Mobile homes (also referred to as trailers or park homes) are prefabricated dwellings that are usually located in land lease communities like trailer parks. Regular preventative maintenance will help your mobile home continue to function smoothly.
Mobile home plumbing pipes differ from those found in site-built houses in two primary ways. Most newer manufactured homes use plastic pipes such as PVC, PEX, and PolyPipe; galvanized steel with antirust coating is still often seen used, though their usage has become less common as more cost-effective plastic alternatives become available.
Supply Lines
Mobile home water supply lines serve to deliver fresh water to each plumbing fixture in the manufactured home, usually through the floor before any walls are constructed. They are commonly made out of either PVC or PEX pipe and should be regularly checked for signs of leaks, pressure loss, or loss, as well as insulation to protect them from freezing during colder weather.
Modern mobile homes typically use PEX piping for their supply lines, while older mobiles might still have PVC or Polypipe pipes instead. PVC or Polypipe pipes tend to be much stiffer than the flexible tubing in kitchen sinks or bathtubs and tubs, so knowing which kind your mobile home uses will allow you to understand its systems more comprehensively.
These piping systems also contain one or more water shut-off valves, typically located near the hose spigot or where your sewage line exits your home. Knowing where these are is crucial when undertaking any renovation, repair, or maintenance projects around your house.
Ventilation lines work alongside drain-waste lines to regulate vacuum or air pressure in your plumbing pipes and ensure they function as expected. Without adequate ventilation, your drainage and supply pipes won’t function optimally – such as using vent stacks, plumbing air vents under sinks, or auto vents.
Drain-Waste Lines
Drain lines carry wastewater away from homes using either PVC or chromed brass pipes, typically running from each bathroom down toward where the sewer line enters the ground. They are usually sloped by 1/4″ per foot to ensure efficient flow and avoid pooling of water.
Just as necessary as supply lines, drain lines must also be adequately ventilated in order to function effectively and quickly. As an illustration of how essential ventilation is, imagine trying to pour water from a container without an opening; you will not see as much progress when opening its lid!
Mobile homes use different piping and ventilation systems than site-built houses, including polybutylene pipe, which breaks down easily with bleach and is no longer up to code for mobile home plumbing today. When inspecting an older mobile/manufactured home’s plumbing system, look for cleanout or opening near each drain to determine its composition and whether replacement may be needed; additionally, check whether its vent stack on the roof has not become separated or blocked – otherwise, sewer gas could leak back into your home and back up.
Ventilation Lines
Venting lines are essential components of a mobile home plumbing system, just as they would be for any other form of plumbing system. These pipes work alongside drain-waste pipes to regulate vacuum or pressure within your plumbing system and help ensure its proper function – without them, pipes could leak or burst.
Venting and drainage systems can become worn over time, leading to clogs or leaks in your piping. To reduce these chances, be sure to inspect it regularly – keep an eye out for cracks or damage, replacing as necessary if water pressure decreases over multiple fixtures at once or is limited only to certain fixtures; this way, you can determine whether there’s been an obstruction somewhere that needs venting or not enough ventilation in place.
Site-built homes typically use more traditional piping materials like copper; mobile homes usually employ plastic piping instead. PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) piping is an economical, flexible, and resistant material suitable for mobile homes; its flexibility makes it a popular choice; plus, its colors indicate hot and cold spots to help pinpoint issues quickly and accurately.
Your mobile home’s age may still contain older piping materials like acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Unfortunately, ABS pipes do not comply with modern mobile home regulations and should be changed immediately.
Leaking Pipes
Mobile homes typically feature supply lines running beneath the home, creating potential issues during winter when pipes may freeze, leading to backflow that saturates flooring and damages it. Therefore, leaks must be detected quickly so as to prevent water damage and save yourself the expense of having it repaired later on.
Pipe type can also play an integral part in home inspection. Older mobile homes use polybutylene (PB), which is no longer produced, quickly breaks down, and requires costly repairs if they leak. If you come across one with this system installed, it may be wiser to have its entire system redone with PEX or other plastic pipe.
Older mobile homes tend to have less insulation under the floor. Many older mobiles rely on belly wrap for plumbing insulation, which may wear away over time and allow moisture and pests to enter, creating costly plumbing repairs in the process. Therefore, it is advisable to regularly check underfoot and wall-insulating materials in your mobile home and replace them if necessary.
Regular mobile home plumbing inspections from an experienced plumber are essential in order to detect minor problems before they become more severe and expensive issues. Regular inspections also allow homeowners and landlords to get information regarding any possible code or safety violations before problems worsen and become costly fixes.
