I started work on my trailer today. First and foremost was removing the smell, the source of which was the filthy green berber carpet that the previous owners had installed, and apparently never thought about again.The reasons for carpet removal were two-fold. First, as previously mentioned, the odor had to go and nothing holds old stink like fabric. Febreeze wouldn't have made a dent in this stuff. Secondly however, and more importantly, was the need to remove the carpet in order to ascertain the state of the floorboards underneath. The water damage that was visible in the front panel had me concerned that there might be more covert damage elsewhere.
Upon removing the carpet I found the original linoleum, rotting and mildewing underneath the suffocating weight of the green monster that had been (literally) taped to the floor by someone who was no doubt more concerned about covering up their problems than solving them.
Two key pieces of information were discovered however. First, that there had, at one point, been a fire in the trailer. Part of the frame of the passenger side bench is blackened and will need to be replaced. Secondly, while the floor boards are in relatively good shape, there is a section that gives slightly and may need to be reinforced.
Like any project, this one promises to be more involved than originally anticipated. But it also promises to be fun. This trailer is my home and I finally have something to pour all my nesting energy into; something that is actually mine!
