Buying a new home is an exciting time. Everything feels just right, and you can rest easy knowing that everything is in its place. But if you want your home to stay that way, some maintenance is required. Maintenance helps to keep your home pristine while also saving you money from costly repairs caused by unseen issues. If you’re looking to buy a manufactured home or just bought one, here’s your one-stop guide on manufactured home maintenance in Florida!
How to Maintain a Manufactured Home in Florida
Maintaining a manufactured home is very similar to maintaining a site-built home. There are a few unique tasks you should be aware of, especially given our harsh Florida weather. Here are our top seven checklist items for manufactured homes to keep them as new as the day you bought them!
1. Protect Your Foundation
The safety of your manufactured home depends on its foundation. Make sure that the water that runs off of the roof moves away from the home, not under it. This can be accomplished by gutters or grading.
Your manufactured home likely has skirting around the foundation to add curbside appeal to your home. Ensure that the ground is not washing out under the skirting and isn’t lifting, warping, or missing. If it is, call in a professional to either repair or replace the skirting and have a professional assess the foundation for any damage.
2. Keep Up with Your HVAC
Florida living revolves around a functional HVAC unit. Unfortunately, our high temperatures and frequent storms put a lot of strain on these systems, especially in the summer months. While you may not be able to completely avoid repairs, some basic maintenance can help keep your home cool and comfortable for as long as possible:
- Clean up debris around your outside unit
- Regularly change your air filter
- Be aware of odd smells or sounds
- Ensure your home is reaching the temperature it’s set at
- Have a professional inspect and clean your system at least once a year
3. Check Your Roof
Your roof is the first line of defense against the outside elements and your home, and it protects you from Florida’s extreme weather. However, it may wear down over time from water, heat, or wind damage. While we don’t recommend you get on your roof, we do suggest you walk around from the ground and try to see if you can spot any damage or signs of wear.
For example, if you have a shingle roof, you may notice some shingles are cracked, curling, or missing. For metal roofs, it’s more common to spot holes or rusted areas. At the first sign of roof damage, call a professional roofer to prevent further damage.
4. Invest in Pest Control
According to Google statistics, over 24,000 pest-related searches are made in Florida on a monthly basis. Florida’s beautiful ecosystem, regrettably, includes pests—and many of them want to make your home their new nest. This can wreak havoc on your home. Not only are pests unsightly, but they can spread disease, contaminate food, and even cause structural damage to your home.
In order to protect your home, the best thing to do is to find a monthly or quarterly pest control service that sprays regularly. This will help to create a pest-free barrier around your home, and many pest control companies offer a guarantee on their services, so you can call if you notice a bug after a spray.
5. Prepare for Hurricane Season
Florida is notorious for its frequent hurricanes, and while manufactured homes are designed to withstand your location’s wind zone, you still want to prepare your home for hurricane season. Here are some things you can do to prepare:
- Buy a roof tarp
- Invest in storm shutters
- Stock up on shelf-stable food
- Consider installing a backup generator
- Pay attention to evacuation warnings
- Trim back or cut down any trees near your home
Want a more comprehensive guide on what to do when hurricane season rolls around? Discover our top tips for manufactured homes during hurricane season here!
6. Get Professional Inspections
Ultimately, the best thing you can do for your manufactured home is to get thorough home inspections and have it redone every five years. Professionals are able to spot the damage you may not notice without years of training. Catching damage early helps protect your home and saves you money in the long run—it’s always worth it to just make sure everything is working how it’s supposed to.
Find Your Perfect Florida Home at Prestige Home Centers
At Prestige Home Centers, we pride ourselves on providing state-of-the-art, pristine manufactured homes to our customers. With just a little regular maintenance, your new manufactured home will last you for decades to come. Discover your dream home by browsing our floor plans and scheduling a tour at one of our model centers!