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Mobile Home Doctor

• About MHD - My history repairing manufactured homes
  The Mobile Home Doctor discusses his experience and directs the reader to an excellent parts supply store.
• Feedback - Contacting the Mobile Home Doctor
  How to contact the Mobile Home Doctor with questions, suggestions or other ideas for the site.
• Search - Site search
  Search the Mobile Home Doctor site for information you need.
• Site Map - Mobile Home Doctor
  Links to all pages on Mobile Home Doctor.
• Home - Your source for information on repair, renovation and parts
  MobileHomeDoctor.com provides extensive information about manufactured housing and mobile homes. From experience gained working in a mobile home factory and from repairing mobile homes for a living, the Mobile Home Doctor shares his experiences, good and
  • Advice - Find the information you need
    Recommendations for finding repair information for your manufactured home.
    • At the factory - Inside the manufactured home factory
      A first-hand account of how mobile homes are constructed at the factory.
    • Appliances - Tips for replacement
      Save yourself time and hassle by reading the Mobile Home Doctor's advice before attempting appliance replacements.
    • Cabinets - Repair and renovation
      mobile home cabinets & renovation advice for mobile home owners and residents.
      • Loose Doors - Fix them the right way
        The Mobile Home Doctor tells you how to fix loose cabinet doors.
      • Replacement - Repair and replacement considerations
        The Mobile Home Doctor discusses considerations in repairing or replacing cabinets.
      • Sticking Doors - Easy steps to repair them quickly
        Steps for repairing cabinet doors that don't want to open.
    • Ceilings - Common repair questions
      Mobile home ceilings & renovation advice for mobile home owners and residents.
      • Fans - Repair and installation in manufactured homes
        Tips for installing ceiling fans in manufactured homes.
      • Repairs - Materials, tips and what to expect
        The Mobile Home Doctor discusses what to expect when starting this challenging repair.
      • Ceiling stains - How to repair without damaging the ceiling
        How to fix ceiling stains, including materials and procedure for the repair, from the Mobile Home Doctor.
    • Countertops - Hints and links to repair information
      Information on repairing counter tops in mobile homes.
      • Recaulking - Tips and suggestions
        Tips on re-caulking countertops in mobile homes.
      • Ceramic tile - Counter top repair
        Tips for replacing ceramic tiles on counter tops.
      • Delaminating - Suggestions for repairing the surface
        Tips on fixing problems of delaminating or peeling surfaces on counter tops.
      • Burned/chipped - Try this if you aren't ready to replace the entire surface
        A technique for repairing a burned or damaged counter top surface.
      • Replacing - Tips for your project
        Tips on replacing counter tops in mobile and manufactured homes.
      • Sagging - The short of it: replace them.
        What to do if your counter top is sagging.
      • Seam sealing - Keep the water out
        Why you need to make sure your counter top seams are sealed.
    • Doors - Exterior - Tips to make replacement go as planned
      Advice from the Mobile Home Doctor on replacing exterior doors in mobile homes.
    • Drain Lines - General information and troubleshooting
      The Mobile Home Doctor provides general information on drains and troubleshooting of problems, as well as links to information to more specific issues such as venting, items lost in drains and frozen drain lines.
      • Sink drains - Cleaning the trap
        Mobile home drain repair & renovation advice for mobile home owners and residents.
      • Floor traps - Issues with drains in Mobile Homes
        Mobile home drain repair & renovation advice for mobile home owners and residents.
      • Sewer Cleanout - Issues with mobile home drains
        mobile home drain repair advice for manufactured home owners and residents.
      • Frozen drains - Returning service safely
        The Mobile Home Doctor discusses that challenges posed by frozen drain lines.
      • Venting - A possible source of that sewer smell in the house
        Failed vents can cause a terrible smell from under your sink.
    • Electrical - The basics, the tools and how to troubleshoot
      The Mobile Home Doctor gives a short overview of the electrical system found in manufactured houses. From here you can proceed to troubleshooting guides for the more common electrical problems encountered.
      • What you need to know - What you need to know
        The Mobile Home Doctor gives the bad news for those plagued with aluminum wire in their homes.
      • Blown breaker - Blown Breakers
        What to do if a breaker keeps blowing in your mobile home.
      • Generators - Connect safely and live through the experience
        The Mobile Home Doctor discusses the issue of connecting your home to a portable generator when utility power is not available.
