Mobile Home Plumbing Basics
In on-site homes, the supply line, which allows water to reach home fixtures, is generally located inside the walls. In a mobile home, the supply line will likely be found beneath the floor . In mobile homes, there may also be a lack of cleanouts and cutoff valves.
What kind of water lines do mobile homes use?
CPVC and PEX are more common in mobile home supply lines. Both work for hot and cold water lines. These materials may last as long as the incoming copper lines used for site-built homes. The plastic pipes are cheaper and easier to install.
Is living in a mobile home that bad?
Another disadvantage of mobile home park living is a poor home appreciation potential . Manufactured homes can and do appreciate but those situated within a community have a harder time. ... Some homes are too old to be transported in a regular manner making the cost to move a home more than the home's value.
Where is the main water shut off in a mobile home?
Somewhere along the main water pipe, there will be a valve that serves to control all water flow into the home. Mobile homes may have two shutoff valves. One may be located beneath the home near the back , where the water main is connected. If you spot a gate valve or ball valve here, it is a main water shutoff valve.
Is mobile home plumbing different?
Pipe Location: Because mobile homes are structured differently than traditional homes, it should come as no surprise that the location of pipes is also different . Water line pipes in mobile homes often rise up from the floor and work in the same way as those that originate in the wall in traditional homes.
Do mobile homes need special water heaters?
Standard Water Heaters in Mobile Homes
According to HUD's Homeowners' Center all manufactured homes must have water heaters with a non-adjustable temperature and a pressure-relief valve .
What is the GREY water line in a mobile home called?
What Is Polybutylene Pipe ? Polybutylene pipe is a gray plastic tubing that was commonly used as a water-supply plumbing pipe between 1978 and 1995, at which time it was discontinued due to reports of pipes rupturing.
Can you put a garbage disposal in a mobile home?
Garbage Disposals, also known as a food waste disposer is typically installed with the kitchen sink and allows you to manage the food waste in your home. ... Since most mobile homes are connected to a septic tank, they refrain from installing garbage disposals which may have a strain on the system.
How long do mobile homes last?
When installed properly, a manufactured or modular home can last just as long as a regular home built directly on a construction site. And manufactured homes that follow HUD code can last anywhere from 30 to 55 years .
What are the disadvantages of mobile homes?
- The value of a mobile home depreciates quickly. ...
- Mobile homes can be more expensive to finance. ...
- Mobile homes are smaller than most houses. ...
- Negative stigmas still exist for mobile homes. ...
- You must have some kind of land available for a mobile home.
Where is the water heater in a mobile home?
Most of the time, the water heater in your manufactured home can be located near the home's furnace . Sometimes, water heaters can be found in your primary bedroom closet. It could also be found in a utility closet, in the laundry room or even in a hallway hidden behind an access panel that looks just like your wall.
Why would you have hot water but no cold water?
If no cold water is a widespread issue throughout the home, it's possible a shutoff valve in the main water supply line may have been turned off accidentally . If that's the case, you can simply turn the valve back on and get back to showers as normal.
How long can you live in a mobile home?
The U.S. Department of Housing and urban Development (HUD) tells us that the manufactured homes built today have a life expectancy of 30 to 55 years ; of course depending on how well they are maintained. We feel this is a good estimate for the middle ground.
What is the standard water pressure for a mobile home?
Normally, it should not exceed 60 psi. The pressure regulator is usually preset to 50 psi . However, it can be adjusted anywhere from 25 to 75 psi with a simple turn of a screw, as shown above.
How do you increase water pressure in a mobile home?
Examine the water pump for the mobile home and turn it to the highest possible setting to give you the highest pressure it can provide. If the pump is still not providing enough pressure, consider replacing the pump.
What size water heater is in a mobile home?
You'll commonly find 30-gallon water heater tanks in mobile homes, but occasionally, you may find a larger 40-gallon tank. In most cases, 30-gallons of hot water will meet the needs of several people, however, if your hot water requirements are higher, you may want to consider installing a tankless water heater.
Why is my water not getting hot in my mobile home?
A lack of hot water can oftentimes be the result of a loss of power with the electric water heater . You'll want to first find your mobile home water heater location, then check your electric water heater's circuit breaker. ... You should also check to see if the breaker has a blown fuse or if it's warm to the touch.
