Do it Yourself Mobile Home Repair

Roof Repairs

Metal roofs on mobile homes require periodic inspection and maintenance, such as repairing the seams and areas that have loosened or separated. Small openings can lead to big problems, allowing water and small animals access to the mobile home interior. The roof should be inspected each spring and fall. Screw down loose seams or edges and apply roof sealant. The roof should be re-coated with sealant every two to three years. This type of roof coating is best applied on a warm sunny day to ensure that the coating flows evenly. Be cautious about walking on a mobile home roof. Place your feet on the ribs or rafters that support the roof.

Inspect shingle roofs and replace loose or missing shingles. Gutters should be kept clean and in good repair to ensure proper drainage.

Inspect the caulking around windows and doors. A fresh bead of caulking might be necessary to seal out drafts and water where openings or cracks are evident.

Exterior doors and windows should be sealed with weatherstripping. Check storm doors to be sure they close tightly and hinges and door closers are securely fastened. To adjust a storm door, loosen the screws in the hinges, make any needed adjustments and re-tighten the screws.

Inspect the mobile home siding. Repair or replace loose or damaged siding. Even a small opening in the siding can allow water to get in and damage the framing.

Inspect the skirting for damage and make necessary repairs. Replace damaged or missing insulation. Any opening in the skirting can allow cold air to penetrate and make the floors in the mobile home colder.

Clean the furnace and install new filters. Check all vent caps for proper attachment and clear away any debris that may impede proper air flow through the vent. Apply caulking to the roof around the vent pipes.

Chimneys should be inspected and cleaned to remove any buildup of creosote or bird nests. A blocked chimney can be a fire danger due to creosote buildup that could fuel a chimney fire or carbon monoxide escaping into the interior of the mobile home

Check all sink drains and traps for leaks. Most traps are attached to drain pipes with rings containing a nylon washers. It is a simple task to replace the nylon washer and re-tighten the ring. Be careful when using tools on plastic and nylon connections, as they are easily damaged. Even a small continuous drip of water can do serious damage to a mobile home floor.

Replace faucet washers that allow water to drip. A few minutes spent doing this repair saves money on the water bill.

Visually checking around the toilet base will ensure the seal is not allowing water to seep into the flooring. Replace the seal as soon as a leak is detected by lifting the toilet, replacing the seal and reseating the toilet. Replacing the flooring in a mobile home bathroom is an expensive undertaking.