      • GFI's - What they are and how to test them
        A description of Ground Fault Interruptors (GFI or GFCI) and how to test them by the Mobile Home Doctor.
      • Many dead outlets - But not half of a double-wide
        Tips for locating the source of many dead outlets on a mobile home.
      • One dead outlet - Find and fix the problem
        The Mobile Home Doctor explains what to do if you have a dead electrical outlet.
      • One half dead - For double- and triple-wide homes
        What to do if a section of a doublewide or triplewide mobile home has no electricity.
    • Floors - Common questions and problems
      What are the most common issues regarding floors in manufactured housing? The Mobile Home Doctor shows you where to find more information about the floors in your home.
      • Belly - When to repair and what to use
        Materials and procedures for mobile home belly repair.
      • Carpet - Fixing common problems and replacement
        Mobile home carpet & renovation advice for mobile home owners and residents.
      • Replacement - Materials and directions
        Materials and directions to help you replace a bathroom (or other) floor in your home. While these instructions focus on a bathroom floor, other floors will be much the same.
      • Insulation - How it is installed and where to learn more
        The Mobile Home Doctor explains how insulation is installed in mobile homes. Due to the manner of installation, certain problems (such as frozen pipes) can occasionally occur. He recommends a book if you are interested in learning more about energy effici
      • Soft spots - Why they happen and how to repair them
        Causes of soft spots and how to fix them by the Mobile Home Doctor.
      • Squeaks - Where they come from and how you might fix them
        Methods for repairing those annoying floor noises and how they happen, from the Mobile Home Doctor.
      • Subfloor - What lies beneath
        Subfloor components and how they are installed in the factory.
      • Vinyl - Hints and considerations
        Ideas to keep in mind when repairing or replacing vinyl covered floors.
    • Gas Lines - General information and a caution against modification
      The Mobile Home Doctor explains the basics of gas lines in mobile homes and relates a cautionary tale about messing with them. Modifications can be tricky!
    • Heating/Cooling - What can go wrong and who to call about it
      The Mobile Home Doctor talks about problems often encountered in heating and cooling systems and how to figure out who needs to be called to fix them.
      • Air Conditioning - Who to call and energy saving tips
        Tips on air conditioner operation and troubleshooting for residents of manufactured homes
      • Condensation - Prevent a serious problem in your home
        How to avoid condensation problems on mobile home windows to prevent expensive damage.
      • Crossover Duct - When one half is not like the other
        Issues with crossover ducts in double-wide mobile homes.
      • Evaporative Cooler - What they are; how to maximize your cooling experience
        The Mobile Home Doctor gives an overview of evaporative (swamp) coolers and provides extensive hints for maintaining and maximizing the performance of your cooler.
      • Furnaces - General information and repairs to avoid
        The Mobile Home Doctor discusses issues specific to furnaces in mobile homes. This page also contains links to more information about furnaces including lighting pilot lights, troubleshooting, and furnace start up.
        • Operation - The basics
          An overview of how the furnace in your home works.
        • Pictures - No guts, no glory
          Pictures and descriptions so you know what you're looking at.
        • Pilots - How to and tips to get it on the first try
          How to light the pilot light on your furnace, with hints to make it easier.
        • Startup - Good ideas when it starts getting cold
          Things to keep in mind when starting up your furnace.
        • Problems - Figuring out what is broken and when to make a service call
          A troubleshooting guide for common furnace problems.
    • Plumbing - Categories and links to information
      A guide to plumbing pages from the Mobile Home Doctor.
      • Garbage disposals - When to replace and how to clear jams
        The Mobile Home Doctor tells you how to fix 98% of in-sink garbage disposal problems.
        • Installation and replacement - Installation and replacement
          Hints from the Mobile Home Doctor for adding or replacing a garbage disposal in your home.
      • Water heaters - Very different from site-built
        mobile home water heater & renovation advice for mobile home owners and residents.
      • Bathroom sinks - Replacement and repair
        Repair or replacement of mobile home bathroom sinks.
      • Faucets - What to expect in mobile homes and suggestions for replacement
        Recommendations from the Mobile Home Doctor regarding faucets, faucet repair and which faucets to choose when it is time to replace old equipment. Paying a little more for quality now will save you money in the long run.
      • Kitchen sinks - Useful information for planning a replacement.