What is the difference between polybutylene and PEX?
There are two common types of plastic piping which are known as PB (Polybutylene) and PEX (Cross-linked Polyethylene). The main difference between PB and PEX is in how the material is created . ... Different manufacturers may have different numbers, but PEX will always have greater pressure limits than PB.
What is the downside of a tankless water heater?
The main disadvantage of tankless water heaters is their upfront cost (unit and installation) is significantly higher than tank-style heaters. Including installation, tankless water heaters cost 3 times more than tank-style water heaters on average. ... they cannot provide hot water during a power outage.
Why is polybutylene plumbing bad?
They were inexpensive and easy to install–but homeowners and plumbing professionals have discovered one serious flaw: Over time, oxidation and exposure to chlorine in the water supply causes the pipes to swell and crack , leading to widespread flood damage throughout the home, usually without any warning.
Do manufactured homes fall apart?
Well, the design is not temporary in nature . If anything, the manufactured home design would imply a longer life span than a stick-built home. Rather than a foundation which can shift and crack over time, the manufactured home is on a metal chassis that should last forever.
Is it worth buying a mobile home in a park?
Mobile homes placed in mobile home parks typically decrease in value over time . On the other hand, land normally appreciates over time. So, if you own land and build a traditional home or, in some cases even place a mobile home on the land, the value will normally appreciate.
Why are mobile homes looked down upon?
Trailers are frowned upon because the building and housing codes tend to be much lower for trailers than conventional housing , and the trailer owners and renters are typically do not maintain trailers in the same manner as a conventional home.
Do mobile homes appreciate?
New data suggest that manufactured homes appreciate in value almost as quickly as traditional homes . ... The home price index for manufactured homes (also known as mobile homes) featured an average annual growth rate of 3.4%, versus 3.8% for traditional, site-built homes.
Can you live in a mobile home all year round?
A park home is a mobile home where you can live all year around. ... You buy the mobile home but you can't usually buy the pitch that your home is sited on. You normally rent the pitch site from the site owner. Park home sites where you can live all year round are called protected sites.
How safe are mobile homes?
Manufactured homes are safe for you and your family . The fact is that manufactured homes are no more prone to fire than homes built on-site, according to an annual report released by the Oklahoma State Fire Marshall's office. On a personal note, there are several steps you can take to make any home safer.
What is the difference between a mobile home hot water heater and a regular one?
Mobile home water heaters have the cold water inlet connection on the side and the hot water outlet connection on top . Residential water heaters have all connections on the top of the tank. A mobile home heater comes with a securing strap kit.
What is the average cost of installing a water heater?
Water Heater Installation Cost
Installing a water heater costs between $819 and $1,602, or an average of $1,210 , including the unit and labor. Tankless heaters cost about $1,000 to $3,000. Water heater prices range from $300 to $2,000 or more for the unit alone while plumber labor runs $45 to $150 per hour.
Why don't my kitchen sinks have cold water?
If there's no cold water in the house at all, then the shut-off valve under each sink becomes less of a possible culprit . This valve is located under the sink; you'll see two knobs near the pipes leading to the hot and cold water lines. Try turning the cold water knob and seeing if the water starts up again.
Are Manufactured Homes durable?
Manufactured homes are built with more materials than site-built homes. ... These homes need to withstand the stresses of transportation from the factory to the intended lot or property, so they are built for maximum durability from start to finish.
Can you put a regular electric water heater in a mobile home?
To the question can I put a regular hot water heater in a mobile home, the answer is no. You cannot put a regular hot water heater in a mobile home. Water heaters for mobile homes will be approved for safety by the HUD.
Why is the water in my shower so hot?
It's possible your shower runs hot or cold because you just haven't found the right temperature setting for your hot water heater. ... This temperature is warm enough to stem the growth of bacteria in the hot water heater, and also warm enough to reach a perfect hot temperature in your shower.
Why is the water in my house cold?
Perhaps the most common reason for water to remain cold in a busy home is an empty tank . Water heaters work hard to heat an amount of water which fills the tank, but this tank has a limited capacity.
