Bathroom floor waterlogged from mystery leak

[LightFlight]

Our bathroom floor stays damp under the vinyl and has developed some soft spots from being water logged. The problem is not in just one area but across the entire floor. I have looked for and checked every water source I can get to and cannot find a leak anywhere. It is a 36' 2000 Georgie Boy split bath plan with enclosed toilet area. Anyone have an idea what the problem might be or any suggestions for finding the problem? If I can't find a solution pretty soon I will have to rip up the entire floor as it is getting pretty soft and beginning to rot.

[Elkhartjim]

Have you looked under the shower? I had a nasty leak from the shower drain last year. Unfortunately, if you floor is feeling spongy its not going to get "unspongy" until you tear it out and replace it.

[Hooligan]

When my GeorgieBoy was new, found a leak behind the shower, the thin wall pipe joining the 2 faucet "mixer" in the shower had split between the faucets, only leaked when the shower was running. Should have a inspection plate below the faucets that unscrews for access. I replaced with higher quality all metal mixer..
Also had a plumbing fitting break under the vanity, the PEX tubing is joined with plastic fittings that fail over time. (they don't like chlorine???) I replaced ALL my fittings with brass throughout. Shelves in the vanity can be removed, just screws and staples. Follow the plumbing until you find the leak...
The plumbing under the floor and the holding tanks can be accessed by removing a trim panel above the propane tank.
I carry repair fittings for the PEX tubing, "Sharkbite', & "Flair-it' are brand names, these slip on the PEX for an easy repair on the road..
Is your MH CruiseMaster or Landau??
Hope this helps, and good luck...

[LightFlight]

Thanks so much for the reply... Sorry for the delay in responding. We were on the road. I searched all the places you suggested already with no luck... except I didn't know about the panel above the propane take. Will check that next. It sounds like I will have to replace the floor as it is definitely spongy. (Wow... that's another story) Our MH is a 3601 Landau (2000).

[Volunteer]

I also had a mystery leak in my Discovery and finally pinned it down to the valve that empties the potty. It didn't leak all the time and when it did leak, it was impossible to see. If you don't find anything else, you might try placing your hand underneath the valve while flushing and/or filling. That's how I found my leak.

[scenic route]

Nothing 'finds' a water leak like a piece of good 'ole toilet paper wrapped around a suspect fitting...start high and work your way down the gravity chain. Bob

[LightFlight]

I have tried everything and looked everywhere short of tearing up the floor boards. It's really getting to be a problem. The whole floor is soft now. Has anyone had any experience in replacing the flooring? How big of a job is it?

[InPursuit]

Everyone looks for "leaks".

The source of MY waterlogged bathrom floor in my 2000 GBM Pursuit was the roadbed. In fac, the floor abovet all four wheel wells (and at the furnace opening) had varying degrees of rot and worse.

Mine is now all completely remodeled and wonderful but I had to go down to the steel frame and rebuild it all.

One of these days I'll resize all my pics and post the job progress.
One thing is for sure though I now have a "shower" that an adult can actually fit into. Two adults if inclined.

[LightFlight]

Wow... Now that makes some sense. The rot is above the wheel wells. So, if I understand, you found that the water splashing up from the tires caused the rot? I think at this point I will have to replace the flooring. Can you give me an idea of how I should proceed, and how big of a job I'm getting in to? And at the end of the day... how did you seal the underside so it didn't happen again?

[InPursuit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LightFlight Wow... Now that makes some sense. The rot is above the wheel wells. So, if I understand, you found that the water splashing up from the tires caused the rot?

That is correct Sir!

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I think at this point I will have to replace the flooring. Can you give me an idea of how I should proceed, and how big of a job I'm getting in to?

I **completely** rebuilt and renovated the bathroom including what are laughingly called stud walls. If you have the basic carpentry skills and space to park it and plan the work out ahead of time aren't distracted by kids and dogs every 45 minutes... it is still a big job.

I eliminated the bathtub entirely, made a new wall hung lav/sink and shortened up the support box for the toilet... and made the whole room into one large shower pan using two layers of A/C plywood which I treated with "Red Gard" and then topped off with an epoxy floor coating (like a garage floor) with the shower drain going directly into the wheel well area (not the gray tank).

I beefed up the walls (firring strips ripped to 1 1/8") with 1/4" lauan plywood because I needed a strong substrate to glue the FRP panels. I also completely re-plumbed the water with all piping surface mounted.

I eliminated the second faucet using just one mixer at the sink and piping from that to the shoerhead & sprayer.

If I had known more I would have planned a replacement of the toilet too and repositioned it farther outfrom the wall to make more shoulder and backside room.

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And at the end of the day... how did you seal the underside so it didn't happen again?

Spray cans of rubberized undercoating and a tarp instead of the OEM "sediment screen" fabric below the 5/8" OSB flooring. Sheet metal would be even better but much harder to install.

In the picture below you'll see a mechanical chase against the wall where I have the heat duct to the bedroom and pex and 120V and 12V wires running.

(I also remodeled the kitchen)