Thanks to their cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and adaptability, manufactured homes are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners. Like traditional site-built homes, factory-constructed houses require maintenance to keep them in prime condition. With each season, owners face unique challenges. Home weatherization is an important step that ensures living spaces maintain pristine shape all year round.
Cooler weather means individuals and families spend more time indoors, so ensuring the house stays warm and cozy for everyone is critical. Preparing the house for the colder months right when fall begins is a great idea to avoid potential headaches and major issues throughout the winter. Home weatherization helps homeowners save time and money in the long run.
When it comes to modular homes, being proactive provides assurance that they will overcome winter. Sun Communities knows the significance of protecting homes during winter and other seasons. We're here to provide essential tips to ensure houses stand the test of the four seasons while keeping them in excellent condition.
What is Home Weatherization?
This is the process of improving the home to reduce energy use and make living in it more comfortable. Weatherization can include insulation, safety, ventilation, air sealing, lighting, and heating and cooling.
How You Can Protect Your Manufactured Home
Winter impacts several parts of a manufactured home. Understanding these areas, from the roof down to its foundation, is essential to properly caring for and protecting the house. Resolving internal issues such as plumbing, electrical, and general cleaning may require more frequent upkeep than exterior maintenance.
Homeowners can quickly inspect the foundation if it is at a certain level, but a team of experts can identify weak areas that need attention.
Examining the roof annually for leaks, cracks, or weak spots helps ensure the home's longevity.
Unclogging gutters prevents water backups that could seep into the roof. Ignoring the gutters can be an expensive, hard-to-fix trouble.
Prevent Plumbing Issues During Freezing Conditions
Freezing temperatures can harm a manufactured home's plumbing system. To winterize their living spaces, homeowners should wrap any exposed pipes with heat tape and pipe insulation. They can also seek professional assistance.
Heating System Maintenance Before Winter
Checking the furnace for damage, changing the air filter, and always being mindful of excess moisture or unusual noises year-round can help ensure an effective heating system for winter weather. Regular vacuuming guarantees that HVAC, heating, and cooling systems will last longer.
Seasonal Maintenance Tips to Protect Your Manufactured Home
Winter
1. Survey the Skirting - Protect the skirting around the home. This prevents cold winds from getting under the house, rendering frozen pipes.
2. Snow Management - Check on the roof if snow accumulates. Remove gently to prevent extra weight and possible damage.
3. Interior Inspection - Winter is an excellent time to inspect the inside of the living space. Check for drafts, mold, or mildew and ensure the home remains dry and warm.
4. Emergency Kits - Prepare an emergency kit for potential storms. This should include water, flashlights, non-perishable food, batteries, a first-aid kit, and essential medications.
Spring
During warmer days, it's the perfect time to give manufactured homes the much-needed attention. Like a site-built house, prefabricated homes require regular upkeep to maintain structural integrity and ensure the residents' safety and comfort. Here's a helpful spring cleaning checklist to guide homeowners.
1. Roof Inspection - Spring is the perfect time to inspect the roof for damage after a potentially harsh winter. Look for loose shingles, water leakage signs, or wear and tear.
2. Clean Gutters and Downspouts
3. Window and Door Seals - Inspect the seals around windows and doors to ensure they remain airtight. Replace any damaged seals.
4. Foundation Check - Check for any signs of ground settling around the foundation. Ensure skirting vents are clear for proper airflow.
Summer
Garden cleanup is the perfect way to transition from spring to summer. It's always important to ensure a deep garden cleaning is carried out. A cleanup will help a garden endure the winter and grow back beautifully in the spring.
Here are some things you should put on your fall garden cleanup list!
- Clear up your flower and vegetable beds
- Remove the dead summer annuals
- Divide and rearrange your summer perennials
- Carry out a thorough weeding
- Plant fall annuals
- Compost and mulch your perennials
Properly cleaning up your garden allows for healthy perennials when the spring rolls around. Plus, checking for pests prevents unwanted creatures from making a home in your garden over the winter.
1. Landscaping - Plants should be trimmed and far from the home's sides and roof to prevent moisture buildup and pest invasions.
2. HVAC Maintenance - Before the heat peaks, ensure the A/C system is serviced and filters are changed to ensure efficiency.
3. Check Smoke Alarms - With summer barbecues and backyard cookouts, ensure your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors function perfectly.
4. Pest Control - Warmer months can invite pests. Inspect the home's exterior for any openings and seal them. If necessary, consider a professional pest control service.
Fall
Fall is the best time to inspect the furnace and ensure it works correctly. Test it by turning it on and adjusting the thermostat settings up and down. If it isn't working properly, call an HVAC professional and get it fixed before winter. Now is also a good time to replace the house's air filter.
1. Preparing for the Cold - Check your home's insulation in the attic and under the floor to ensure you stay warm in the upcoming months.
2. Heater Health - Homeowners need their heating system serviced before the temperatures get too chilly.
3. Winterize Pipes - Insulate the pipes to prevent them from bursting for homes in an area prone to freezing.
4. Gutters Again - This must be reiterated. Falling leaves are unavoidable in autumn. Regularly clean your gutters and downspouts to prevent blockages.
Home weatherization allows you to protect your manufactured home if performed regularly, especially when located in an area with all four seasons. By proactively addressing possible concerns before they become substantial problems, homeowners will be able to enjoy the comfort of their homes year-round.
In the Market for a Manufactured Home?
Start your journey with Sun Communities! We provide top-quality manufactured homes nationwide with state-of-the-art amenities and a one-of-a-kind community experience tailored to the resident's needs and lifestyles. Thanks to their cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and adaptability, manufactured homes are increasingly becoming popular among homeowners. Like traditional site-built homes, factory-constructed houses require maintenance to keep them in prime condition. With each season, there are unique challenges owners face. Home weatherization is an important step that ensures living spaces maintain pristine shape all year round. Many community living spaces provide access to shared amenities and facilities, such as fitness centers, swimming pools, clubhouses, and other communal gathering areas. These shared resources promote an active and engaging lifestyle and offer cost savings compared to maintaining individual amenities in a stand-alone home. Speak with one of our experts today! Your dream home is one consultation away!