Mobile homes often require maintenance.
Mobile homes require several common repairs. Homeowners who have knowledge of basic carpentry, plumbing and maintenance will be able to complete most themselves. Each fix will enhance the mobile home and improve its look or function. Does this Spark an idea?
Leveling the Home
One of the most important mobile home repairs is to level and replace the foundation blocks. When a home settles, sometimes one set of foundation blocks sinks further into the ground. This causes the home to shift and lean more to one side. This may cause windows to stick and walls to crack.
To fix this simply use a carpenter's level to determine which side of the home is lower than the others. Install a hydraulic home jack under the I-beam and prop the home until it is level. Place the carpenter's level against the I-beam to determine when the home is level. Place wood boards under the I-beam and on top of the foundation block as shims and then remove the hydraulic jack.
Skirt Repairs
When a skirt is damaged it must be replaced. Damaged skirts allow debris to gather under the home. To replace a skirt, the old skirting is removed with a pry bar or crow bar. New skirting material, purchased from a mobile home supply store or through your manufacturer is installed in its place. Start at one end and secure the skirt to the bottom frame of the home using bolts or metal screws (or the hardware provided with your skirting). A power drill is required for this fix. Drill a pilot hole into the frame and then use the metal screw to secure the skirting, if existing holes are not already drilled into the home.
Vinyl Siding
Replacing vinyl siding is another common mobile home task. To replace vinyl siding you will use a zip tool, or unlocking tool, as it is sometimes called. Place this in the seam above the piece of siding you wish to remove and slide it along the seam, unlocking the two pieces of siding. Repeat on the bottom side of the piece of siding, then remove the entire slat. Replace it by installing a new piece of siding and locking it in place along the seam.
Installing New Pier Footings
Pier footing are the foundation blocks of the mobile home. They are made of concrete and placed at each corner of the home. To replace these footings. first set one corner of the home on a hydraulic home jack. Lift the home until it rises off the footing. Now, remove the footing blocks carefully and set new footing piers in place, mortaring each with a trowel and concrete mortar. Level the blocks using a carpenter's level and then make sure the home is level. Once finished, return the home to the footing pier by releasing and removing the jack.
Tags: mobile home, carpenter level, foundation blocks, piece siding, along seam, corner home