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Topic: How bad is it? Input needed on water damage (Read 1000 times) previous topic - next topic

How bad is it? Input needed on water damage

Looking at a 96 to purchase- the owner sent these to me. The leak appears to be around the pea-trap in the shower/tub combo. They do not know how long this has been occurring, but happens when showering. From what he has felt, the floors and walls are solid. I have my thoughts on it but I'd like to hear from people with more FT experience about how much or little I should be concerned with.

Photo link

Re: How bad is it? Input needed on water damage

Reply #1 –
Doesnt look awful, but been that way a long time

Good news floor underlayment is usually Marine Grade Plywood in a foretravel, stands up pretty good. Bad news is you with really know damage to floor, wall and potential basement damage till it gets opened up.

I would buy it after the fix or at least after you have a firm price to fix from a quality shop.

there are a lot of Foretravels out there in that era, what looks like a bargain often is not.

Good luck and let us know how you proceed

Tim Fiedler

Re: How bad is it? Input needed on water damage

Reply #2 –
Getting to the drain pipe is  the hardest thing in the repair if the floor is good.  Now if there is a bad spot in the floor under the P trap that ain't that bad.  I had to cut out that section of the floor/basement ceiling just to get to it for repairs on one coach that had a similar problem.  It is  a pain to work on but just clean out the basement and slide in a twin mattress so at lest you are comfortable as possible.  The wall stain looks more like the wall sweated from condensation than a leak which in this area would be normal.

Mike

Re: How bad is it? Input needed on water damage

Reply #3 –
Look carefully in the basement compartment below that and at the under side of the coach.

Quite likely water did not get all the way down into the basement structure, but you need to check.

As the others have said, I don't expect this to be too major, but you need to verify.

Re: How bad is it? Input needed on water damage

Reply #4 –
If you could take a butterfly bit and drill ( CARFULLY) up from the basement to that area.  A 1/2 bit might be enough to see where the moisture is relative to the foam insulation and the plywood floor.  1/2 wouldn't be too tough to patch and could also be enough to snake a camera. Although it looks like you already have pics.
    Could tell you how deep the wet wood is ? ?

Re: How bad is it? Input needed on water damage

Reply #5 –
I can't tell from the photos where the shower is located. I had a leak in our 95 300. In that one, the shower was directly over the right side rear wheels. You can open that area from the wheel well. Also, there are two threads here which describe a product that allows you to repair a leaking P-trap from above. (leaking p-trap) In addition, there are good products for hardening punky wood to avoid removal.
jor

Re: How bad is it? Input needed on water damage

Reply #6 –
Always best to replace bad wood when possible.  But for areas where you can't replace it this product works well once the wood is dried out.  It's a thin penetrating epoxy that is absorbed by wood.  Once it's cured the wood can't absorb any water.
Product Information - The Rot Doctor

Re: How bad is it? Input needed on water damage

Reply #7 –
That looks like a product you'd want to saturate the entire area under the sink, toilet and shower pan with.
 I have a water sensor under there but, just sayin.

Re: How bad is it? Input needed on water damage

Reply #8 –
Yes, from the pictures, it appears that the damage to the wood is not too serious and can easily be "fixed" with any of the "get rot"/epoxy type products.

Poke the water-stained areas with an awl or anything sharp to verify that the damage is only discoloration or minor water intrusion.  Obviously, make sure the area is quite dry before sealing. A hair dryer and a fan are your friends.

Re: How bad is it? Input needed on water damage

Reply #9 –
Not being familiar with the floor plan, can't offer an opinion, but it does bring up a simple effective preventative step that we all can use by having an audible alarm that sounds off if there is ANY water in an area that should be dry.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/IDEAL-Security-Flood-Water-and-Overflow-Alarm-SK606/203445904

We have many of these, under & behind shower, under and behind toilet, kitchen sink, water pump, manifold & holding tanks areas, etc. Cheap cost (now $20 each) to eliminate a big potential damage. E

Re: How bad is it? Input needed on water damage

Reply #10 –
Quote
a simple effective preventative step that we all can use by having an audible alarm that sounds off if there is ANY water
I'll second this. Those little babies have saved my bacon a couple times. "What's that noise?"
jor

Re: How bad is it? Input needed on water damage

Reply #11 –
Quote from: jor –
I'll second this. Those little babies have saved my bacon a couple times. "What's that noise?"
jor

Do you have a link to an example of one?

Re: How bad is it? Input needed on water damage

Reply #13 –
Type in Homedepot then search for water flood alarm.

Re: How bad is it? Input needed on water damage

Reply #14 –
Quote
Do you have a link to an example of one?

This is the one I use. Inexpensive and effective. The alarm (very annoying) sounds at the slightest hint of moisture. (Water Alarm)
jor

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: How bad is it? Input needed on water damage

Reply #15 –
Almost everything on this coach can be repaired by someone with the time knowledge and health to do it. Question will always be is it worth it to you to get it and do the repair or to continue to look. The shower can be completely removed and either reinstalled or new one put down. The flooring can be removed or repaired sometimes you may have to cut a hole to access plumbing but that whole can be filled in. Basements can be fixed. As long as the engine and drivetrain are in good shape and the price is right and you're willing to do the work I say it's not a big issue. What the price would be would be up to you. What you're willing to pay for it. How much to repair would cost would depend on whether you're going to do the work yourself or pay somebody $150 an hour to do it.