How to repair or replace a damaged section of subfloor.

A common problem with replacing subfloor is how to provide adequate support of the newly formed and installed flooring edges. I show the entire process from lay out and demolition to installing new flooring structures, 'blocking' and the new sub-flooring ready for carpet.
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[@jaaqess2525]

Finally someone that knows how to fix a floor proper, been through a lot of videos, some ignoring the problem and just spray painting, some cutting and replacing with no added support, this guy gets it, he doesn’t want to have to fix it again.

[@BlueRidgeJ79]

That is now the strongest part of that mobile home! Good repair.

[@rogerwohlgemuth9684]

The box idea is great. I would have added blocking but this is easier and adds structure to the repair.

[@philjusto8471]

Thanks for this video, it really helped me. I had to make this repair and I admit it took me most of the day between removing the damage, installing the box, picking up material and laying the plywood. I'm pretty handy but certainly not a pro. I would rate this degree of difficulty a 7 out of 10.

[@goodfriend7609]

About to rip up old carpet and padding and do exactly what you are doing in this video to repair floor damage, appreciate the step by step information. I'm dreading the job but hopefully this will make things a little easier.

[@cosmicmuffin420]

Good job and great demonstration. I have a soft spot in kitchen and this really showed me what to expect and gave me hope that it's not as bad of a situation as i was thinking. Thank you.

[@AlexanderDyer]

+ruby gravley Thanks for the nice words. It makes me happy to think that I have helped give hope and perhaps the encouragement to move forward.

[@tobiwalker1367]

That is all truly beautiful. It requires lots of tools and some years' practice in knowing how to use them correctly. Your floor looks like my trailer. I had full sheets of plywood installed to replace a damaged subfloor and the installers cut vent holes in them for the non-functional 1990 furnace. I didn't want vents. No one listens... I wanted to be able to reinstall the woodstove according to code but now I have plywood with holes covered in loose-laid vinyl with holes and need a custom-made hearth pad to cover the vent hole (and of course still have a horrid hole in the floor six feet away with a register in it to fall over.) It seems the easiest repair is "just" putting in two new sheets of plywood rather than cutting patches and making joins...but not listening to women from the beginning is, I suspect, more fun for the contractor...

[@stillkickingfishing]

Nice job. I just bought a large manufactured home with some compromised particle board subflooring from lack of a vapor barrier in a humid climate. Your video is very helpful and I will be making some boxes! I'll only replace what is needed, then install a vapor barrier and crawlspace fan.

[@browsercat]

Thank you for posting this vid. Whoever decided my manufactured home needed a furnace vent in the middle of the kitchen floor didn't cook much (it's a crumb catcher). I was worried about edge support for the patch, and your 'box' idea is brilliant. I may put rosin paper between the flooring and patch to ensure they don't squeak.

[@chicofrijoles]

Very clever and practical problem solving, Alexander. Thanks very much for making this video - it helped me A LOT!

[@robertpersall98]

Thanks for the video! I have to repair the floors in the mobile we just inherited. I hadn't thought about boxes!

[@spencerpeake1564]

You guys are awesome 👌 👏 😎 after watching your videos 📹 it makes me feel more confident about doing it. I have a bad floor in my bedroom. It's a 1970s single wide trailer. I been needing it done for awhile 😩 now! But I've never layed flooring before. But I feel now I can do it myself!

[@AlexanderDyer]

That is awesome!

[@joenameth]

Have you finished it yet?

[@jeffreys.harris3433]

WOW great job im getting ready to do the same thing but directly inside the front door of my single wide i recently purchased, you gave me the purfect video thanks 👍

[@AlexanderDyer]

Fix that leak! Fix that Floor. Profit$

[@teachyourkid]

Just bought a termite eaten mobile home. The termites are gone, but the floor needs to come up and the walls off. I want everything new. This video made it easy....going to buy two other homes: one in Costa Rica, one in Rep. de Panama. My termite eaten home was so cheap, I can live there for free and have two other places to live.

[@eileenlajeunesse9890]

Thank you! The guys who I thought of hiring were only going to replace the plywood, which seemed wrong to me. so glad I saw this video. I'll just do it myself

[@BazColne]

eileen lajeunesse I know you can do it!

[@patriciateeters5565]

What a great how- to video! Thanks for making it. I had my husband watch this. We have both been putting off such a repair job as that in our home. We bought a home not realizing the damage under the floor covering in front of the kitchen sink. With your video we have a little more confidence going into the unknown. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Excellent job!

