This article will explain how to repair a mobile home floor. Floor repairs are a fairly easy job for a homeowner with basic tools to complete.
Floor damage is a common issue in older mobile home as the floors were made from absorbant materials such as chipboard and other particleboard floors. Once wet these floor swell up and never return to their original condition.
Damage is caused by water spills and leaks especially from sinks in bathrooms and kitchens.
The Stages Of A Floor Repair.
Table of Contents
- Identify The Problem.
- Decide on an appropriate solution.
- Prepare and mark the affected area.
- Gather tools and materials.
- Demolition- remove the rotten floor.
- Clean up all debris.
- Carry out the necessary floor repair.
Tools that you will need:
- tape measure
- torpedo level
- Safety glasses gloves
- Chalk line
- Carpenter’s square
- Skill saw
- Pencil
- Crosscut/miter saw (optional)
- Drill or driver.
- Stud finder.
Materials needed.
- Plywood cut to size
- 2″ x 4″ studs pt if required.
- 1 1/2″ to 2 1/4″ deck screws.
Safety First
It goes without saying but I’m going to say it anyway.
Make sure that when you use power tools you’re wearing safety glasses and gloves. Also make sure that the electrical cords to your power tools are in good condition.
Ensure that the area around your job is free of obstacles and obstructions. Allow sufficient space around your job so that your area does not become cluttered and dangerous.
Take your time, the idea here is to save money and not to do the job as fast as a professional.
Must Read: What Type of Mobile Home Steps do I Need?
First Steps Planning Out the Job.
- Plan out the shape and size of the repair.
- Mark out the rough area on the flooring with painters tape.
- Pull back the carpet, vinyl to expose the area to be removed.
- Locate the Sagging or wet area
Remove The Rotten Floor.
- Locate and mark the closest good floor joists using the stud finder.
- Mark off the area affected using a pencil or crayon. (Keep the edges square.)
- Use the skill saw cut down to the sides of the floor joists remove the broken wood.
- Collect the old pieces of flooring and move them away from the work area.
- Remove any protruding nails and clean up the debris.
Prepare The Wood Needed For The Repair.
Prepare lengths of 2x4s cut them off to the required length and scab on to the side of the floor joists.
Cut two of the pieces of 2 by 4 to span the distance between the two-floor joists. Attach them to the two by fours on the floor joists to make a box-like structure.
How to Make Sure the New Floor Is Flush with the Old and How to Repair a Mobile Home Floor.
If you are accurate with your saw cuts you can make the box out of the completely and then connect the pieces together and place it into the floor.
At this point make sure that the distance between the existing floor and the top of your 2 x 4s is equal to the thickness of the plywood that you purchased.
Secure the two-by-fours firmly to the floor joists and to each other forming a box section using the inch and a half to two and a quarter inch screws.
Measure and cut the plywood to the correct size using the skill saw the tape measure and the chalk box.
Try Out the Replacement Sub Floor For a Good Fit.
Place the cut piece of plywood into the gap on the floor and make sure that it fits nice and snug. If you have to beat it in there it’s probably too tight it is better to have an eighth of an inch gap.
If the repair is too tight it might cause the floor will swell with the changes in moisture in the home.
What Type Of Nails or Screws to Use.
Using screws will make a better repair and give you the ability to countersink the screw heads into the plywood
Screw down the plywood making sure you sink the screws just into the plywood. This will ensure that the screws do not show through the top covering of the floor.
Clean Up The Work Area and Put Away your Tools.
Time to clean up and prepare your floor for its new covering.
We hope that you enjoyed this tutorial on How to Repair Mobile Home Floor.