Whether you are a contractor or a homeowner, the process of repairing damaged walls in a manufactured home is the same. If you have the time and the tools, you can do it yourself and save money. Manufactured homes have three different types of interior walls, depending on how old the home is and who manufactured the home: wood paneling, standard drywall and vinyl-coated drywall. Each type of material presents its own challenges when attempting repairs. Does this Spark an idea?
Considerations
Builders of manufactured homes must design and build homes while considering weight. Manufactured homes are transported from the manufacturer to the consumer over the highway system. The walls in manufactured homes are always constructed using lighter-weight materials than would be found in stick-built homes.
Wood Paneling
Repairing a hole in paneling is as simple as replacing the damaged panel with another matching panel. Do not attempt to replace a small area of paneling; it will never look right. It is possible to contact the manufacturer to obtain a replacement panel, as long as it is still in business. Maybe it has some panels left on hand to orrder. Manufacturers who use wood paneling tend to use the same style and color throughout the particular home. You can remove panels from the interior of closets to use for replacement panels in more visible areas of your home.
Paneling is made in 4-by-8-foot sections and installed vertically on the walls. Staples fasten the panels to the wall framing members. Remove any light switch covers, electrical outlet covers or vent covers in the section of wall you are replacing. Remove the staples from the damaged panel. Do not discard this panel; you can replace the panel you took from the closet with the damaged one.
Measure and mark the stud locations on the replacement panel with a pencil. If there are any holes to cut in the panel for electrical boxes or vents, measure and mark these as well. Use a drill to make a hole in the center of the opening you have to make. Use a jigsaw to cut out the opening as needed. Install the replacement panel with small finishing nails. Install the damaged panel in the closet in the same way.
Standard Drywall
Standard drywall is the easiest material to repair. Drywall comes in different thicknesses; because of weight considerations, manufactured home builders tend to use thinner drywall. The typical manufactured home has either 1/4- or 3/8-inch thick drywall on the walls.
Use a keyhole saw and carefully cut out the damaged area. Cut out only what is needed to remove the damaged drywall. Cut pieces of 1-by-4-inch wood board long enough to extend at least 1 inch above and below the cut opening. Insert the wood backing into the opening and install drywall screws through the undamaged drywall into the wood backing, just above and just below the opening. Cut a piece of drywall to fit the opening and put it in place. Install drywall screws through the drywall patch into the backing board.
Tape the patch using standard drywall taping compound. When the taped repair dries, add as many coats of compound as needed to make the area smooth and the tape not visible. Sand lightly and texture the affected area. You can purchase small cans of spray texture at the hardware store. Practice with the texture on a scrap piece of drywall until you are able to match the texture that is already on your walls. Paint the patch when it is dry.
Vinyl-Coated Drywall
Vinyl-coated drywall is the most difficult material for do-it-yourselfers to repair. During the home's construction, the vinyl is glued to the drywall in huge sheets, leaving no visible seams in the wall. Vinyl-coated drywall cannot be repaired using any usual repair methods. The problem is the chemical nature of vinyl. Paint and other known patching materials will not adhere to the vinyl surface over time. Replacing panels is not an option either, because the patch will always be visible and unattractive.
The only options are either to cover the offending area or remove the vinyl-coated drywall and replace it with new drywall. If you are going to cover the damage, consider a wall hanging if the damage is higher up on the wall or installing wainscoting if the damage is lower on the wall.
Tags: manufactured home, damaged panel, panel with, replacement panel, below opening, drywall screws, drywall screws through