Floor Rot

[mmeburges1]

I have noticed a lot of posts concerning outer edge floor rot and how to repair the damage. What I havent noticed is whether or not anyone has located the source and/or cure for this problem. Can anyone elaborate on this?

Thanks,
Mike

[markdoane]

I am struck by the number of occasions that floor rot (in pre-vintage, '50s and '60s) occurs in these locations:
1. Rear end.
2. Front, especially under the water tank drain.
3. The doorway.
4. Under the water heater.
Windows leaks are one obvious source. Plumbing leaks are another. Roof vents are a third. Seam leaks are hard to locate because the water can run in many different directions.

[j54mark]

Floor rot is always caused by moisture. It is most common around the shell because almost any exterior leak will run down the inside walls and come out at the floor. This can be from a bad window seal, vent gasket, failing Vulkem, a popped rivet, or any number of sources. However, in bathrooms you always have to consider the area around the toilet. In my own case I had some rot around the opening where the galley sink drain went into the grey tank - some 18" or more away from the shell.

The moral is to be vigilant about leaks, and get them fixed.

Mark

[TomW]

Although my Overlander sat for 20+ years with no attention to the exterior, the chief culprit for the rotted bathroom floor appears to be water leaking past the tail lights.

The rot in the battery compartment appears to be due to the missing seals on the access door.

It didn't help that the three drain-waste-vents on the roof also leaked.