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HuckFinn410's avatar
HuckFinn410
Explorer
Aug 23, 2016

argghhh. Moldy linoleum hiding wet wood underneath?

Yep. Just as the title suggests. I have never had any leaking issues......till now I guess. The linoleum in the rear corners looks splotchy and discolored. Brown and without a pattern. No softness feel to the floor, but I fear that underneath the linoleum is a nightmare. Floor still feels solid beneath my significant load. The discoloration won’t scrub off. It’s like the linoleum (light color) is rotting from the bottom up.

I check my roof frequently, use the correct caulk and eternabond tape when needed. Sometimes stuff just happens.

Considering whether to just sell the thing as is (and let the buyer know of the issues or course) or take on the task of tearing out the linoleum, replacing the wood flooring. Sounds like a nightmare job....but do able. Of course, once you start tearing stuff out, it can be a never ending hornets nest of issues.

Of course job #1 is to reseal the roof to make sure that it's leak free.

Questions for anyone that has experienced this --

Did you take out all of the built in furniture before you replaced the flooring? e.g. dinette (for sure), kitchen counter, water heater, water pump, etc.

If anyone that's tackled this job has any advice, I am all ears!

And, no..I do not have any pictures yet. I will shortly….I promise.

Thank you

Huck
  • I just recently found a leak in the rear corner of my fiver. Started with mildewed carpet, wet vinyl, got that out, found wet, rotten wood. This was inside a closed cabinet, so was not readily seen. Checked outside, appeared water coming in from around vinyl trim about 1/3 way up from the bottom and also around the outlet for the cable/phone line. Cleaned and sealed both places.

    Then, found the shore power plug had a bad, burnt spot along with the same area on the trailer receptacle. So, more than likely was all related. Fixed leak myself along with water damage but had fiver to CW for electrical repair. All is well.
  • DavidP wrote:
    Yes, pull that back and see what it looks like underneath. If dry then your in pretty good shape. Is the linoleum in a cabinet in the corner or exposed? If in a cabinet you need to pull it back and see if it is wet. You should be able to tell from knocking on it. The wet wood will have a more dull sound where the dry floor will be more resonate and tight sounding. Are both corners discolored?



    the discoloration started small...now it's grown to about 4 sq. feet spread out in a random pattern. Not promising. I'm gonna pull some up this week and see what I find. Not looking forward to it.
  • Yes, pull that back and see what it looks like underneath. If dry then your in pretty good shape. Is the linoleum in a cabinet in the corner or exposed? If in a cabinet you need to pull it back and see if it is wet. You should be able to tell from knocking on it. The wet wood will have a more dull sound where the dry floor will be more resonate and tight sounding. Are both corners discolored?
  • DavidP wrote:
    Could be leaking from the corner trim as well as lights or anything else attached/screwed to the trailer. How does the floor look from underneath? If dry then you can fix the leak and pull back the covering under the floor. If still solid underneath it will dry out.


    the underside is completely sealed with heavy black plastic. I may have to take that off to do a more complete analysis.
  • Could be leaking from the corner trim as well as lights or anything else attached/screwed to the trailer. How does the floor look from underneath? If dry then you can fix the leak and pull back the covering under the floor. If still solid underneath it will dry out.
  • HuckFinn410 wrote:
    Yep. Just as the title suggests. I have never had any leaking issues......till now I guess. The linoleum in the rear corners looks splotchy and discolored. Brown and without a pattern. No softness feel to the floor, but I fear that underneath the linoleum is a nightmare. Floor still feels solid beneath my significant load. The discoloration won’t scrub off. It’s like the linoleum (light color) is rotting from the bottom up.

    I check my roof frequently, use the correct caulk and eternabond tape when needed. Sometimes stuff just happens.

    Considering whether to just sell the thing as is (and let the buyer know of the issues or course) or take on the task of tearing out the linoleum, replacing the wood flooring. Sounds like a nightmare job....but do able. Of course, once you start tearing stuff out, it can be a never ending hornets nest of issues.

    Of course job #1 is to reseal the roof to make sure that it's leak free.

    Questions for anyone that has experienced this --

    Did you take out all of the built in furniture before you replaced the flooring? e.g. dinette (for sure), kitchen counter, water heater, water pump, etc.

    If anyone that's tackled this job has any advice, I am all ears!

    And, no..I do not have any pictures yet. I will shortly….I promise.

    Thank you

    Huck



    oh, and there is a touch of delam starting on the curb side. no surprise! tempted to just sell the thing as is.

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