MOBILE HOME MAINTENANCE IS CRITICAL FOR A LONG LASTING HOME
The secret to a beautiful home is making sure you take care of it inside and out. Routine maintenance will go a long way to ensure that your mobile home is safe, comfortable and lasts for as long as you want to enjoy it. From top to bottom, we’ve dedicated several articles to the maintenance of your mobile home. Let’s take it from the top.
CARING FOR YOUR MOBILE HOMES ROOF
One of the most important parts of your mobile home that requires regular maintenance is a place we often don’t notice until it’s too late. If you put in a little time and effort each season, you will find that roof maintenance is both cost-effective and can keep you from serious expenses down-the-road. Whether you have a metal roof or shingles, here are some steps to begin caring for your mobile home roof right now.
GETTING THE SHINE BACK IN THAT METAL ROOF
Image Credit: md-roofover.com
Many older mobile homes have metal roofs or galvanized sheets of steel.
Even though rain is water, and snow is white, they still make things dirty. And if you live near trees, and other messy attackers, your roof will also be barraged with leaves, buds, twigs etc.
“What’s the big deal?”
Any of these suspects can cause grime and debris to build up in the seams along your rooftop, joints, and edges. If there is enough build up, it can separate the seams and lead to leaking, extensive water damage, and mold.
To keep your roof healthy and long-lasting, it is recommended that you regularly clean off any debris with a long-handled brush.
About twice a year (perhaps more depending on the climate and conditions where your mobile home is situated), you’ll want to complete a more thorough cleaning. If you are steady enough to do the job yourself, we ask you to take necessary precautions and not attempt anything that is physically too difficult or dangerous. If you aren’t sure of yourself, stop right here and hire a professional.
In order to complete the job yourself, here are the supplies you will need:
Supplies:
- Ladder
- Bucket
- Gloves
- Scrub brush
- Soap and bleach mixture
- Putty knife
- Roof cement
- Sheet metal
- Silicon caulk
- Roof coating
- Roof brush and/or a ¾ inch nap roller
Now that your supply list is in order, check out the steps below and be sure to read the tips following before performing any maintenance:
- Step 1: Safety check! Before the actual cleaning of the roof, make sure you set up your ladder correctly. The ladder should be set on a flat, level place and secured in a safe position. Many people are injured by poor ladder positioning, so we highly recommend that you visit this website for helpful visual aids and clear instructions.
- Step 2: Clean that roof! A telescopic scrub brush will make this job much easier. And if you can find one with a soap dispenser, even better! If you need to use a bucket, keep your mixture of water and bleach on the ground or make sure it is secured in a safe, easy-to-reach location. Perform a thorough cleaning of the entire roof, making sure to move the ladder when an area is out of your reach. Finish cleaning the entire roof before performing any of the steps below.
- Step 3: From the safety of your ladder, look for any holes that may have opened up from the wear and tear of weather or built-up debris. If it is a small hole, you should be able to cover it up with roofing cement. (Apply the roofing cement with a small putty knife.) Some holes will be too big for patchwork. You will need to put on some gloves, cut a piece of sheet metal to cover the entire opening and use silicon caulking to attach the sheet metal patch.
- Step 4: Your mobile home roof is now cleaned up and patched up. Time to coat the entire roof. Roof-coating will cover up any holes created by rust and also prevent the roof from further rusting. The coating will also reinforce and seal any large holes you covered with sheet metal and caulk. Apply the roof coating with a roof brush or roller. Again, be careful to reposition your ladder and don’t reach too far.
- Step 5: Paint it up! Painting your metal roof will look nice and keep away that pesky rust.
Follow these safety tips for when performing your mobile home maintenance to your roof:
- Make sure not to step directly on your mobile home roof, it can not support your weight.
- You can use a pressure sprayer to clean your roof, but don’t turn the pressure too high, as it will dent the aluminum.
- ALWAYS use gloves when cutting or attaching sheet metal.
- When buying your roof coating, roof cement, or paint, make sure that it is made specifically for mobile homes or aluminum surfaces.
- With caulking, painting, and coating, follow the directions provided with each one you buy for best results.
- Coat all the seams on the roof of your mobile home at least once a year.
Keep your mobile home’s metal roof maintained and healthy, and it will keep you protected from all the outside elements.
SHINGLED ROOFS LAST LONGER WITH SOME TLC
Most newer models of mobile homes have shingled roofs. Shingled roofs are made by installing asphalt shingles to the wooden decking that frames your roof.
Similar to the flat metal roofs, you will need to watch for any buildup of debris: branches, twigs, leaves, acorns, snow, ice, etc.
Debris that is left alone can create what are called “dams.” A little like beaver dams, a dam on your roof is formed when the buildup of debris traps water on the shingles.
The danger of these dams is that the water can go underneath the shingles and cause a leak, eventually leading to water damage in the roof, and possibly other areas of your mobile home.
Let’s look into how we clean off our shingles!
