The Icky floor surprise

[eljay]

While I was in the cleaning and inspecting mode I discover daylight showing through the refrigerator scoop/vent/duct/flue. Kind of figure that's not supposed to be that way. Also figured things under the fridge would be ugly. They are.

Husband and I (actually more he, than me) spent the afternoon disassembling the refrigerator area and moving the fridge out to get a look.

Yep, we looked. We crossed the line. Floor repair coming up.

[thenewkid64]

The hole in the floor is supposed to be there. The hole is the inlet of fresh air to the burner for the refer, and allowing the hot air to escape out the flue.

[Stefrobrts]

For what it's worth, that hole in the floor with screen on it is open to allow airflow to the fridge, at least on my unit. However, you obviously have some leakage going on. You might want to reseal the exterior seams, and also around the vent and fridge chimney, before you work too hard on the floors. Make sure everything's water tight then fix the damage inside.

[eljay]

Yep, that's the plan. Replace the roof vent cover, repair the fridge duct/flue/scoop thing then the floor. Not concerned about the hole in the floor-had its purpose figured out but will have to repair the floor around it.

Some critter had built a nest in the refrigerator area. Black walnut shells included for snacks...

Actually, I feel pretty lucky that this seems to be the biggest area of floor concern. Could have been much worse. The leaks are my primary focus at present.

[eljay]

All things considered...Could we try the epoxy repair and if not satisfactory replace the section OR does the epoxy make the area harder than woodpecker lips making cutting it impossible?

I keep looking, plotting, planning, scheming, dreaming...not doing anything until I am sure we can live with the results.

[Ken J]

Grrr - just posted a response and said server was busy - so here goes again.

Epoxy will probably work if the wood is not too far gone. You will need to back it up so all the epoxy does not go to the ground. You need to make sure the wood is BONE Dry - if it does not work, you can still tear it out and replace.

Ken

[Over59]

The options can be overwhelming. Here's a link that may be helpful. You have to get the rot.
http://www.systemthree.com/p_endrot_kit.asp

Clear Deep Penetrating Epoxy will get out the water also but doesn't add much to the structure. You can thin some epoxies so they penetrate better and they do add structure ( check the manufactures web sites).
Good luck. The floor repair thing can get out of hand real quick. The marine boat supply places are good sources of info links and stuff.

This has some good info also

http://alsnetbiz.com/homeimprovement...ot_repair.html

[Ken J]

To build up substance, you can fill any holes with saw dust before applying epoxy

Ken

[eljay]

So I am preparing the area between the the wall and the fresh air hole under the fridge to use the epoxy and find this piece of metal about 2 inches wide, 2 mm thick, broken off on each end. It lays just under the plywood flooring (or what USED to be the plywood flooring) I'm thinking this can't be good...

Now what is this? Is there some sort of metal band that that runs lengthwise along this edge? (If whole it would terminate at the wheelwell) What do I do to repair this?

[thenewkid64]

IIRC there was a piece of metal ducting that runs from the top of the floor, where it rest, or is fastened and extends to the inside of the belly pan, just above the intake hole. This duct was to keep wind/dirt/rain from getting into the belly pan and to make sure the insulation did not walk into the opening. It looks like just standard sheet metal ducting where I have seen it on trailers.