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Topic: HELP - Wall and floor parting company

Ian9365

03/11/2017 at 10:09pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

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Hi everyone.

Earlier this year we bought a 2007 Hymer Nova 570 which had not been well cared for and had a host of little neglect type issues but nothing that we perceived as being major. I spent a couple of months and quite a few pounds bringing it back.

We've discovered a problem that has me a worried. I don't mind getting my hands dirty and am in general happy to have a go at anything but this is outside my experience zone. I have discovered that the walls and floor in all four corners are to different extents starting to part company.

I had a full service/habitation check done by an approved workshop when I got the van in March. Quite a few minor issues were flagged up but nothing relevant to the current problem and there were no damp readings recorded anywhere in the van.

The picture is of the right rear corner of the van from underneath with the upper area being the main floor area with the van wall below. What is apparent from the picture is that there are both old and new screws visible so it looks as though someone has had a go previously.

Oddly enough the wood doesnt appear at all spongy or soft, a bit of surface flaking but I cannot easily push a penknife in. However the screws have obviously let go for a reason so its unlikely to be a case of putting in better screws, hmmmm !!

The floor generally appears in good shape with no delamination or obvious deformities. The extent of the parting in the worst case, in the picture, is about 60cm. Looking at the van from the rear you can see the side walls slightly flaring out toward the lower rear, I hadnt noticed this previously

I think I understand more or less how the floor and walls are constructed as ply/insulation/ply laminates terminated at the edges with battens and it appears likely that its these battens that have degraded.

I dont own a damp meter and will be getting one shortly but I think it will only tell me what I already suspect.

I have several issues with tackling this

I can more or less visualise replacing the lower wall battens insofar as they are fitted in the wall bottoms vertically which gives me room to work but for the life of me I cannot see a way to tackle the floor edge battens, surely the walls will be in the way.

Do I need to replace the battens the full length of the van or just any bad bits, which will obviously leave joins.

I dont have access to workshop facilities for this so will be working outside with only battery powered tools.

What is a good damp meter to get, I dont mind shelling out for a Protimeter if its justified, but not just to say I have one.

How badly would I be stung if I went for a professional repair.

Im sure Ill find a host more questions before Im finished with this but if anyone has any thoughts; experience; insights; advice it will be gladly received.

Ian

Wobbly Box

04/11/2017 at 12:37am
Location: Scotland
Outfit: Bailey & Mondeo

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I take it the screws go into the edge of the floor.

Can you easily push the side of the van so that it goes hard against the edge of the floor.

No sure how you would go about replacing the sandwiched battens without cutting away a section of the floor. You could do this from below to avoid removing internal fittings if there are any in the area. The new batten would need to be glued in place and screwed through the inside face of the plywood floor. You would then need to remove some of the floor insulation and fit infill battens around the opening leaving half sticking out so you can screw fix the plywood section that you cut out earlier back in place.

Alternatively push the side into place and fit a metal plate along the length or the effected area screw it into the wall timbers and into the plywood. That should hold it in place.

Opensauce

04/11/2017 at 7:37am
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I would go for the easy & permanent bodge. Clean the area with a stiff brush & then meths. Fill gap with Isopon P40 which is glass reinforced car body filler. Once set it is stronger than the material it is repairing.

Knock up a small amount at a time & build up in layers. It starts to go off in about 15mins so you can do whole repair in one session. Leave 24hrs to fully harden, job done. It's a 10yr old caravan. As caravans get older you have to make do & mend to keep them running.

Al+Mel

01/12/2017 at 2:49pm
Location: Hants
Outfit: Fleetwood Heritage 640 EB & ML270

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Would it be possible to drill a hole in the side into which you insert a nut, then replace the screws with bolts?

Maybe you could put the nuts into sound areas then tighten the bolts progressively to pull the parts together.

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