Water damaged floor repair help needed

[keith bremner]

I own an Islander 36 ('83) and had a small leak combined with a battery problem which led to 4 inches of water above the wood flooring. The floor where the water sat is now stained and I want to see if I can get it back to match the undamaged flooring.

I tried some steel wool to see if I could sand it out a little but it wasn't very effective. I am not really sure what is on the floor to begin with - a wax or a dull varnish perhaps?

Any ideas on how to restore? I am not a great handiman so is this something I should for which I should call in a specialist.

Also, the flooring is bowed slightly above one of the cross joists(?) (in the bilge). It is springy above that joist in that it is not being supported by it, or connected to it. It is fairly dry now but perhaps needs more time and will settle? Or do I try to glue it down? Or again, a specialist?

Thanks

 

[Tim R.]

If it is a plywood veneer that is not very thick then that stain will probably not sand out. It will probably never be right untill you replace the entire sole.

If the teak is solid or a thicker veneer(1/4") you may be able to sand out the stain.

To reattach the sole to the cross member, screw it down with some countersunk ss screws and cover with 3/8" bungs, sand and finish. Then again, if it is that badly bowed it may be beyond repair. 25 years from the original sole is not bad. I replaced mine last year on my '85 ericson.

 

[sailingdog]

How long was the cabin sole submerged for, and what is it made of? Without more information, it is hard to say what the best recourse for you will be. It would probably be wise to check to see if the stringers and floors in the boat are still structurally sound if the boat had standing water in it for any length of time.

As for fasteners, I think silicon bronze screws would be a better choice than stainless steel...

 

[Ross]

Oxalic acid is your best hope for the stain. What the others have said concerning the structrual aspect of the floor is valid. The sole in my Islander is black walnut planking fastened with screws, ovalhead stainless steel. That way I can remove one or several boards for access to the bilge.

 

[hoistasail]

If you only had some stain discolor from water damage... I once had a flooring expert lift a water stain on my hard wood floor with Mayo! Don't ask me how it works but it turned out nice. The Mayo lifted the stain (that had been there a while from a plant pot) right out and after some very light sanding... stained it to match the rest of the floor.