Copy of Your Mobile Home's Plumbing: What You Need to Know #1
Whether you live in a mobile home out of convenience, to follow the small home trend, or because you like the simplicity of it, you likely want to take care of your property. This includes your plumbing.
But the plumbing in your mobile home is not as easy to see, clean, and repair. If you have clogged drains or water backups, read on before you buy that bottle of drain cleaner. Below, we discuss everything you need to know about your mobile home's plumbing and why you should call a plumbing professional instead of DIYing your repairs.
What Are the Most Common Plumbing Issues in Mobile Homes?
Unfortunately, a mobile home's pre-manufactured design and the materials used in the plumbing can cause any of the following issues over time:
- Low water pressure
- Slow drainage
- Foul smells coming from the drains
- Backflow into tubs, sinks, and water-based appliances
- Odd noises, such as thumping, creaking, and banging
- Dripping faucets
- Pooling water inside the home
- Clogged drains and toilet
Why Are These Issues So Common?
As mentioned above, the design of your mobile home and the materials used to make up the plumbing system can cause these issues to occur more often.
Design
Mobile homes are not built into a plot of land like traditional homes are. They are built and then set on top of a lot within a neighborhood or community. The plumbing system typically goes into the floors to accommodate such a small structure and the corresponding piping is within the land the mobile home sits on.
Because the plumbing connects to piping under the floor, and because the pipes can sit at different angles (that you would not normally see in traditional homes), this design simply puts the system at a slightly higher risk for plumbing problems. Likewise, the design of the home may impede the plumbing ventilation system, leading to further issues.
Materials
Many people invest in mobile homes because they are so affordable. However, that lower mortgage payment does often come with a cost: cheaper materials to build the structure. Instead of using more durable copper pipes, mobile home builders often use plastic piping (PEX or CPVC pipes) to build the plumbing system. This material is lighter, but it is more likely to crack and leak over time.
Should You Do Anything to Fix the Problems Yourself?
If you notice minor issues, such as a clogged toilet, you can fix the problem yourself. After all, using a plunger to unclog a toilet is easy to do and likely will not cause any damage to your plumbing system.
For larger issues, such as a leaky faucet that will not stop dripping or a burst pipe, leave the inspection and repairs to the professionals.
How Can a Plumber Help?
While a mobile home's design does increase the chances of plumbing problems, that same design also makes it easier for plumbers to pinpoint and repair most issues. They can easily access the pipes underneath the house and use the proper equipment to inspect the interior and exterior of drains and pipelines.
They can also replace those lines and any of the water fixtures (your toilet, faucets, or showerheads) with precision and care to avoid worsening an issue.
Do not take your home's plumbing repair into your own hands — let a professional do all the hard work for you. Contact the team at O'Fallon Sewer Service to schedule your next tune-up or cleaning. We look forward to speaking with you.
