From the Roof Down: Mobile Homes Care and Maintenance

Posted by Roofco April 16, 2019

For people who find stick-built houses rather expensive, mobile homes are making their homeownership dream come true. This type of homes are prefabricated structures and just like conventional houses, they can be any size; from large- multi-section units to small single section units. Mobile homes can also have cathedral ceilings, fireplaces and even basements. You could even have a 2-story fabricated home if you like! Because of their flexibility, energy efficiency, and affordability, many people are completely satisfied living in their manufactured homes. But like any other home, mobile homes require care and maintenance. Here are the best maintenance practices from top to bottom.

The roof is the most crucial part

The roof is the most crucial part of your manufactured home. Regular maintenance from a reputable roofing repair company is critical for the home’s longevity. As a matter of fact, for both mobile homes and conventional ones, roof maintenance prevents hefty expenses down-the-road. While many older manufactured homes have galvanized sheets of steel or metal roofs, newer mobile homes are made of shingles. So obviously, care and maintenance differ. For both types, cleaning is mandatory. You need to remove any debris; that includes twigs, branches, acorns, and leaves. Debris build-up will trap water in the roof and also block the gutters, eventually causing roof damage. Metal roofs can’t sustain much weight so don’t make the mistake of standing on the roof. Instead, use a ladder and use a broom to sweep the debris. Also, any seams or holes in the roof needs immediate repair; otherwise you’ll end up dealing with roof leaks.

Making the walls eye candy

If you’ve lived in a mobile home, you’re familiar with those darn strips used to hide the cracks in the drywall. Usually, manufactured homes are constructed using pre-wallpapered drywall, and on the surface matching strips are applied. For aesthetics sake and additional protection of the walls, you can have beadboard walls installed. Ply bead adds tons of character on your wall aside providing better sound insulation. To clean beadboard walls, use a duster or soft brush to remove debris or loose dust.  Then wipe dry with a second cloth. If your interior walls have vinyl coverings, use a soft cloth dipped in mild detergent and wipe the surface.

You don’t want to turn your floor into a bobby trap

The sub-flooring of most mobile homes consists of particle board. While this material is the most durable material used for fabricated homes flooring, it’s unfortunately also extremely absorbent. When exposed to moisture, over time, particle board sucks up moisture like a sponge. Eventually, the floor gets soggy and begins to rot. If when stepping on the floor you notice one spot lower than the rest of the floor, your floor needs replacement. Soft spots can damage other parts of the manufactured home. It is therefore important to keep inspecting your floor. Neglecting a soft spot will turn it into a booby trap and one too many steps and your foot falls right through. As a preventative measure, avoid pouring fluids on the floor. Additionally, inspect your floor regularly and in case identify some soft spots, don’t postpone getting a new subfloor installation.

As with any investment, a good deal of care and maintenance is mandatory for optimal conditions, and a mobile home is no different. Taking care of the roof and ceiling; the walls; and the flooring will help you keep your manufactured home in tip-top condition for a long time