Fix water damage in 2008 Holiday Rambler Admiral M35SFD

[pwoodworth]

I had to cut out a 2' by 4' piece of water damaged bathroom OSB sub floor. I found that the OSB sub floor is/was attached to aluminum floor joist (see attached picture). I need to add a wood support beam between (perpendicular) two of the aluminum floor joist to secure the patch piece of OSB wood to the section that was still good so they don't flex independently when walking in the bathroom. To accomplish this I want to screw metal angle brackets to the two aluminum floor joist in order to attach the/a wooden floor joist to support the wood where the two sections come together . Anybody had success with this approach? Anybody know if there are wires in the hollow aluminum floor beams I need to worry about before using self tapping screws to attached the angle brackets to the aluminum? Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

[TheLooks]

I think I would just support the edges the best I could with thin metal and then cove the entire floor with a 1/4 inch luan to span the seam. Glue it down at that. I cannot advise about wires in the floor stringers.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

The likelihood that wires will be a problem is minimal.

Set your skill saw blade to just penetrate the OSB and cut a section out. Then feel/inspect for utilities.

To seem together the floor go past the stringers so you can form with extra plywood a lap seam. Glue and screw the new section of floor plywood to existing stringers.