[@chronicawareness9986]

i woulda personally changed the cruddy insulation or vacuumed out the old rotted bits of flooring for peace of mind, but hey maybe they where on a tight budget.. anyways legit job

[@QueeniecomQueen]

This is very helpful to me and I'm glad I ran across this and it is going to help with the work that I have to have done so thank you very much for posting this

[@indistinctchatter6677]

IMO this is the easiest method for a homeowner to patch holes in the floor. Home Depot will rip the subfloor panels if you know your measurements. Patch the floor with the same material depth. It can vary in mobile homes. Take a piece or measure the floor at the heating grate. You can also use deck screws if you don't have a nail gun. Good video and you almost have a million views! Only 88k views to go!

[@DC-qk8ue]

Isn’t it better to use screws in the long run?

[@SG-uj8tj]

Looks like great craftsman, I can see a lot of skill. That will definitely fix and support nicely. I'm looking to support my subfloor so will be bracing only with 2x4 going across, but the way you demonstrated in the video is the ideal way and very efficient.

[@birdshell]

Thank you. I am replacing carpet and found plywood edges not connected to the floor joists. NOW I know to build a set of boxes for them. Thank you, also, for showing that mistakes happen. ;)

[@shannonshannon422]

This video helped me tremendously! First project on my own, restoring a Layton 1964. Thank you for ur help!!

[@cortson1]

I'm purchasing an 80's 2 bdr mobile home and am going to use this method to fix up a few spots in the floor. Hope mine is as easy as you made it look!

[@drummermayne11]

cortson1 be ready to cuss....a lot.. lol. I am doing one now. They glue the crap out of the subfloor to the joist. It wont just pry up as it did in this video.

[@JSTX9216]

great video, very detailed and good job. I hate those particle board floors they are just absolute rubbish. I have a job like this coming up of about 450 sq ft of the stuff to replace.

[@jeffreitz1503]

Ok now I'm feeling A LOT more confident!

[@AlexanderDyer]

Great!

[@FloorsbySouthernboys]

Loved the idea of the boxes, I will be using them, thank you for sharing

[@AlexanderDyer]

That is cool, I think you will like it.

[@colleenhill5138]

Thank you for sharing this video, I gained the knowledge I needed in order to not be so intimidated by the repairs I need to do on my recent home purchase.... Thank you very much...

[@JillNelsonStrongdiva]

Great video. I am a newbie home improver and followed your video step by step, even starting and stopping it as I worked. Thank you so much!!!!!

[@alextupou4992]

nice work! I like the box idea, its a strong fix and provides plenty of support for the new floor. will do this on my next project floor.

[@Msleelee9487]

wow wish i could work with you a few times i would learn alot i have a weak spot around my toilet i love what you did making the boxes gave it a solid finish job.

[@Deadkel.]

i have a 4 by 4 foot area to replace for carpet install and you really clarified a great deal for me again, thanks

[@Drewsroofingandhomerepair]

Nice job on the video I personally replace all of the particleboard when I run into a situation like that just in case the floor gets wet again I don’t have to go out there and tear up my new floor just to repair that particleboard again

[@AlexanderDyer]

Seems like a reasonable strategy but even plywood is destroyed by water. I think there may be an issue with ones confidence to successfully repair leaks. I had the trailer park for 15 years and my floors all stood the test of time.

[@kmaloy2278]

Thank you for this Video, It helped me so much when fixing my subfloor repairs.

[@AlexanderDyer]

Happy to hear that.

[@dimk5207]

Very nice, particularly the boxes. Thanks

[@itzDisturbed1]

Your boxing method is perfect for my situation. Well done video thank you :)

[@goddessofgreen1]

Excellent video! Thanks so much. Now I feel very confident that I can do this type of repair myself.

[@AlexanderDyer]

You can do it!

[@flawlessvic]

9:42 - 9:43 that was so satisfying to watch lol. Anyway, I have to do this exact thing. Problem is, one side of the plywood is buried underneath the wall 2x. So I'm just going to cut it like you did and build those boxes. Appreciate the vid!

[@dmab69]

Excellent video, I have just came across this problem and now I will use your solution. keep up the good work!

[@dandouglas5706]

thanks for the info, based on the comments of other videos on the same subject, this seems to be the right way...

[@07aussie1]

Like the video and the work was great. Noticed the same thing on your first box that an additional 2X4 would be helpful for support. Thanks for the help.

[@godwinolivier4866]

Thanks for posting. Now I know what I did wrong cutting corners. Boxing inside between the joists! Then again, my joists were MUCH closer together and I think the plywood I used is much more solid. Anyway, now I know!

[@javeedabdul]

nice work mate. I really had a hard time nailing corners once. thanks for sharing

[@AlexanderDyer]

Thanks, getting all the corners and edges supported makes all the difference.

[@junejones5261]

Excellent and straight forward explanation and instruction! Thank You ✌🏼️🐞

[@AlexanderDyer]

Sure.

[@madisonelectronic]

I have the same straightedge. Great product, easy to store.