        The Mobile Home Doctor discusses the common issues related to kitchen sink replacement. Sinks and counter tops used in mobile homes are not always compatible with those used in site-built homes.
        • Instructions and tips - Instructions and tips
          Instructions from the Mobile Home Doctor for replacing your kitchen sink. Find out what parts to look for and common challenges associated with the project.
      • Showers - Expectations for purchasing, materials and replacement
        Things to consider when planning a replacement in your home.
      • Toilets - Symptoms of problems with likely fixes
        How to fix common toilet problems in mobile and manufactured homes.
      • Tubs - Only replace with tubs for mobile homes
        Mobile home bathtubs & renovation advice for mobile home owners and residents.
    • Roof - Causes of and solutions to problems
      The Mobile Home Doctor discusses roof trouble and gives information to fix common problems.
      • Asphalt products - The classic inexpensive roof repair material
        Tips and materials used in roof repairs involving asphalt or tar.
      • Elastomeric coatings - About the materials and their use in roof repair
        Information to help you choose the right materials to repair your roof.
      • Safety - Legal & Physical - Physical and legal safety issues
        Tips for making repairs to minimize risks from both physical and legal dangers.
      • Major repair - Consider this before starting
        Ideas from the Mobile Home Doctor on major roof repairs, roof-overs and replacements.
      • Peel & Seal Instructions - Using this material for roof repair
        The Mobile Home Doctor shares information from the manufacturer on using this material.
      • Peel & Seal - How to use and where to buy
        The Mobile Home Doctor discusses roof repair using Peel and Seal and what to expect when using it, including tools.
      • Rumble buttons - Stop roof noise without using old tires.
        The Mobile Home Doctor tells you how to use them and not create more leaks at the same time.
      • Peel & Seal Project 1 - Pictures and descriptions of the repair
        Pictures and information on a roof repair made with Peel and Seel.
    • Teardown/Trans - What needs to happen and how to reduce cost
      Does the house need to be empty? What affects the price of transport?
    • Walls Exterior - Metal siding and hardboard
      mobile home repair of exterior walls & renovation advice for mobile home owners and residents.
    • Walls Interior - Categories and common questions
      Mobile home repair of interiors & renovation advice for mobile home owners and residents.
      • Interior Doors - Fix or replace; tips to help you out
        The Mobile Home Doctor gives tips for interior door repair on mobile homes.
      • Drywall - Repair, replacement and what to do when it is vinyl coated
        The Mobile Home Doctor discusses drywall (sheetrock) replacement and repair. Tips are also given for treating the vinyl covered drywall found in many manufactured homes.
      • Repairs - Ideas for simplifying repair work
        Suggestions for making repairs that look good and don't require extensive work.
      • Vinyl covered Panels - What to do with it? A very common question
        Mobile home drywall & renovation advice for mobile home owners and residents.
      • Wood Paneling - Mobile Home Interiors
        Mobile home wood paneling & renovation advice for mobile home owners and residents.
    • Water lines - Be wary of leaks
      Mobile home water line repair & renovation advice for mobile home owners and residents.
      • Connectors - Glossary of terms
        Terminology for connectors and supply lines used in mobile homes.
      • Copper - Information and repair tips
        Information on copper water lines used in mobile homes.
      • CPVC - An introduction
        Information on CPVC, finding fittings, and saving money in the process.
      • Frozen Lines - Preventative measures and a safe way to fix the problem
        An introduction to measures to prevent frozen water lines. The Mobile Home Doctor also gives the preferred method for dealing with frozen lines.
      • Genova Fittings - Awesome parts, but there is now a better option
        The Mobile Home Doctor provides information on a really awesome set of parts for simple pipe repairs in mobile homes. A newer, better part is also recommended.
      • Iron Pipe - Suggestions to make your repair easier
        The Mobile Home Doctor gives tips on working with the iron (galvanized) pipes found in some older homes.
      • Leaks - How to find them and why you need to
        are a death sentence for your home. The Mobile Home Doctor helps you find them.
      • PEX - Poly-expanded styrene
        The Mobile Home Doctor introduces you to PEX.
      • Poly - The grey pipe to watch out for
        The Mobile Home Doctor discusses poly (polybutylene) pipe.
      • PVC - About its use
        The Mobile Home Doctor discusses PVC and working with it.
    • Why DIY - Risks in not doing it yourself
      Why repairing your home yourself can be the best option available.