Clearing General Debris
This may not sound too attractive, but the best way to clean up branches, leaves, and other things is to pick them up by hand. If you don’t feel stable enough to walk around your roof, please hire a professional to clean your roof for you. Your personal safety is more important than saving money.
- Safety tip: As we mentioned above, make sure you set up your ladder correctly. This website has pictures and step-by-step instructions for the safest ladder positions in different settings and with different ladder types.
If you don’t feel that roaming your roof, stooping over and picking up debris is the most efficient use of your time, try using the second best option…a leaf blower. Although easier on your back, you should be aware that it will not be able to remove all the debris that has been wedged in and around your shingles. Sometimes the best way is the hard way!
The third option for clearing debris is a broom or long brush. However, do not apply too much pressure when sweeping because you can remove the granules from your shingles. Mobile home maintenance can result in cutting down the life of your roof in half!
COATING YOUR SHINGLES TIP
Now that you’ve cleaned your roof, this is the perfect time to protect the shingles from further damage. We recommend that you buy a high-quality roof-coating for asphalt shingles that allows moisture to vaporize without letting water seep through the shingles.
You can apply the coating with a roller or a hand-pumped sprayer. After the first coat dries, apply a second coat to create a protective surface layer. This layer will keep the shingle granules from falling off and make sure the shingles don’t crack, curl or leak. It can also seal up small cracks and holes.
Tip: Make sure you follow the instructions for the coating your purchase.
ALGAE AND STAIN REMOVAL
Have you ever noticed dark stains on your roof? It is most commonly called “roof mold,” but it is actually algae that have formed on your roof due to dampness. The north side of homes is more likely to get algae stains since it receives less sunlight.
To prevent algae from forming on your shingles, you can use algae-proof shingles for your roof. If you don’t need new shingles yet, but already have algae stains, you can use a cleaning solution such as hot water and soap or bleach.
Don’t use a power washer to clean your roof! It can void warranties and also ruin the granules on the shingles.
MOSSY MONSTER ATTACK!
Image Credit: westchesternyroofers.com
If you live where the climate is cool and moist you will have to deal with moss. It might look beautiful or mysterious in the movies, but it can cause serious damage to your home! Real roof rot and the damage it causes may not be repairable. This would mean buying new shingles or an entirely new roof! Continual mobile home maintenance can be preventative but never 100%.
There are three ways to keep the moss off of your mobile home.
- Trim trees, or even cut them down, as the shade is a huge ingredient to the growth of moss.
- Try to keep your roof dry. This goes back to the basics: keep your roof free from debris that can build up and create dams.
- The last way to keep moss off your roof is to make your roof an acidic environment. This can be done by spraying, or applying, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, orange juice, or tomato juice. You can also make a solution by mixing water and one of the following:
- baking powder
- baking soda
- bleach
- salt
- soap
- soda
- ammonia
Only mix the water with one of these other ingredients. Put whatever solution you choose in a sprayer, and start misting the areas with moss. Please remember these are only suggestions. We take no responsibility for the result of your roof. Be sure to consult a professional roofer before attempting.
SNOW AND ICE BUILD UP FAST SO BE PREPARED IN THE WEATHER
Photo Credit: WPRI.com
Wintertime is a dangerous time for drivers, and can also be quite threatening to shingles. The forming of ice on your roof can lead to broken or cracked shingles, and even worse, ice dams.
If you have icicles, that could be a sign of an ice dam.
There are many quick fixes for ice dams, but the only surefire way of keeping ice dams from hurting your home is to have a cold roof. Here is a site with a couple of those quick fixes and tips to keep your roof cold.
Mobile Home Gutters
Photo Credit: spadegutterinstallation.com
Gutters direct runoff water away from your home and protect your roof from water damage. It’s important to maintain them properly if you want your roof to stay in good condition.
- Clean out your gutters on a regular basis.
- With gloves on, garbage bag in hand, mounted on your safely-positioned ladder, scoop out debris from your gutters.
- It’s better to have the hassle of taking a bag with you so that you can put the debris directly into the bag. Otherwise, you will have worry about the wet leaves you throw down killing your grass or getting mowed.
If you are wanting some extra tips on gutter cleaning, check out this quick-to-read guide.
DAMAGED SHINGLES CAN CREATE A REAL HEADACHE
So far, we have talked about mobile home maintenance to prevent damage to your shingles, but what if your shingles are already broken? Here is a classic example of a damaged roof peak line.
If it is only a limited amount of shingles in a few places, then you can very likely DIY! Here is a do-it-yourself step-by-step guide to preparing, assessing, and repairing damage done to your shingles. Always consult an expert. Damaged shingled really start to add up over time. So once one section is bad, broader areas begin to be damaged as well.
Shingles will wear over time. But certainly they can deteriorate quicker if they are in the wrong environment.
One of the points, however, of this article is how to maintain your mobile home and its roof. If you regularly maintain your mobile home, you should not have to worry about repairs!
