Stains on woven flooring

[jondrew55]

On our Globetrotter hunting expedition we came across 2 different units that appear to have deep stains in the woven flooring. It almost looked like the stains were below the surface. Of course the sales people did what sales people do and just gave us a blank look.

Is staining a common thing in these floors? Aren't they vinyl and I was assume pretty stain resistant?

[SeeMore]

Vinyl flooring resists staining but is not resistant as many can attest. If you search the forums there are quite a few threads regarding vinyl floor stains.
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f46...ml#post2530536

The definition of the word "resistant" is different than the dictionary when used by marketing departments.

[skyguyscott]

You will find that AS, as a matter of practice, routinely chooses materials and accoutrements that appear to appeal to the eye, but are, uh, let's say impractical in a camping application. (It's the bling that makes the cha-ching)

Remember the shag carpeting in the 70's trailers? Or using heavy, absorbent particle-board-core elements inside that deform and degrade over time in a lightweight travel trailer that gets constant exposure to moisture? Jalousie windows?

The good news is the flooring can easily be replaced.

[jondrew55]

I think that AS's interior materials are in general much better than any other RV I've owned and I've had plenty. That said, they do make some odd choices. My wife and I were looking at different models this weekend and saw a couple of Pottery Barn units and we both chuckled and said these would get ruined pretty quickly, especially the fabric on the couch and chairs. Of course that's our camping style with kids and dogs.

I don't know how easily the flooring can be replaced. I thought it was actually put down before the interior is installed. I was more concerned because the stains appeared below the flooring surface and maybe something was going on (like mold) down there.

Originally Posted by skyguyscott

You will find that AS, as a matter of practice, routinely chooses materials and accoutrements that appear to appeal to the eye, but are, uh, let's say impractical in a camping application. (It's the bling that makes the cha-ching)

Remember the shag carpeting in the 70's trailers? Or using heavy, absorbent particle-board-core elements inside that deform and degrade over time in a lightweight travel trailer that gets constant exposure to moisture? Jalousie windows?

The good news is the flooring can easily be replaced.

[skyguyscott]

Yes, the flooring does get put down before all the interior furnishings, but many have put down vinyl plank, cork, or other types after the fact.

The good news is that the subfloor in some 2020 and all later model years is the new Transcore composite that will never rot or mold or go soft, rather than the problematic plywood AS typically used before.

You would have to examine the floor closely to determine the source of the staining and what to fix to keep it from reoccurring. I don't know how extensive this issue is, or whether it might be some sort of reaction between the flooring and Transcore, or some spill or leak or wicking of moisture that might have condensed underneath or what.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by jondrew55

I don't know how easily the flooring can be replaced. I thought it was actually put down before the interior is installed. I was more concerned because the stains appeared below the flooring surface and maybe something was going on (like mold) down there.

There have been a couple threads about stains/discoloration caused be water leaks wicking in under the flooring. Hard to tell without seeing the stains.

[jondrew55]

Originally Posted by Wazbro

There have been a couple threads about stains/discoloration caused be water leaks wicking in under the flooring. Hard to tell without seeing the stains.

That's what would concern me. Even with a new composite floor.

[Lily&Me]

What Wazbro said.

Moisture coming from underneath can cause these, and condensation did in mine.

Maggie

[Atwebs]

When the floor is replaced properly, all the cabinets come out. They even do that when they are restretching the woven vinyl floors in the GT series. Obviously water between flooring and subfloor can cause a darkening type of stain, even if the subfloor won't rot. Note where you see it, water isn't likely to leak just in the middle of the hallway, but near the sinks, toilet, shower, under a fan, near a wall.

You can float a floor on top (planking, cork, vinyl) without removing everything but whatever is causing the stain may continue to grow and it makes it harder to keep track of it.

[jeffmc306]

jondrew55, we’re going on our third season with our GT (Walnut\Dublin Slate) and the woven floor has held up well. We have a small dog and do use runners for comfort and some color.

Our floor is very light, almost white. The DW would prefer a darker color like the one in Birch\Barcelona Blue or Grey color scheme.

When we get back from a trip, I pull up the runners, vacuum the floor and mop it with a sponge and Mr. Clean. It still looks good. We did have JC re-stretch the flooring due to ripples but I believe the factory has fixed that issue.

If something ever happened to our floor I’d probably install a vinyl plank floor but that’s low on my priorities.

[jondrew55]

We have the Barcelona Blue in our current 25’ and ordered the same in our 30’. We also use washable runners

Originally Posted by jeffmc306

jondrew55, we’re going on our third season with our GT (Walnut\Dublin Slate) and the woven floor has held up well. We have a small dog and do use runners for comfort and some color.

Our floor is very light, almost white. The DW would prefer a darker color like the one in Birch\Barcelona Blue or Grey color scheme.

When we get back from a trip, I pull up the runners, vacuum the floor and mop it with a sponge and Mr. Clean. It still looks good. We did have JC re-stretch the flooring due to ripples but I believe the factory has fixed that issue.

If something ever happened to our floor I’d probably install a vinyl plank floor but that’s low on my priorities.

[Airdream16]

Originally Posted by jondrew55

On our Globetrotter hunting expedition we came across 2 different units that appear to have deep stains in the woven flooring. It almost looked like the stains were below the surface. Of course the sales people did what sales people do and just gave us a blank look.

Is staining a common thing in these floors? Aren't they vinyl and I was assume pretty stain resistant?

We had a bottle of Tapatio sauce exploded on our woven floor in Globetrotter. Called the manufacturer and was informed we could use bleach on the floor. Cleaned up beautifully and have no issues with the floor since. Actually it is very easy to clean and durable.