    • Windows - Types, replacement issues and style ideas
      Tips to help you replace a window or improve the look of old windows.
  • Complaints - Advice for getting problems fixed
    How to complain effectively to get repairs made to your home despite reluctant service providers.
    • Mobile Home Repair - Mobile Home Repair
      Wobile home warranties & renovation advice for mobile home owners and residents.
  • Find Contractors - Challenges and ideas beyond the phone book
    Resources for locating contractors in your area.
  • Humor - Not funny during the experience, but it is now
    The Mobile Home Doctor shares a (finally) funny story from a repair job gone haywire.
    • A long couple of days - A long couple of days
      A humorous story of the many things that can, and often do, go wrong when fixing a home.
  • Renovations - Introduction
    Introduction to a mobile home renovation project with many pictures and details.
    • Bid Sheet A-105 - A sample, with advice for the homeowner
      An example of a bid from a contractor for repair work on a mobile home.
    • After A-105 - A walkthrough in pictures
      A photo walk-through of a completed mobile home renovation project.
    • Overview A-105 - The before pictures
      Picture tour of a home prior to renovation. (Did it ever need it!)
    • Problems A-105 - Problems close up and in pictures
      Close up analysis of problems on a home that the Mobile Home Doctor was renovating.
  • Materials - A work in progress
    Materials used in repairing mobile homes.
    • Mobile home repair materials - Mobile home repair materials
      The Mobile Home Doctor discusses putty tape, a very useful material.
  • Setup - Who is responsible for what?
    Issues involved in getting a mobile home set up; subcontractors, inspections, loans.
    • Dealer - Make notes and check them more than twice
      The Mobile Home Doctor gives advice on dealing with dealers.
    • Foundation - Diagrams and standards information
      Details on how foundations for mobile homes have been constructed. Includes diagrams and text from standard installations in the past.
    • Level - Sources of problems
      Causes of unlevel homes and what it takes to fix it.
    • Manufacturer - Warranties, dealers and time
      Who is responsible for what, and why it is good get problems addressed quickly.
    • Skirting - Decorative and functional
      The Mobile Home Doctor talks about available options for skirting (underpinning) for mobile homes.
    • Tiedowns - Where to find them
      Resources for tie downs and ground anchor systems.
    • Transport - How fast can a 40,000 pound house move?
      Mobile home transport & renovation advice for mobile home owners and residents.
    • Trimout - One of the final steps in setup
      Mobile home trimout & renovation advice for mobile home owners and residents.
    • Utility Hookup - The many players involved in this step
      mobile home utility hookups & renovation advice for mobile home owners and residents.
  • Tools - The right tools will greatly simplify your life.
    See these recommendations for tools to make your home repair tasks much easier.
    • Air Tools - Repairing manufactured homes goes much faster
      Tips for simplifying home repairs and painting by using air-powered tools.
    • Carpet - Tools needed for carpet repair in Manufactured Homes
      Mobile home carpet tools & renovation advice for mobile home owners and residents.
    • Drills - Simplify repair work with the right tool
      Recommendations for drills from the Mobile Home Doctor's experience working on many homes.
    • Drywall - Comparing the job between a site-built home and a manufactured home
      The Mobile Home Doctor compares tools for working on drywall in mobile homes and site-built homes. Also, some considerations are given for putting drywall into a mobile home.
    • Electrical - Avoid trips to the parts store by having these on hand
      The Mobile Home Doctor provides information on some of the tools you will want to have on hand for most types of basic electrical work in your home.
    • Jacks - About their use
      Information about jacks used with mobile homes. The Mobile Home Doctor gives some basic safety tips for using them.
    • Knee Pads - Why they are so wonderful
      and their benefits, from experience of hot roofs and pointed nails.
    • Hand Tools - Recommendations not listed elsewhere
      The Mobile Home Doctor recommends some extra tools to help you during repairs.
    • Saws - Tools you may want to own
      The Mobile Home Doctor tells you what types of saws he has found most useful in repairing homes.
    • Snakes - A handy tool for the home owner
      The Mobile Home Doctor suggests certain types of snakes for use in clearing drain problems in mobile homes.
    • Wrenches - Warnings and recommendations
      Wrenches for mobile home repair & renovation advice for mobile home owners and residents.

©2007 Mobile Home Doctor, LLC