Archive for September, 2009
Setting up a schedule of routine maintenance shouldn’t be too difficult. Your mobile home requires seasonal cleaning just like wood- built houses do. Not as much, perhaps, but cleaning it does need.
On that first beautiful day after the long winter, get outside. Wash the exterior down thoroughly with a mild detergent and water. Wash It early in the day to avoid having it wet in direct hot sunlight.
Drag out the big ladder and look the roof over. Any loose or missing screws along the seam lines? Replace them. Clean and paint rusted screw heads. Look for roof damage which might cause leaks. Repair and reseal any scrapes or holes. Clean out drip rails and gutters.
Tighten and replace screws on the sides and ends. Wash the windows. Remove skirting and clean out underneath the home. And don’t forget to clean or change the filters in your air conditioner.
Once your spring cleanup has been taken care of, you can begin to think about your landscaping and other home improvements.
September 13th, 2009
Building standards initiated by the manufactured housing industry assure you of structural quality. A variety of tags and seals adjacent to the door of your home attest that a unit was built in accordance with these standards. The most common, the MHMA/TCA (Mobile Homes Manufacturers Association/Trailer Coach Association) certification indicates the home meets standards set jointly by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the National Fire Protective Association (NFPA), the NHMA, and the TCA.
ANSI standards cover body, frame, and superstructure, plus installation of plumbing, heating, and electrical systems. The seal also certifies that electrical wiring in the home complies with the National Electrical Code.
Some homes carry an Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc. listing label. A manufacturer applies first for approval of the safety of a design for one specific model of home. Then the firm must prove to UL engineers that they have the expertise to build a home in accordance with those UL standards that apply. Once the company and the model are “UL listed,” Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc. acts as a policing agency. UL engineers periodically test samples of a listed manufacturer’s product to verify that it conforms to UL standards.
The Pittsburgh Testing Laboratory tag appears frequently on mobile homes today. PTL is an independent monitoring agency too. But PTL certification differs from the UL method. For a mobile home to receive a Pittsburgh Testing Laboratory tag, a PTL inspector must examine that individual home in detail. It receives a tag only after it passes this rigid inspection.
These standards and independent auditing services protect you as a mobile-home owner. They simplify maintenance because they assure quality of materials and workmanship. You can safely consider the original parts and materials a dependable guide to replacement or repair. Don’t buy a mobile home that doesn’t meet at least the MHMA/TCA standards and have either UL or PTL certification.
September 13th, 2009
At one time, only the wise or the wary anchored their mobile homes. Now look yours over. Evaluate your home’s stance. Uneven settling indicates blocking-up problems and probably poor anchoring. The soil under your home must drain properly. In some locales, this may require a 5—6 inch bed of gravel. The home needs a solid footing either on a concrete pad or on concrete runners. Only after the pad is adequate are you ready for blocking and anchoring.
Support a mobile home on cement-block piers 12 feet apart. Many homes today have signs along the frame indicating blocking points. Obey these when you can. Cement blocks should be stacked so you can fill the holes with mortar, forming a solid column.
Anchors are often embedded in mortar or concrete. But anchors vary. Some eye-bolt anchors fit 4 feet into the ground, extending below the frost line. Eye-bolts might not work for sandy or hard rock areas. Your nearest anchor company can probably advise you on the most effective anchoring methods for your area.
Hurricane straps are another segment of a thorough tie-down system. They reach clear over the top of your home, down the sides, and attach to anchors. Sometimes these over-tries-top straps are secured to the frame and the frame in turn anchored.
Whatever the anchoring method, inspect the anchoring devices every month or two. Watch for loose bolts, rust, or corrosion. When that little wind starts to blow a lot, you’ll be glad you did.
September 12th, 2009