What is delamination and how can you fix it?

If you start to notice the floor of your motorhome feeling a bit spongy underfoot or making a noise, you shouldn’t ignore it. This could be something called delamination.

Declamation is when the glue which binds the different layers of your vehicle’s floor starts to wear off.

It’s a common problem, but one that needs swift action so it doesn’t become a bigger issue.

In this article, we’ll talk you through your options on getting it fixed, which ultimately boil down to you doing it yourself or calling in the experts.

A quick and effective fix will ensure your pride and joy remains in its best condition.

After all, the reason you bought a motorhome in the first place was for its superior levels of comfort when you’re out on the road.

 

What causes delamination?

You might be wondering if you’ve caused your motorhome’s floor layer to separate.

But the likelihood is that it’s nothing you’ve done – unfortunately the special glue that binds the plywood and Styrofoam insulation that makes up the layers of any motorhome floor becomes weaker and less effective over time and that’s when separation starts to happen.

Damp or a water leak can exacerbate a delamination. There are some horror stories out there from motorhome owners who have sprung a leak and it goes on to cause all sorts of expensive delamination issues.

However, there doesn’t have to be a leak for delamination to occur. Even dry floors can delaminate.

The areas that are most prone to delamination are where the most ‘traffic’ is i.e. the parts of the floor that you spend the most time walking on.

How can you fix delamination?

As we’ve already mentioned, if you just leave a delaminated floor, it can start to spread throughout your motorhome.

Before you know it, you’ve got to get the whole floor repaired, which could end up costing you a pretty penny.

So, the key is to rectify it as soon as you notice a bit of extra spring or creakiness about the floor.

In terms of getting it fixed, it’s not inconceivable to do it yourself, even if you don’t have a great deal of DIY experience.

If you’re prepared to give it a go yourself, it can prove to be a relatively cheap fix. All you need is a delamination repair kit, which can be easily found online.

A delamination repair kit will usually include a mains substance and hardener which you mix together, like this one sold on Magnum Motorhomes.

With your repair kit in hand, here’s how you fix your delamination problem:

1. Remove the carpet (you’ll replace it later, don’t worry).
2. Drill holes into the affected areas, approximately 10cm x 10cm in size. The holes need to go through the top layer of plywood and Styrofoam insulation, but be careful not to drill through the exterior layer of plywood.
3. Fill the holes with the adhesive in your repair kit. The glue will harden once you’ve used it, creating a sturdy support structure.
4. Repair the holes that you’ve drilled into the floor. Wooden dowels are often a good hole-filling material. Make sure you buy them in advance and drill the holes to the size of the dowels.
5. Clean up any excess glue that may have spilled out.
6. Refit the carpet.

 

Job done! It’s as easy as that. Once you’re happy that the glue has set – give it 24 hours – you can try to walk on the floor to test it out.

Fingers crossed, the springiness and creaking should be gone. No more waking up your motorhome companions in the middle of the night as you get up to use the toilet.

If you don’t feel comfortable repairing your floor yourself, you can always get an expert to do it for you.

It goes without saying that this will end up costing you more money, but just how much?

It depends on how big the delamination issue is. That’s probably not the answer that you wanted to hear, but it’s the truth.

It can be as cheap as £100-150 to upwards of £1,000.

While the materials to fix the issue are quite cheap – as you’ve already seen yourself – it’s the man hours which can see the costs rack up.

Things can get more complicated – and expensive – if the professionals find a secondary issue like damp or a leak as they go about rectifying the delamination.

But, on the bright side – if you can call it that – this would’ve had to be sorted sooner or later anyway, and it’s better that it was spotted now rather than two months down the line when the damage could have been much worse.

 

Is your motorhome still under warranty?

Before you go about carrying out any work, the first thing you need to do is check whether your motorhome is still under the manufacturer’s warranty.

If you think it might be, the best thing to do is to check your paperwork or ask the manufacturer to find out if you’re covered.

If you are, you might not have to worry about buying a delamination repair kit or hiring a professional.

 

What does motorhome insurance cover?

While you’re in the business of protecting your motorhome, it’s a good time to check you’re getting the best motorhome insurance available.

Motorhome insurance can come with many different benefits to help you enjoy your travels to the fullest.

These can include:

• Unlimited cover across all the countries that are part of the European Union.
• Cover for camping personal effects for up to £3,000.
• Up to six months to complete a self-restoration.
• Cover for motorhomes with a value up to £150,000.
• Unlimited mileage cover.
• Introductory NCB allowed.
• Consideration of all claims and convictions.

Note that these features and benefits are subject to eligibility and underwriting criteria. Get in touch with us to see which features apply to your motorhome.

Speak to Motorhome Protect today to get a motorhome insurance policy that’s right for you.