[@cassiellightman]

Excellent video! Congratulations! Now I have good idea how fix my sub-floor. Same damage. Blessings!

[@jessicafromtexas2868]

Thank you so much for sharing this video . Im going to be working on my floors and you made it look simple again thank you

[@angeldavila4669]

good work. nice cuts and good tools.

[@mazwt44]

Love the box idea, thanks.

[@andreaingram2314]

Wow, thanks from KC too. I have an issue in the kitchen. Removed the vinyl tile and have some problems around the cabinet sink. Looks like some sub-floor was replaced but it is still spongy (they did not use the boxes so we might have a support issue. Now I know what must be done, Great video.

[@user-lf7en6rf8m]

Awesome love the box its much easier to build back the floor that way. Thank you

[@AlexanderDyer]

🙏💪🙏

[@DhulstDirk]

That is really smart. I have never seen it done that way.

[@marvinboggs]

Nice. These videos stay around long-time. Thank you.

[@tsmith7070]

Got a pretty big project coming up shortly. I will be redoing a ton of floors. Sounds like I might get pretty good at making boxes again. What can ya do when it is free AND in a nice community. That nail gun made it look a hell of a lot easier than the old hammer and nail... might have to buy me some new tools.

[@rogerwohlgemuth9684]

A nail gun and a compressor can help alot. You can shoot a nail where you can hammer one. I have 3 compressors. a small $50 one for doing just molding. I will use it for one piece of molding. I have a pancake and hotdog compressor too.

[@justinhankins7253]

Great clean work. I could do the same thing and it look like a 4 year old did it. Nice work!

[@AlexanderDyer]

Thanks 👍

[@johnkoester4181]

Outstanding video, the best I've seen so far!!

[@AlexanderDyer]

Thanks!

[@LissaKaye22]

Thanks so much, very informative, easy to follow video.

[@ic3p1k]

Thank you for making this video! This helped me perform a very sturdy repair!!

[@bluephoenix53]

awesome! i have been looking on a lot of resources but couldn't find one about how to support the joists. I'm in a mobile home as well and I am in the process of replacing my bathroom subfloor and because of damage had to go to the next joists on both sides in the adjacent rooms.

[@davetaylor7271]

Sweet work! Thanks for sharing your informative video! very helpful!

[@constancejones9089]

Thank you for posting this ! my DIY project is to repair the repairs...all the flooring is of different levels and cant see whats really going on till I pull up the carpet and crappy linoleum the bathroom is almost 2 inches higher than the rest of the flooring so we will see what I find.

[@lwriker1304]

Blocked in just as you did. Needed a car jack to force level from foundation to subfloor: some walls were originally built over open subfloor with no joists to directly support them. Those walls, simply, dipped under the weight.

[@jtrose6995]

nice and tidy and snug, looks great

[@lurklingX]

thank you, this was REALLY helpful. i was trying to contract this job out - uneven floor and water damage and getting absolute Bullsh*t responses and quotes (like tear out ENTIRE subfloor and shim with roofing tiles.)

[@metratone5]

The toilet and the sink in my house have both has a leak for a while. I changed the washer on the sink and that stop leaking the toilet has proved a little more difficult to remove. Now the subfloor is ruined so I have no choice other than to remove as it would be useless to try and dry out. I will post something to let everyone know how I got on. Wish me luck as I am going to tile, redign and install a new bathroom suite. That should be interesting and a new area for me .

[@bac4998]

How did it go?

[@gabrielsuarez1843]

Great video!!! I'm glad you didn't stop ...

[@AuthorJoelKrupa]

Excellent job! I would love to learn how to do this for my own RV. Looks fantastic.

[@AlexanderDyer]

Give it a try.

[@jameslacey460]

This was VERY helpful because I have an almost identical situation. A single question, if you please, is this: 1a) The decking under the 2x4 wall studs obviously has to remain in place, even though it has suffered at least some rotting. Is there something it can be sprayed with or treated with to possibly prevent additional deterioration/rotting? My obvious #1 concern is that you have a new wonderful solid floor but your wall studs are compromised at best and 1b) In my case, the 2x6 on cant which supports the 2x4 wall studs is also badly damaged. I would want to spray or treat it with something as well to stop the rot from progressing. Thank you for ANY response you're able to give and many thanks for sharing such wonderful information.

[@AlexanderDyer]

When assessing your damage you will need to decide if your wall is adequately supported as it is or not. I can not do that from here. Typically you will find that the structural members are not rotted and retain their integrity. If however you find that your structural members are also rotted then my advice would be to also replace those as well. There is no magic spray that can be substituted for structural lumber. Sorry.

[@jameslacey460]

With my thanks for taking the time to assist me in addressing this problem!

[@karmachan9152]

Great video Alex. Thank you for sharing your expertise.