Enjoy Life Under A Long Lasting Roof
Metal roof or shingled roof, I hope that this post keeps your mobile home dry and in good condition.
Keep up with upkeep and keep a roof over your head!
*When dealing with roof maintenance, please remember that safety is always first! We have included safety tips for specific tasks and situations above. But, we want to stress again how important it is take the proper precautions.
We’re here to help
Mobile home maintenance comes with the territory when you own your manufactured home. Whether you’re encountering issues that call for a little TLC or performing upkeep as a preventative measure before issues arise, your mobile home’s care is on you.
So today we bring you our Year-Round Maintenance Guide. Count it as a gentle reminder to check areas of your home that may need assistance. And use it as a helpful how-to directive for other areas that you’re looking to fix up or re-do, from your kitchen to your roof.
Splitting up your mobile home maintenance through the year
We’re going to organize this mobile home maintenance plan by dividing up the work according to the four seasons. So, once we give you maintenance jobs, tips, etc. for spring, we’ll progress to summer, fall, and winter, respectively.
Of course, these are no rules! By all means, if you want to tackle a job at a different time of year from our list, do so. We salute you for getting on the task either way. Let’s dive into our spring section.
Spring
Winter has finally passed, leaving spring in its wake. It’s time for the grass to get green again, for the trees to begin to bud, and for flowers to begin peeking out from the (perhaps muddy) ground. It’s also a time for spring cleaning – a time when you might be feeling the urge to freshen things up after the winter’s cold.
When it comes to cleaning, dive into our Mobile Home Spring Cleaning & Post-Winter Checklist. Then, to get the outside of your home looking fresher, move on to How To Pressure Wash A Mobile Home The Right Way.
In addition to the urge to spring clean your mobile home, you might be ready to make some even bigger changes. When it comes to remodeling, redoing, or repairing, here’s some information to help you on your way.
- 3 Ways to Texture Mobile Home Walls
- Mobile Home Exterior Remodel | Part 1: Get To Know Your Options
- Mobile Home Exterior Remodel | Part 2: Get The Look You Want
- DIY: Mobile Home Floor Repair To Get It Looking Like New Again.
Summer
Oh, the glorious, long days of summer! Perfect for barbecues and outdoor evening activities (thanks to daylight that lasts). Of course, summer isn’t all fun and games. There’s work to be done, too. Plus, depending on where you live, you may be dealing with hurricane season.
Start by checking out a few Tricks To Stay Cool This Summer. Then move on to How To Hurricane-Proof Mobile Homes & Stay Safe During A Storm. And if you’re going to move this summer (before the new school year starts), here’s an article to help you tackle your gross carpet before you go. Take a look at Moving Or Selling? Here’s How To Remove Old Pet Stains From Carpet.
Also, if you have extra time off this summer, and you’d like to use it for some makeover projects, check out these articles:
- Why (& How) You Should Consider Remodeling Your Mobile Home
- Are There Load Bearing Walls In A Mobile Home That I Need To Avoid?
We even have tips for remodeling specific rooms in your mobile home:
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Autumn
Brisk, cool air. Tumbling leaves. Warm, spiced cider. What’s not to like about autumn? Once you start noticing these changes around you, it’s time to consider mobile home maintenance and repairs to prepare for winter.
When it starts to get dark earlier (in places that observe daylight savings time), keep your home’s lighting in good shape. Head for our DIY: How To Change A Light Switch In A Mobile Home.
On the other hand, give attention to your home’s outside environment, too. For that, read our 1st Blog Of Christmas: Get Your Mobile Home Yard Ready For Winter. And here are some other things you could opt to do this time of year:
- Mobile Home Maintenance Pt. 2 | Caulking Your Home
- Replacing Your Mobile Home Windows in 9 Easy Steps.
- Mobile Home Ductwork Repair: Keep Your Home Warm This Winter
- Mobile Home Floor Insulation: Save Time And Money
Winter
Finally, there’s the last season of the year. And “cold” is a word that just might be coming to mind. Maybe you’re trying to fix your furnace before the cold weather hits. Or perhaps you want to repair your mobile home roof before snow blankets it. Either way, check out our articles below:
- How To Winterize Pipes in Your Mobile Home & Keep Them From Freezing
- Frozen Pipes Under A Mobile Home And How To Take Care Of Them
- Mobile Home Roof Repair Tips: We’ve Got You Covered This Winter
- Mobile Home Furnace Repair Tips: Don’t Let It Get You Overheated
- No Hot Water In Your Mobile Home? Troubleshooting And Repairs.
Mobile home maintenance today for a better tomorrow
We say invest time in mobile home maintenance today, and your future self will thank you. Choosing to keep your mobile home in good working order may be a strike in your favor later. If you decide to sell your mobile home, you may find you have less to do to get it ready. So, don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty to keep your mobile home in tip-top shape for you and your family.