It is crucial to maintain your manufactured home for many reasons. To preserve the home's value and build equity in the future, good maintenance is essential. It is also important to maintain the home's safety and comfort throughout the year. Although it may not be fun or exciting all the time, maintenance is an essential responsibility for both renters and owners of manufactured homes.
Some tasks are only necessary once a year, and others need to be done twice a year. These actions may take some time, but they will make your home more comfortable and last for many years. However, these tasks can become costly and frustrating if not completed every year.
BASED OR FOUNDATION
Make sure your Mobile home is level and solid.
You should inspect your foundation and support structure for cracks or other imbalances that could be caused by settling. This is a critical item to inspect each year, especially if you move into a new home for the first few years. Mobile homes can sink and settle, just like site-built houses. To account for shifting, a manufactured home should be checked on a semi-regular schedule. For homes with permanent or more complex foundations, it is important to have them checked at least twice a year to ensure that shifting doesn't occur.
Unleveled foundations can lead to a host of other problems, including doors and windows that don't close or seal properly, cracks in walls, and drafts of humidity and air. A small amount of stress on a single part of the house can cause it to age faster and even lead to warping or bowing. Check your home's level with a water level or a standard carpenter's level. Visible cracking, shifting, or sagging is usually the most obvious sign of damage in permanent foundations like basement foundations, slab foundations, crawl spaces, and basement foundations.
UNDERPINNING
Avoid excess moisture and look for holes.
Your manufactured home's skirting, or perimeter enclosure, is designed to prevent moisture from entering the underside of the home. Regularly check your solid skirting for cracks or holes that could allow moisture (or rodents) to get in. to enter the house.
You don't want any holes or damage to your skirting's solid part, but you still need to ensure that the skirting is adequately ventilated. Excellent and many skirt ventilation is one square foot per 150 square feet. Proper ventilation will prevent moisture from building up under the home. This can lead to uncomfortable humidity and difficulty regulating the temperature. Lack of ventilation or holes in the skirting can cause moisture problems under the house.
Roof OR CEILING
Inspect for damage and recoat.
You should inspect the roof at least twice per year to ensure no debris or missing or broken shingles. Also, make sure to check the flashing for cracks and soft spots. Any roof imperfections or weakness could allow moisture, air, or vermin to get into the home's roof cavity.
It is a good idea to recoat your manufactured home's roof every year, especially if it has a flat roof. Roof coating is crucial for keeping your indoor temperature-controlled and your home dry. The type of roof you have will determine the type of coating that you require. Asphalt and aluminum coatings are not suitable for rubber roofs (EPDM) or PVC. Also, you should inspect your roof regularly for any debris or missing or broken shingles. Finally, make sure that your flashing is in good shape.
DRAIN
Keep them clean.
Cleaning your gutters regularly is one of the best ways to protect the roof and exterior of your manufactured house. However, clogged drains can lead to water damage and leaks. Clogged gutters can cause significant damage to your home and property if left untreated.
Even if you live far from large trees, dirt, leaves, and even rocks can still be carried through the air to your gutters. Therefore, aIn addition, many homeowners should clean out their gutters at least once per year. If you live in an area where snow or rain is common, it is a good idea to check and clean your gutters at least twice a year.
COATING OR SIDING
It must be cleaned, not ignored.
To prevent mold and mildew from growing on exterior panels, make sure you clean your siding often. It is an important part of a manufactured house that is often neglected when maintaining it. However, it should be on your annual list. Vinyl siding is the most popular type of siding. Water with detergent can be used to clean it.
Sometimes mildew is more challenging to get rid of, especially if it hasn’t been cleaned or scrubbed for a while. A helpful tip is to make a 1:13 solution with chlorine bleach and water. Although this is an effective way to get rid of the mildew it can also be dangerous because bleach can react with other substances.
You can also find unique cleaning products that will remove mold and rust from the exterior of your home. It is a great way to maintain your home's exterior siding in top condition and prevent any future damage.
WINDOWS AND VENTS
Review, seal and then repeat.
It is a good idea to check the caulking around windows and vents. This is especially important if you live in an area with high temperatures. Temperature changes can cause caulking shrinkage, splitting, or breaking down. This can lead to cracks, gaps, or warping of the seals that protect your home’s climate. In addition, airflow can enter your home through holes in seals around windows and vents. This will make your home less comfortable, as well as increase your cooling or heating costs.
People often overlook the seals around their windows that need to be checked before winter, but they forget about seals around vents, pipes, and other parts that can be sealed against outside exposure with sealant or caulking. You can keep your home comfortable by filling once a year before the cool weather arrives.
AIR, HEATING, and HVAC Systems
Vacuum annually and clean your filters often.
To improve the quality of your manufactured home's air, you should clean out your heating and air ventilation systems at least once a year. Regularly changing your filters will not only keep your home clean and comfortable, but it can also reduce the risk of developing allergies or asthma.
While changing and cleaning filters can be a big step in maintaining air cleanliness and system maintenance, it is also a good idea to vacuum the entire air system once a year. This can be done by renting a vacuum or hiring professionals to inspect your air system, ducts, and vents. This maintenance can also prolong the life of your HVAC, heating, and cooling systems, which can help you save money over the long term. In addition, preventative maintenance and cleaning are the best way to save money on replacing an entire air system.
Smart Cleaning Indoors
Use gentle products and solutions.
To avoid discoloration, wipe down surfaces and fixtures annually with a mild detergent. Although most cleaning in your home is done more often than once per year, you must remember the potential dangers of using abrasive cleaners. Some items can become yellowed, faded, or discolored by the harsh chemicals found in these cleaning products. Avoid using harsh chemicals like bleach in your home, especially fiberglass fixtures such as sinks, tubs, and showers. These features can look older and tarnished if they are cleaned indoors with corrosive chemicals.
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