April 28, 2022

Spring Cleaning Checklist for Your Mobile Home

It’s that time of year: flowers are blooming, the sun’s out, the birds are chirping… that only means one thing: time to clean your mobile home!

Spring cleaning may not be the most exciting task of the year, but it’s important to maintain the value of your manufactured home. Whether you have a single-wide or double-wide mobile home, there are plenty of tasks to get done before summer starts.

You know the basics by now: dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, and decluttering. That’s the same whether you live in a stick-built home, studio apartment, or manufactured home in San Antonio. Here’s a list of the special maintenance considerations you need to make when spring cleaning your mobile home.

De-Winterize Your Mobile Home

Even though our winters are relatively mild here, you likely winterized your mobile home at the beginning of the season to keep it in tiptop shape. Now it’s officially time to get back to normal.

If you winterized your mobile home, you may need to:

Tighten up the tie-downs if you relaxed them to accommodate the soil’s wintertime contraction.
If you switched off the water in parts of your home that you don’t often use, it’s now safe to switch them back on.
Takedown any extra insulation to avoid excessive heat in the summer.
Remove the storm door for better airflow during the warmer months.

You may have taken other precautions before the temperatures got a bit chillier. Make sure to address any of them during your spring cleaning.

Give Your Mobile Home Furnance Some TLC

Your furnace likely got all its use for the year during the holiday season. Chances are, it is in need of a little attention after all its use this winter. To make sure it’s ready for you when winter comes back around next year, it’s best to give it some TLC now.

Just like any aspect of owning a mobile home, maintenance is essential to your furnace. This spring, make sure that you:

Clean the air ducts. This is not only crucial for maintaining the furnace, this also improves indoor air quality to keep you and your family healthy.
Inspect the belt. Any cracks or damage will have to be addressed by replacing the belt. If it looks good, make sure it is tight and properly connected.
Check the filter. Speaking of indoor air quality, you want to check the filter now to make sure you are ready for winter next year. If the filter is so dirty you can’t see through it, it’s time to replace it. Your filter should last six months, so it may not need to be replaced, but make sure to check either way.
Check the thermostat. Sometimes, the batteries need replacement. Check now so you don’t have to worry in the future.
Lubricate the central pump and blower motor.
Flush out the system for dust and other debris using a compressor.

Check Your Mobile Home’s Windows and Doors

It’s important to check your windows and doors on a regular basis, particularly with the temperature fluctuating. Inspect for signs of cracking around the seals and caulk any you find. If there is more extensive damage, you may need to replace the seals altogether. This will ensure that you can better control the temperature of your home as it gets hotter here.

Inspect the Roof of Your Mobile Home

Your roof is arguably the most important part of your mobile home. It is your first defense against the elements, after all. Unfortunately, your manufactured home can take a beating over the winter; therefore, it’s vital to check for damage come spring.

A lot of the issues with your roof will be obvious from the ground, but it is still a good idea to grab a ladder and get up there to take a closer look.

To inspect your roof:

Clear off any debris.
Inspect the shingles if your mobile home has them. Often, some go missing or are damaged by winter storms. If your roof is metal, make sure the coating is still in good condition.
Check any flashings or areas where the roof comes together in a corner or has a vent or chimney coming through it. Clean them of debris and make sure they are still watertight.
Inspect the roof’s eaves and soffits for any damage.
Clean the gutters. Especially after winter, your gutters might be clogged
Don’t just do this superficially, any corners are bound to get leaves and twigs stuck in them at some point. Use a long, thin tool to check for any clogs and try and loosen it. You can use a hose to check if the water still drains properly.
Reattach gutters that have come loose from the house or from each other. Use caulk or epoxy to seal any damage or improper connections.

Inspect Your Mobile Home Skirting

The skirting of your mobile home is designed to protect the underside of your home. It keeps out pests, water damage, and any debris, and also helps to stabilize the indoor temperature.

After the winter season, your skirting may have been damaged by wind or debris. Make sure it is still in good condition to keep your home cooler in the blistering summer months by checking its airflow.

Inspect Your Mobile Home Exterior Siding for Damage

Though we don’t usually get snow here, freezing rain, low temperatures, and wind can do plenty of damage to your mobile home in winter. With the exterior siding, the biggest concern is potential water damage. This is particularly true if you have wood paneling.

A pressure washer is a great tool for cleaning the exterior siding of your home, particularly if you are concerned about mold. This is also a good opportunity to check for peeling paint. Also, be sure to look for any tiny cracks, particularly at the corners of your mobile home. Caulk over any cracks as soon as you can.

Check the Underside of Your Mobile Home

Finally, you will want to check the underside of your mobile home to ensure it hasn’t been damaged during the colder months. Grab a flashlight and check to make sure your HUD-required waterproof tarp is still in good shape. Consider replacing it if there are any tears or other signs of damage.

If there is any excess moisture underneath your home, do your best to drain it. Remain any debris and address any pests that might have moved in for winter.

While you’re down there, check the foundation as well. The foundation is a crucial part of your home and has serious implications for its stability and structural integrity. Soil that contracts and expands because of the change in temperature across seasons can bear on the concrete.

You should look for any signs of cracking, heaving, or deterioration. Missing or crumbling mortar is an indicator of problems. A professional should address any structural issues you find.
Hopefully, this list helps you keep your mobile home in tiptop shape.

If you need any guidance, we would be happy to help you! Contact our online mobile home dealership for support.