I was working on the toilet off the hall today when I noticed the toilet was sinking into the floor. Then I noticed the side of the sink cabinet was bowed out at the bottom. Evidently I have a leak somewhere and it has leaked to the point of destroying the floor. The flooring in this house is particle board and when particle board gets wet it disintegrates. This is going to be a major job. The toilet has to be pulled, the sink cabinet has to be pulled, the vinyl flooring has to be ripped up, the damaged flooring has to be cut out, the floor sleepers has to be checked for rot, the wet insulation has to be pulled out. Even with me doing the labour this is going to be a costly repair and my funds are depleted for trying to install the chimney, the stove hearth, and the stove. However, it has to be done. It doesn't rain but it sure does pour.
When you mention the floor sleepers, are you referring to the joists? Is it a large bathroom? If it was the toilet leaking (probably just the wax ring) it may affect just one area. Perhaps you can salvage the joists or scab another one on to the affected ones and just piece in some plywood for the replacement subfloor. The vinyl planking is real nice stuff and goes together real easy and holds up very well. It is designed for kitchens/bathrooms also, unlike laminate flooring. Pics.
Since the sides of the sink cabinet is bowed out and has water damage, it appears more likely the sink was leaking and it spread to the toilet area. I just hope that the damage has not spread under the tub-shower unit. Those units are put in during framing so that would be a nightmare if the floor is affected under the tub-shower unit.
No, I don't see any leaks under the sink. This house was built with that poly pipe crap that is no longer used due to problems with it and connectors. The pipes are between the floor and insulation and there is a a fabric material that holds the insulation in place. I will try crawling under the house tomorrow and see what I can find out. I would like to replumb the whole house and disconnect that poly pipe completely but that will have to wait when funds are more freely available.
Is this a newer mobile home? I feel your pain but I've been there, done that, so it may not be horrible. Labor intensive, but not costly.
Is that the culprit? You can double stack wax rings until the weather gets warmer, then go for the correct fix.
I don't know. What I mean is that after I tear up the floor and put everything back together. This is not something that can be patched, it has to be torn apart and then put it back together.
Sounds like the early Quest pex piping, no? Or is it something else? Could ya post up a pic, because it's possible someone will happen along who doesn't believe this calamity..... Ok, just kidding about someone not believing you, but pics are nice too.
Kimberly, have you found out where the leak is? Don't go ripping everything up until you isolate the source. Hate to say it, but your leak may be below floor level. Make sure of that before you create more work for yourself than you need to. Older PEX fittings were notorious for leaking, that may be an easy fix. Then go from there.
I appreciate the advice but I don't think everyone understands. Yes, knowing the source of the leak is important to prevent future damage. However, the toilet is sinking into the floor, the floor has deteriorated. This house was a cheap house, all we could afford, and so everything is built to minimal specs. No sane person would use particle board for a subfloor material but the manufacturer did every cost cutting they could in building this house. The toilet and sink cabinet has to be pulled out. The old damaged floor has to be ripped out and replace. There is a vent stack in the wall in that bath; I have yet to replace the vent flashing at that pipe. I have not seen any signs of it leaking in the ceiling as I did in the other bathroom; however, I am wondering if water could have been running down that pipe and pooling at the bottom.
Sounds like you have another bathroom to use. Turn off all the water to the toilet, and sink, and use the other bath until funds allow to fix it. Removing the vanity and toilet are standard procedures to any floor repair in a bathroom. Toilet removal is a 30 minute job. Its literally 2 bolts and a water line. The vanity, 1 hour. Shut off the water (hot and cold) Disconnect drain line, disconnect water lines, cut any caulk holding it to the wall, and unscrew it from the wall. A second set of hands to lift these items out of the bathroom will be nice, but it can be done with one person. If you have to, take the tank off the toilet to make it lighter. Again, 2 more bolts...easy peasy. If the vanity is too heavy, remove the countertop and sink as 1 unit, and the cabinet as another. Get that wet wood outta there. Mold is no joke. Once you get that stuff out, the source of the leak will show itself (or at least give you clues) based on the location of the water damaged wood. A bad vent stack boot could very easily be the source, and at the very least, Id be on the roof with some emergency roof sealant in a caulk tube. $2 (temporary) repair.
Yes, I did caulk that vent but the caulk could have separated. There is another forum thread in the DIY section where I posted about the improperly installed roof vents and stack boots. I let time get away from me on getting them replaced and now it is too cold to do shingle work unless I can use a heat gun to help separate the shingles. The last roof vent I put it was harder because of the shingles being bonded.
I went under the house and saw the plastic and fabric membrane was sagging under load. I got a garbage pail and placed under it and poked a hole through the membrane and gallons up0n gallons of water started pouring out. My guess is one of the water lines under the floor went to leaking.
