Gaining Mobile Home Attic Access For Insulation Or Repairs

Does your mobile home have attic access? Where? How? And if not, how do you get mobile home attic access?

There are several reasons you may wish to gain access to an attic space.

For instance, although you’re loving your mobile home, you may feel that added insulation would increase your energy efficiency. It’s a great idea. Or perhaps, you simply need to get in there for repairs. Electrical repairs or air ductwork may require that you have access to the attic.

Well, mobile home attic access is today’s topic and we think you’ll find we did it justice in the following run down.

Do Mobile Homes Have Attics?

Most mobile homes do not have attic access

Interestingly, most manufactured homes do not come with an attic access for new homeowners. This is due to the fact that most mobile homes have very little space between the ceiling and roofing, so the manufacturers figure, “why bother with it?”

However, there is enough room up there for a little storage or attic access for repair. Or maintenance. And there is enough reason (such as attic ventilation) you may wish to have access to that space.

On the upside of things, even if you do not have mobile home attic access, there is a silver lining.

How To Access Ceiling Ducts in a Mobile Home

What is this silver lining?

Well, you’re facing a dilemma with a feasible solution. Creating your own mobile home attic access is not that difficult with a little handyman savviness. Making an effort to gain mobile home attic access gives you the ability to climb up and work on increasing the energy efficiency of your home or take care of electrical repairs or upgrades.

Materials and tools

As you shop for project materials, you’ll need four 2×4 boards at least 24″ long, some self-tapping wood screws, and nails.

When it comes to the tools you’ll be using, you’ll want to use a drill with proper attachment for the screw. A stud finder, carpenter’s pencil, hammer, nails, and a reciprocating saw will also be needed.

Getting started: how to access ceiling ducts in a mobile home

First, you’ll want to layout the 2×4 pieces in a square shape. This will be for your access opening.

Next, using the 3-inch self-tapping wood screws, connect the ends of each 2×4 board. This will hold the square together.

Most ceiling studs will be spaced about 16 inches apart. So with a stud finder in hand, see about finding your ceiling studs. Once you’ve found two studs for your access opening, mark them with your carpenter’s pencil. These two studs will add stability to the opening.

Holding the square 2×4 frame flat against the ceiling, make sure the studs are spaced properly across the frame’s length. Once you’ve got it placed right, go ahead and trace your frame onto the ceiling. Use your carpenter’s pencil.

Carefully, poke some small holes on the side of each stud. You may use your hammer and a nail to achieve this step. Pull some the material out, giving yourself a hole big enough to assess what wiring may be in the way of cutting the access hole out. We suggest cutting off the power and moving the cables aside if you can. You may need to call in an electrician to deal with getting these cables moved out of that area.

Make your entry

With that careful reconnaissance work done, you’re ready to cut the traced square out of your ceiling. This is where your reciprocating saw will come in handy. Stick the blade into one of the holes you recreated and “trace” the pencil marks to cut out the access hole.

After your hole is made, take your frame and push it in place. If you did things properly, it should fit securely in the hole, flush against the ceiling studs.

Afterward, use your drill and proper attachment to secure your frame to the ceiling studs. You’ll want to use two 3-inch self-tapping wood screws.

You’re almost done!

Finally, install the attic access door. (Or make one!)

As a result of your hard work, you now have mobile home attic access. This will prove useful for any repairs that require running wiring across and through the ceiling, installing new lighting fixtures or special appliances.

You’re all set!

There you have it – mobile home attic access at your fingertips. See? It’s not so hard. But if you’re still feeling daunted by the task, there’s no shame in hiring a professional to take care of it for you. If they know what they’re doing, they’ll be in and out of your way in a flash.

If you’re looking to work on increasing your home’s energy efficiency via added insulation, here are a few things you should know about mobile home insulation.