Forums > Specific Focus > Home, Garden & Construction in Mexico

Mike Kirkpatrick

Aug 11, 2002, 9:12 PM

Post #1 of 4 (6517 views)

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Water damage.

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Our trailer in San Carlos was damaged by water overflowing from the toilet tank,and was not discovered for some time. The carpeting has been dumped,and fans have been installed to dry out the subfloor etc. Our local contractor has recommended laying down half-inch plywood and laying tile on top,rather that replacing the carpet. We hope that this might lessen potential musty odors. Is there a product which could be applied to the subfloor to prevent future odors and/or molds? A friend suggested a bleach solution. Any ideas or advice,please ?
We won't be returning until October and would like to get any prep.work done ahead of time. Thanks.

Carl A. Carlson

Aug 12, 2002, 12:58 PM

Post #2 of 4 (6506 views)

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Water damage.

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Some comments:1) 1/2 inch plywood is probably too thin unless the supports are really close together. 1/2 inch will flex alot.2) Tile is pretty heavy. Are you going to haul this trailer much?3) Grout will leak water to the floor and may yeild that musty ordor you're concerned about. Building paper (tar paper) should be glued down above the plywood.4) I would consider trying roll linoleum instead of tile. It's water proof, and it's light weight. 5) If you do use linoleum be sure to thoroughly caulk the edges along the walls with a flexible caulk.The key to musty ordor is to keep things dry.Good luckCarl Carlson

Mike Kirkpatrick

Aug 12, 2002, 6:11 PM

Post #3 of 4 (6507 views)

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Water damage.

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: Some comments:: 1) 1/2 inch plywood is probably too thin unless the supports are really close together. 1/2 inch will flex alot.: 2) Tile is pretty heavy. Are you going to haul this trailer much?: 3) Grout will leak water to the floor and may yeild that musty ordor you're concerned about. Building paper (tar paper) should be glued down above the plywood.: 4) I would consider trying roll linoleum instead of tile. It's water proof, and it's light weight. : 5) If you do use linoleum be sure to thoroughly caulk the edges along the walls with a flexible caulk.: The key to musty ordor is to keep things dry.: Good luck: Carl CarlsonHi Carl,
Your points are well taken,esp.re weight of tiles,and the grout leakage issue. Hopefully,the musty problem will be lessened by October,and the underfloor still useable.
Thanks for the fast response.
Mike K.

Esteban

Aug 14, 2002, 6:12 AM

Post #4 of 4 (6507 views)

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Water damage.

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Whether 1/2 inch plywood is enough depends on what's underneath. If there is at least a 3/4 subfloor, the the 1/2 might work. The 1/2 inch plywood needs to be nailed on a grid of 6". The plywood should also be glued to the subfloor underneath. If your trailer isn't REALLY supported well, you are asking for cracks in the grout FOR SURE. I like the idea of linoleum too. It gives much more. Also, if you have the money, you could use marine plywood. It's practically indestructible when it comes to water. It's MUCH more expensive and whether it's worth it or not depends on what you plan on doing with the home.