Annual Mobile Home Maintenance: Tasks You Shouldn’t Skip

Do you know what you should be looking for when it comes to maintaining your mobile home? Look over the tasks you shouldn’t skip. 

Three Key Mobile Home Maintenance Points to Check Regularly

No matter what type of home you are living in, keep in mind a few important tips to keep your home in good shape. Manufactured homes, or mobile homes, may have specific items to maintain when compared to a standard home, but let’s take a closer look at how you can do so. 

Foundation

A few signs that show foundation issues can be shifting, cracks or unlevel home. These things can lead to problems with your windows, doors and leveling of your floors. Reach out to professionals to help inspect your home and professionally determine if your home is having foundation issues and the right steps to help with leveling your mobile home. 

Skirting

There are various perks to having skirting on a mobile home. Skirting will help retain heat, allow better stability for the mobile home, provide a finished look to your home on the outside and the inside, and protect pipes from the elements. In order to make sure your home is in good shape, you must regularly look for holes, water damage and see if it is properly ventilated.

Siding

Siding may be an inexpensive alternative to rock or stone, but it can cost you if it’s not maintained properly. There are various types of siding that you can look into, but fiber cement siding is affordable, provides more protection during a hailstorm and is preferred when it comes to insurance. Vinyl siding is one of the most popular choices for homes because it is inexpensive, cheaper and thinner. However, you get what you pay for ­– and it is more prone to mold growth, and rotting.  And more susceptible to hail damage. Find a professional siding cleaning company so you know you are properly caring for the outside of your home. 

Other Tasks to Add to Your Mobile Home Maintenance Checklist

Homes are generally built to provide protection, but changes in weather conditions can affect your home more than you think. Here’s a maintenance checklist to help provide protection and properly weatherproof your home. 

Reseal Window and Vent Caulking

With the temperatures changing throughout the year, your windows are prone to show signs of wear and tear. Check to see if your windows need to be resealed, especially before winter. If there are gaps between the windows, it’ll be difficult to contain the warm and cool air inside. Fixing the gaps in your windows can also help keep your electric bill down. 

Check for Roof Damage

Inspecting your roof for damage should also be on your list. You may be able to identify a few signs that can help determine whether you may need to replace or repair your roof.  Keep tree branches trimmed away from the roof and ensure vents, pipes, flashings, and caulked joints are resealed periodically. Since mobile homes typically have shallow pitched roofs that can catch snow, ensure large snow loads are cleared during winter if you live in an area that experiences snow. If you have a metal roof that is coated in sealant, be sure the sealant is recoated periodically or consider consulting with a contractor to install shingles for superior protection and energy efficiency. If it’s been a few years or there was a severe storm recently, it may be a good idea to have a reputable and professional roofing company inspect it and give you an estimate for any repairs that may be needed.  

Protecting Pipes

Pipes under mobile homes are more prone to freezing because the home is lifted off the ground. In order to prevent damage to your pipes, having insulation under the mobile home and using heat tape to wrap around the pipes will help prevent damage. Heat tape is an electrical warming device that is wrapped around the pipes that provides heat when the temperature gets too low. Heat tape can also be a fire hazard during the warmer months so it’s important to connect it to a thermostat so it can turn off when it’s not needed. 

Clean Your Gutters

Just like any other home, you will have to make sure to clean the gutters regularly. Trees are shedding flowers and leaves during the late spring and fall. All the leaves and debris that can accumulate in your gutters may cause issues to the exterior of your home, your roof and damage to your actual gutters making it more costly in the future. 

Change HVAC Filters

Clean air filters and vents can allow cleaner air flow throughout your home. Make sure you change your air filter every one to three months. If you have pets or smoke indoors, you may have to change it more often. If you live in a state where you enjoy all four seasons, you should consider having your HVAC inspected a couple times a year so you can be sure that everything is working properly. 

Deep Clean the Interior

Maintaining the inside of your home in good condition is probably an easier one to tackle. You can create a schedule or task list to help you stay on top of cleaning things like surfaces, fixtures, vents, walls, and floors inside. Doing so often can also help you notice any other damage listed previously before it’s too late. 

Protect What’s Yours

There are many things that you have to keep an eye on to maintain your mobile home, but your local Farm Bureau agent can help you find coverage that works for you.