Need help finding/repairing a water leak and soft spots.

[Leichardti]

2004 WW FB2200

I could use a little advice finding a water leak in my trailer that has caused soft spots in the floor. I circled the areas with the soft
spots in the picture below.



Since I've owned the trailer I have fixed a few minor leaks (from toilet, toilet sprayer, shower trim, window trim, etc). Shortly after that the first spot developed (blue circle). I thought it might have been from the original leaks.

Around a year later I noticed the two other soft spots developing. I believe the leak may be coming from my shower drainage. I have it parked at my jobsite for about two months with full hook ups every summer. Every time I shower I notice a drip coming from a bolt/nut that's pretty much directly under the shower. I recall it leaking from there the year before but it would only do it every once in awhile. Now its every time shower.

The soft spots are only in those areas with the circles. The floor of the shower feels solid.

My plan was to remove the shower shell and any flooring necessary, repair any leaks and replace the flooring that was damaged.

Any advice?

Thank you for your time.

[Leichardti]

The plywood was 23/32" thick. Wasn't exactly the same size as the original flooring but it came out pretty flush.

The install was pretty easy install for a such a small area with not to many corners. A table saw and jigsaw made was used to cut out the toilet area. Its pretty even and smooth as of now. I image after traveling it may shift, move or buckle a bit.

I believe the leak was coming from my front window. I started with new silicon around the front window, then did the entire front of the trailer and ended up just doing the entire trailer all together. There were a few spots where the silicon was cracking or pealing off. Took about 5-6 tubes of silicon.

[N-Trouble]

Damn nice work man...How thick is the plywood? The wood floor looks a lot nicer than linoleum.

I need to do the same to mine but don't have the time or will.

Just make sure you get the leak addressed as I bet you don't want to go through that again.

[Leichardti]

[Leichardti]

Measured the bad area, cut out a piece of plywood, outlined the piece of plywood onto the floor.

Tried my best using a circular saw and jigsaw to cut out the bad area. Wasn't easy in some of the tight spots and corners.

I was able to remove all of the bad wood except a small spot under the sink compartment.

Removed the insulation, cleaned up all the dust and excess wood.

Cut out some triangles out of plywood and mounted them in the corners for extra support.

Replaced insulation and mounted the new piece of plywood into the metal framing and the wooden triangles.

Applied silicon to the edges. Laid down plastic floor insulation (blue stuff).

Had some extra wood flooring from a bedroom job that I laid down next. Applied a little bit of glue on the between each piece of flooring and nailed them on the edges.

Cut out the area for the toilet. Trimmed down the metal floor boarder and mounted at the edge of the flooring. I will put trimming around the edges next.

So far so good. I know it will get damaged over time on my desert trips but I have enough extra flooring to replace it twice.

[Bedlam]

Our 2006 FB2200 had a slightly different floor plan, but the same type of water damage. The front cap leaked along the top edge and allowed water to run down the walls and soak into the bath flooring. Check your front storage compartment for the same type of softness and look on your inside forward wall for any signs of water stains.

[Leichardti]

Pulled a panel to expose the area under the shower with the drainage. Couldn't find any leaks or problems and it wouldn't leak from the bolt like it normal does when I ran the water.

After cutting away the floor it appears that it is leaking from the front of the trailer and traveling back along the support beams. The darkest/softest parts in the photo are where the bolts are and I believe the support beam runs. Also under the sink in the compartment (where the two spray bottles are) there is another soft spot directly in line with the others.

Im going to double check the sink to see if there are any leaks but I believe the problem could have been from my front window. It was broken and replaced years ago. At first it wasn't sealed well and had a tiny leak. I fixed it right away. Im just not sure if its still leaking around the window/sink/front of trailer or if this is old water damage.

My plan:
1. Run the water and check for any links around sink or anywhere else.
2. Remove the toilet and damaged wood. Inspect the area for any more problems.
3. Based on where the support beams are, I plan on cutting out a solid piece of wood, place it over the damaged area (overlapping), trace it, cut the edges and then stick it in like a patch. I may put some type of extra support around the edges of the new piece of wood if needed.
4. Im going to see if I can replace the soft spot under the sink from under the front of the trailer.
5. Last Im going to reseal all the edges around the front window and anywhere else in the front of the trailer where water could be possibly be leaking in.

Im guessing when I remove the toilet its going to smell just wonderful. Can I easily cap it off? Also to prevent debris from going in the tank.

Thank you for your time

[Leichardti]

[N-Trouble]

Had a similar problem on my WW and it ended up being the shower drain. Also check the water inlet to the back of the toilet as mine has come loose on more than one ocassion and leaked.

[Dirtclods]

I'd check you sink faucets first for leaks.

[Y-Guy]

Well that bites. Start with the shower and see what you find. The challenge with most RV, and I think yours is the same is that the cabinets and everything else is built on top of the flooring. Good luck with the project, keep us updated as you go.

[robsouth]

Sounds like you got a plan. By all means, find the leaks and stop them. You can see more about the floor when you start your work. Good luck.