Aug 17, 2015
    Gene_M wrote:
    Just to clarify - I wanted to seal the new piece of plywood that I used to replace the bad section of flooring, not going to use it on the git-rot treated area.
    Grab some varnish or paint at he big box store. A urethane varnish will be far superior to Thompsons or any other deck sealer. If you bump into Spar varnish, that would be a good choice.
  • Gene_M's avatar
    Gene_M
    Explorer
    Aug 17, 2015
    Just to clarify - I wanted to seal the new piece of plywood that I used to replace the bad section of flooring, not going to use it on the git-rot treated area.
  • GMandJM's avatar
    GMandJM
    Explorer
    Aug 16, 2015
    Mineral spirits / mineral turpentine is a paint thinner/cleaner/degreaser, if that is in fact what's in your waterseal product.

    Mostly I'd be concerned with any effect TWS could have on the GitRot.

    -G

    EDIT: I thought you guys were discussing cleaning, not sealing. Please disregard my prior comment.

    -J

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