Mobile homes are increasingly becoming popular due to rising real estate prices in the US market. But the exact cost varies depending on the state.
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For instance, the median home price in the US is $428,700. However, homes in Bakersfield, CA, are 11% cheaper than the national average.
The problem is that price is still too high for most Americans. So some have chosen a more economical option: manufactured homes.
Yet more questions arise, the most prominent of which is how long do manufactured homes last?
What’s the Longevity of Manufactured Homes
According to the Manufactured Housing Institute, a manufactured home can last about 55.8 years. Of course, you’ll need to consider other factors here.
One of which is maintenance regularity. Similar to traditional houses, you should always conduct routine maintenance for your mobile homes.
So the question now becomes: what sort of maintenance should I do to extend my mobile home’s life expectancy?
Let’s look at 5 of them.
Life Expectancy of a Mobile Home: Conducting Regular Maintenance
1. Check the foundation
Stick-built houses sink and settle on their foundation over time. Mobile homes are similar.
As such, you’d want to check its support structure regularly to see if it’s stable. While you can carry out the assessment yourself, hiring a professional is highly encouraged.
That’s doubly true for mobile homes with complicated support structures and foundations.
Ideally, you’d want to relevel the structure on a semi-regular basis. Pay special attention in the first few years to settling or shifting changes.
A compromised foundation will usually lead to:
- Cracks and leaks on the wall
- Humidity seeping into the house
- Doors and windows don’t close properly
These complications can lead to other issues as well. For instance, a leak on the wall might cause warping of the support structure. So always take the time to check your mobile home’s foundation.
2. Assess the roof
Assessing your roof twice a year is the standard practice. However, if your area regularly experiences heavy rain and snowfall, you might want to increase the duration.
Check to see if the roof has broken or missing shingles. Moreover, inspect any cracks or soft spots on the roof sealant.
If there are, fix them immediately. A compromised roof will cause air and moisture to enter the roof cavity. And once it does, it’ll accelerate your mobile home’s wear and tear.
You should also reseal your roof at least twice a year. This is because roof coating plays a crucial role in regulating your home’s temperature.
Determine the type of roof you have before applying a roof coating. Specific coatings aren’t compatible with roofing materials. For instance, do not use asphalt or aluminum coatings on PVC or rubber roofs.
For more tips on mobile home roof maintenance, check out our article here.
3. Clean your gutters
Cleaning your gutters is one of the easiest mobile home maintenance. But that doesn’t diminish its importance.
A clogged gutter will cause leaks and internal home damage. And if left unchecked, the accumulated debris will break the channel and cause more financial damage.
Cleaning your gutter once a year is sufficient enough. But if you live in areas where rain and snowfall are common, clean your drainage at least twice a year. Ideally, you; d want to do it during spring and before winter arrives.
4. Skirting
Skirting is designed to prevent moisture from seeping into your mobile home’s underbelly. Ensure the skirting has no cracks or holes that would allow water or vermin access to your home.
With that said, you still want ventilation in your skirting. The general rule is one square foot of vent for every 150 square feet.
Ventilation prevents moisture accumulation in your home. Without proper ventilation, you’ll end up compromising your flooring and foundation.
5. Window maintenance
People usually don’t conduct window maintenance on their manufactured homes. This is especially true for the seals around the window.
Ignoring your window caulking can lead to higher cooling and heating bills. This is due to outside temperature seeping into the structure.
Pay close attention to your window caulking when extreme temperature hits. That’s because drastic temperature alteration will cause the sealant to shrink and break, compromising its integrity. A good rule to follow is resealing your windows before the cold season hits.
How Long Do Manufactured Homes Last: A Lifetime Commitment
Mobile home maintenance doesn’t just protect your home from damage and accelerated degradation. It will also keep its value high.
Whether you have a mobile home or a stick-built house, maintenance work is a necessary chore. However, you could skip maintenance work if you live in a manufactured home community.
That’s because some communities offer mobile home maintenance as part of their rental price. Of course, this could still vary, so you’ll need to conduct diligent research.
If you’re looking for mobile home parks in Bakersfield, California, you might want to join Riverdale Village. We offer the following amenities for our community:
- Sparkling Pool
- Billiards and Game Center
- Clubhouse Kitchen
- Clubhouse Recreation Room
- Dog Pick-Up Stations and More
For more information, you may contact us at (661) 399-4449. You can also drop us a message by filling out this form.
