Mobile Home Maintenance: A Guide to Cleaning, Repairs, and Other Upkeep

Every home requires regular care and attention, and mobile homes are no exception. Routine cleaning, small repairs, and basic mobile home upkeep not only protect your investment from wear and tear, but also improve your home's resilience against weather-related events. Regular mobile home maintenance can also help you avoid costly repairs in the future, while giving you peace of mind knowing your property is well cared for.

In this guide, we’ll walk through a comprehensive checklist for mobile home maintenance, along with some essential tips to keep your home in peak condition year-round.

Full Mobile Home Maintenance Checklist

Maintaining your mobile home requires a proactive approach. By regularly inspecting and maintaining key areas, you can extend the life of your home and avoid common issues. Here’s a mobile home maintenance checklist to guide your efforts:

Inspect Your Mobile Home’s Crawlspace

Your mobile home’s crawlspace plays a crucial role in protecting the foundation and supporting overall structural integrity. When it comes to maintaining your mobile home crawlspace, it’s essential to:

• Check for improper drainage: Ensure water isn’t pooling underneath your home, which can lead to moisture problems and damage to your home’s foundation.
• Clean and maintain skirting: The skirting around your mobile home protects the crawlspace from debris and animals, as well as helps to retain heat in the winter. Clean it regularly and inspect for holes or gaps.
• Close any gaps or holes: Even small gaps in the skirting can allow pests or moisture into the crawlspace. Replacing damaged sections of the skirting can help prevent further damage to your home.

While some skirting repairs can be handled by yourself, don't hesitate to call a professional if the damage is extensive or requires advanced tools. Improper repairs to mobile home skirting can lead to greater expenses with crawlspace issues down the road.

Check Your Home’s Foundation

If your mobile home is permanently installed, its foundation needs to be in excellent shape to ensure it remains stable.

• Ensure the home is level: Over time, your home may shift slightly, which can cause structural issues. During the first year after mobile home installation, you should check the corners and the center of the foundation monthly with a level. Then, annually, you can make inspecting your mobile home’s foundation part of your yearly maintenance checklist. Every few years, a professional should inspect if your home is level and correct any uneven areas.
• Inspect anchor stability: Make sure the anchors securing your home are steady and properly installed. If you notice any movement or instability, it’s best to consult with a professional to secure the foundation properly.

Inspect Your Mobile Home’s Roof

Roof maintenance is especially important for mobile homes, particularly if your home has a flat roof, which can collect debris and water more easily. Some tips for mobile home roof upkeep include:

• Check for debris and pooling water: Regularly remove leaves, branches, and any buildup that could trap water or damage your roof.
• Reseal or recoat the roof: Depending on the roofing material, you may need to reseal or recoat it to prevent leaks. Metal roofs, for example, often benefit from regular resealing to extend their lifespan.

Keep Your Gutters Clean

While easy to neglect, ensuring your mobile home’s gutters are clean and in good shape can help prevent moisture damage to the structure of your property.

• Remove debris: Clogged gutters can lead to water damage, roof leaks, and even foundation issues. Clean your gutters regularly, especially after heavy storms and if your home is surrounded by trees.
• Check for proper drainage: Ensure the downspouts direct water away from your home’s foundation to avoid erosion and moisture problems.

Inspect Your Mobile Home’s Siding

Maintaining the siding on your mobile home is vital to keep a barrier between you and the elements.

• Inspect for exterior damage: Look for cracks, rust, or any other signs of mobile home storm damage on the siding.
• Regular cleaning: Clean your siding regularly to prevent mold, mildew, and rust. Be sure to consult the manufacturer for the best cleaning methods based on your siding’s material.
• Professional repairs: If the mobile home’s siding is damaged, it’s best to consult with a professional for repairs or replacements to prevent further issues.

Maintain Your Septic System

If your mobile home is connected to a septic system, it’s important to have it inspected and maintained regularly. Mobile home owners using a septic system should follow local guidelines for inspections to catch leaks and blockages and schedule pumping every few years to avoid expensive repairs.

Maintain Your Mobile Home’s HVAC System

Seasonal maintenance of a mobile home’s heating and cooling system is essential for comfort and air quality year-round. Make these mobile home HVAC maintenance tips part of your regular inspections and cleaning:

• Change the filters regularly: Changing or cleaning your HVAC filters can extend the life of the system and improve its efficiency. Clean filters also help remove allergens and contaminants from the air.
• Schedule annual inspections: Have a professional inspect your HVAC system annually to ensure it’s operating properly and efficiently.

Check Caulking and Sealing Around Windows and Doors

The seals around your mobile home’s windows and doors help keep the weather out and maintain energy efficiency. Checking that your windows and doors are in good condition in your mobile home can play a big part in both ensuring the structure maintains its integrity and preventing high utility bills. To maintain your doors and windows:

• Inspect caulking and weatherstripping: Check for cracks in the caulking or worn weatherstripping. Recaulking and replacing weatherstripping are easy DIY fixes that can help seal gaps.
• Call a professional if needed: If you notice extensive wear, consider calling a professional to replace doors or windows or for more complex caulking repairs.

Cleaning Your Mobile Home’s Interior

Regular interior cleaning helps maintain the longevity of your mobile home’s materials and creates a healthy living environment.

• Declutter regularly: Keeping your home clutter-free makes cleaning easier and improves airflow.
• Wash windows, floors, and walls: Use safe cleaning solutions appropriate for your mobile home’s materials, especially for vinyl flooring or wooden surfaces.

How Often Should You Do Mobile Home Maintenance?

The frequency of mobile home maintenance varies depending on the task. Here are some general guidelines:

• Mobile home siding and roof maintenance: Should be done at least annually, or more frequently if you live in a region with regular extreme weather conditions.
• Mobile home interior cleaning: This should be done regularly, with deeper cleanings happening at least once a season.
• Mobile home foundation and HVAC inspections: Should be completed annually to ensure everything is functioning correctly.

Spring and fall are ideal times to conduct thorough inspections and maintenance on your mobile home. Setting a routine will help you catch any potential issues early and prevent them from becoming major problems.

Let 21st Insurance Agency Help Protect Your Mobile Home

While you do your part in maintaining your mobile home, let 21st Insurance help you protect your investment by requesting a mobile home insurance quote today. We have products that provide protection from weather related events or other direct and sudden losses. Our team can provide insurance solutions tailored to fit your specific needs.

Contact 21st Insurance today online or at 844-343-9408 to learn how we can help safeguard your mobile home, so you can focus on keeping it well-maintained and cared for year after year.