Renovating a Retro/Vintage Caravan-Rot, Rot and more Rot

Doing up Daisy! 

Keep in mind Daisy is over 47 years old, she is going to have a few bits of damp and most likely rot. We knew that she had some damp, due to the window seals being broken and condensation dripping in. We brought her knowing full well that there maybe rot hidden under the damaged wall panels. 

At some point there has been a leak in this part of the van (under the bathroom.) It looks like an extra bit of wood was used, most likely to give more strength to this area or cover up a bit of a 'quick fix.' 

Rot, rot and more rot! I was hoping that we would only have to replace the damaged panels, due to time constraints. But it must be love as even though we have uncovered what looks like lots of wet rot, am not at all worried. Having got great advice on what to do, I ordered some wood treatment and new proper sealant

While we were waiting we made a start on the prep!

Clean up and see what you have got, getting the rotten floor up as let her breath again and already feels like she is drying out. Don't throw it away just yet, as it will come in handy to use as a template. 

After we had taken out the bathroom, we started to strip way the walls (keeping what we could to use as a template.) To get to the bits which needed to be replaced and to see what needed to be done. We had to take out the bed. We moved this to the front of the van out the way so we could see what we where left with! 

Lots of added in wood, lots of small repairs.

I wanted to get out the small bit of joining wood which was between the bathroom and the main room. 

With this removed, it looks so much better. Lucky we shouldn't have to replace this window ledge.

She is becoming a much bigger job than I had hoped, due to time constraints. But it's inportant to get this early work right, as if we where to miss a big bit of rot it will make more problems down the line! 

It was great to find lots of good wood, around the window!!

At some point mice had made their home in Daisy! Lots of insolation was missing so we can get that put right! 

This is the wood preserver and sealant we ordered. We wanted to make sure we had this before removing the awning rail on the outside.

Removing all the rotten floor was a little scary, being able to see the ground below did worry me!

The supporting beam at the back had rotted and needed to be removed. This was screwed in from underneath. 

This is the new beam, cut to size and about to be treated. The wood that was ok has had a layer of wood treatment as well. 

New treated wood, screwed in, which will hold the new bit of flooring. 

New bit of flooring down. The two extra pieces are there to give the joins some extra support and strength. I will add sealant over all the screws too. Now to start building the frame for the new wall! 

Now the new floor is in, I could start rebuilding the frame. Having taken off the awning rail, I could pull out all the rotten wood and add in the new. Then screw the awning rail back into the new wood. Having added in lots of sealant. 

This was quite hard, a few *mummy wishes she could swear right now* moments. As the frame I had made was not as tight in the corner, as the old one so the screws where screwing into the air! A bit more wood and a stronger screw driver and we got there! She is now watertight in this corner! Am going to add a few more new bits of wood to add strength to this wall. 

Awning rail back on and new sealant in!

Such a big difference and just a few more bits of wood to go! 

Here is a quick video, will upload a more detailed one soon. 

(Found on pinintrest)

This image is close to what I think it will feeling like to sit on the back extended bunk. I can wait to get to the point where we can start building the extra section so we can extend the bunk over where the bathroom was. I think it will make the perfect place to sit and read a book (if the mini people let me!) Keeping this image in my head has helped me see through all the rotten wood am pulling out of the back of Daisy! A lot of my spare time is spent on pinintrest, keeping my imagination going to push me onwards!

Next side, started! First job was to pull out the rotten wood and treat the remaining wood. 

As the floor is still intact this side it made it harder to pull out the rotten parts. 

I've started to rebuild the frame from the bottom.  

Work is currently going quite slow this week, working around nap times. Looking forward to finishing this side off this weekend, so we can get the rail back on. Fingers crossed no more rain while it's off! 

***note to self, don't panic***

Not much wood left to replace now, then we can wire in the lights and board her back up! 

She's looking a lot better! Insolation in place and all her lights are working! Very excited to board her up and that's all the rot at the back of Daisy finished....think next spring when I look at the skylight and front. Eeek.....

Check out the other blogs about 'Doing up Daisy!' by clicking here

At last it really feels like am getting somewhere! Last of the plyboarding done! Just a shelf to make to give her a little of stability, as we removed the shelfs and bathroom. To see her off on her adventures, click here.