[@lancemillward2462]

Ive got a lot of this to do. Very helpful

[@Virtual-Media]

Thanks for the tip, building boxes would make jobs like this much easier.

[@vicdanny1000]

You're amazing!!! Great tips seen other vids, but no one so smart. God bless!

[@tobyblevins2303]

I went and got me a new Kia after watching this..

[@juststeph54321]

Lol I literally heard the commercial AFTER seeing this comment😂😂😂 and I skipped the beginning to the 5 minute mark. 😂😂

[@silentrage5677]

I'm 15 and we are going the cheap route on repairing my great grandparents 1974 mobile home so far I've done a lot of the work watching videos like this and doing it like 99.9% right next I'm going to be doing the bathroom under the toilet and bath tub need replacing and dont rly want to do it until I know how to do it right any tips?

[@AlexanderDyer]

Measure twice, cut once.

[@166dragonfly]

Wish you could come fix my floor. Great job!

[@dwilker1]

Thank you for this vid. More informative than other videos on this topic. Very helpful.

[@AlexanderDyer]

I am glad you found it to be useful.

[@CreativeSoulTV]

Thanks for making this helpful video, I will be sure to try this out!

[@StinaMama]

I like the extra support you added ! Long term stability 💪🏻

[@AlexanderDyer]

💪

[@BigSteveORama]

good job man...very creative..i'm impressed.

[@yblocker]

awesome, thought there was a ton more to it. thanks I think I might be able to tackle this without expensive contractors, damn old leaky water heater in my mobile home. thanks again

[@sherrymalone7542]

That's was best I saw yet..you make it look so easy!

[@AlexanderDyer]

Thanks!

[@luckyducky224]

Great job and thank you for sharing

[@lwriker1304]

Did bathrooms (kids &tubs) and in process of a hall and gaming room. Mostly pet damage over 35 years. Thanx!

[@yolandarivera6872]

Great work , thank you . Now I know what to do

[@jerricorbett7461]

Thorough with great detail! Just what I needed to see! Thank you

[@AlexanderDyer]

Glad it was helpful!

[@igotyourback209]

I have to do my bathroom floor thanks for show how to I seen many other ways and I like this one 👍👍

[@NURU-dm8cc]

X2

[@TheRpapito]

brilliant with the box inside a box for support!! thanks

[@adgeebike9173]

Good idea, I like the box idea. Nice one mate.

[@AlexanderDyer]

Thanks, it works.

[@patriciabunchek4808]

Just wondering why you didn’t replace the insulation? It looked nasty and probably was wet at some point?

[@protozee]

best I ve seen thanks - just what I needed, thanks

[@AlexanderDyer]

Glad it helped

[@Dcthetruth85]

I like that vacuum trick while cutting.

[@SHINdanny]

It´s just about crossing your hands :D

[@AlexanderDyer]

Yeah, that worked out well. It took two of us.

[@JustinCrafts]

Huge help! Thanks so much!

[@mortonj02]

Thanks for making this video, going to have to make use of it someday soon! Great idea to set the blade to thickness of floor...scared of severing all the wires. :)

[@shawnmargulies8722]

All plumbingvand wires are below the floor joist iys mainly so you aren't cutting into the joist

[@nunurbuisness5578]

I own a house built in 1956 it has original hardwood floors currently covered by ugly carpet but my subfloor has uneven parts to it the floor joists are good I'm thinking or replacing the entire floor and using this method where the walls are at

[@stevebarnes8544]

That was awesome!!! Been struggling with 2 holes for 3 days now

[@AlexanderDyer]

It feels great to fix stuff.

[@surfmarko]

Wish I watched this BEFORE I cut my subfloor open. DOH!

[@sreggird60]

I'm actually looking at doing floor repair on my mobile home in about three spots. One was ant damage and the two are water. I just haven't gotten round to seeking bids. I also need to replace a sliding glass door that is next to one leak and the front door too. I'll see about having a package deal done. Thank you for showing what it takes, if I weren't physically unable to do that sort of thing I'd do it myself but I'm a physically disabled veteran.

[@AlexanderDyer]

Thank you for your service.

[@sreggird60]

Thank you. I had a recommended guy come out and he quoted me about $250.00 for each repair. He suggested instead of just replacing the spot under the washing machine to replace the entire floor in the laundry cubby hole.

[@maxg2932]

0% down on any new Kia. Feels like a legit job site. Endless ads!

[@1dariansdad]

Nice. At first I was thinking, "why put all that lumber in the hole when all you need is a cripple between"? Then after you had it all in I could see how much stronger your way is than just toe-nailing the cripples. Thanks

[@Relvideo1]

Great work! This helps me a lot!!

[@AlexanderDyer]

Glad it helped!

[@thebum5231]

Great video, this is almost identical to the spot in my living room that I am about to fix. 👍