Fall is the perfect time to take care of big home repair projects before shorter days make outdoor work too difficult. It’s important to prepare for the cold, and possibly wet, winter months to prevent costly damage. Below are the preventative home maintenance steps that every home owner should follow.
Foundation
According to Mobile Home Living, the most important tip a professional can give a mobile home owner is to check your home every year to ensure the it is level. Mobile homes can settle over time. If the mobile home is not level or properly supported, the framing and other things such as plumbing will suffer.
Roof Maintenance
If your mobile home is having a flat roof, you will have to re-coat or reseal the roof regularly; some of the mobile home manuals say that the resealing should be done once in a year.
Ensure that the flashing is in good condition and that there are no cracked caulking or soft spots. Flashing is a thin material that covers cross-section where the roof meets the exterior wall, for instance. You should also ensure that the right coating is used, as aluminum or asphalt coatings cannot be used on rubber (EPDM) or PVC roofs.
Regularly checking your gutter system is an easy way to prevent foundation and roof damage. Clogged gutters can result in water damage and leaking.
Insulation
Check for any drafts, inspecting and replacing weather stripping and tightening the hinges on your doors. You may need to add caulk to these areas, too, to help keep cold air out and increase your energy efficiency. This is also a great time to add insulation to outside walls.
The skirting or the perimeter enclosure of a mobile home is a much important part, as the skirting acts as an insulator for the house. Manufactured House states that it offers protection from pests and adds appeal to your home. Therefore, the skirting of the mobile home should be secure to keep away rodents, while offering necessary venting to prevent humidity and mold from damaging the home.
Plumbing
Mobile home plumbing is a bit different from site-built homes, but the same concept applies: the plumbing system has a supply line, a waste or drain line, and ventilation. If you have water leaks in your home, there may be an issue with the pipes, water lines, sink, appliances, faucets, or refrigerator waterline.
Ideally, all mobile homes will have a shut-off valve at every water feature. If possible, add one to the toilet and faucets in the bathroom and kitchen. Make sure you know where your main shut-off valve is to your home, too.
Electrical
Test out all the outlets, appliances and light switches. Be sure they are working. If not, you may need to reach out to an electrical company.
Heating and A/C
Heating and air will be tested for optimum performance for the units according to the house standards.
Yard
Although grass appears to stop growing in the fall, the roots are actually growing deeper to prepare for winter. Now is the best time to fertilize and reseed your lawn. Prune your trees and shrubs after the leaves turn to encourage healthy growth. Trim any tree limbs that are dangerously close to power lines or the roof of your house. Heavy snow and ice can cause damage in the winter.
Sources:
Adkins, Crystal. “6 Mobile Home Maintenance Tips Every Homeowner Should Know.” Mobile Home Living, Mobile Home Living, 16 Sept. 2019, mobilehomeliving.org/6-mobile-home-maintenance-tips-every-owner-should-know/.
Graham, Shawn, and Shawn GrahamShawn Graham. “Your Essential Fall Mobile Home Maintenance Checklist.” MHVillager, 24 Oct. 2019, http://www.mhvillage.com/blog/fall-mobile-home-maintenance/.
“The 2019 Year-Round Mobile Home Maintenance Guide.” US Mobile Home Pros, 9 Jan. 2019, http://www.mobilehomesell.com/mobile-home-maintenance-guide/.
Leighton, Dan. “A Complete Mobile Home Inspection Checklist For The Homeowner.” EZ Homes, 2 Oct. 2018, http://www.mhomebuyers.com/mobile-home-inspection-checklist/.
Staff, ManufacturedHouse.com. “Mobile Home Maintenance Tips That You Must Know.” Manufactured Housing, 23 Mar. 2017, manufacturedhouse.com/mobile-home-manufacturer/mobile-home-maintenance-tips-that-you-must-know/.
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