A Guide To Common Mobile Home Plumbing Problems
As with any home, your mobile home requires love and care to keep operating at its best. Left on its own, the natural way is for things to deteriorate over time. Take plumbing, for instance.
Leaks will come about. Toilets will overflow. The water pressure may fail you. Whatever the problem may be, the causes may just be due to time taking its toll. And of course, the day to day use can add some wear to your plumbing system.
And that’s why we’re here today. We’ve brought you solutions to the most common mobile home plumbing problems. This is a one-stop guide to common mobile home plumbing problems and ways to resolve them.
A guide on common mobile home plumbing problems & how to fix them
There’s no need to go into a panic if a leak springs or your toilet won’t flush. We’ve got your back with the subsequent sections that detail issues and point you to solutions.
It’s only a matter of having the right tools and a mind to roll up your sleeves. Let’s get to it.
As you read through this guide, don’t forget that there is help out there. If you’re intimidated by the repairs, you can always call a handyman or see about having a family or friend show you how to fix it.
Fix a dripping faucet
First on our list of common mobile home plumbing problems is the annoying drippy faucet.
For instructions on fixing a leaky faucet, this link has you covered. You begin by shutting off the water under the sink. Then you close the sink drain to catch anything you might drop into the sink. For your wrench, you’ll want to tape the jaws of your wrench with duct tape so you don’t scratch the faucet. Further repair instructions will vary according to the type of faucet in your mobile home.
Improving water pressure in your shower
There are a few ways you can improve the water pressure in your shower. You can see about loosening any valves that control water pressure. To help the problem, you could also see about installing a new and modified shower head.
Fix leaking on/off valve behind washer machine
In finding yourself standing in a puddle of water, you know there’s a problem in your laundry room. If the problem is with the on/off valve behind the washer machine, we’ve got your back.
Check that the hoses are fitted tightly and ensure that the valve is flipped on correctly. If the leaking persists, consider replacing the o-rings or bushings. Worn out o-rings or loose hose connections are the usual culprits for this type of plumbing problem.
Repair a leaking shower head
In repairing a leaking shower head, you’re saving money on your water bill. Yes, you’re fixing a problem too. But the leaking shower head is too easy to ignore if it’s leaking straight onto the bathroom floor. Don’t ignore it. It will affect your water bill.
Various issues can be attributed to causing a leaking shower head. For example, it could be that the mineral deposits from the water have built up inside the shower head. Or perhaps it’s a matter of a worn seal.
How to unclog a sink drain
Now talk about the inconvenience. A clogged sink drain can put a stop to progress in any home. It’s something you’ll want to resolve before another day goes by — especially as dirty dishes will begin to pile up.
Here’s how to unclog a sink drain. You can begin by pouring boiling water down the sink drain. See how that works for you. After that, if the clog is still an issue, check your sink’s garbage disposal. If it’s not working properly, it’s possible that’s the culprit.
Additionally, you can try vinegar and baking soda for help in clearing out the clog. Other methods can be employed such as cleaning out the P-Trap or using a plunger.
Stop a running toilet
To stop a running toilet is to take care of your water bill and deal with a problem that could snowball into something great. You can stop a running toilet by following the four-step instruction process listed in the link mentioned in this paragraph.
About 95% of toilet flushing problems are resolved through this process. In addition to that, this fix can resolve low flushing power and other problems.
Unclogging a toilet
Here’s one that may throw you for a loop — a toilet that’s clogged beyond the help of a plunger. Never fear. There’s help for unclogging a toilet. Before you call your local plumber, try something different. According to the source we’ve linked to, about 90% of clogged toilets can be resolved thanks to a plunger.
If the plunger fails you, it’s time to use a tool called a toilet snake. It’s a long wire coil that will clear a pathway or latch onto the offending item to clog the toilet so that it can be pulled out.
Repairing leak under your sink
No one wants to wake up in the morning and walk over to the bathroom sink only to find a pool of water built up from a leaky sink. Repairing the leak under your sink isn’t impossible. It’s actually necessary lest water damage and mold set in. You don’t want that! Trust us.
In many cases, the repair only requires that you tighten a connection. But it’s not always that easy. It could be a bit more intensive than expected, but that’s OK. With the right resources, you’ll get your leak problems resolved.
How to repair water leaks underneath your mobile home
Water leaks underneath your mobile home are an aggravating problem. There are ways to repair these leaks. And it’s something you’ll want to do before water damage becomes part of your mobile home’s construction.
It’s key that you identify and deal with leaks sooner rather than later. Left unattended to, their long term effects can be negative. Read up on our linked article for information on how to handle these leaks.
Resolving sewage smell
Do you have a sewage smell bringing an odious aroma to your nose? Here’s how to understand what it means and what to do about it.
Who likes stepping into their home from fresh air into pungent air? Take control of your mobile home’s quality air and send that sewage smell back where it belongs — into the sewage.
So where do you begin to find the culprit? If left unattended to, over time, it can cause all manner of ill side effects including but not limited to nausea, headaches, delirium, and tremors.
Before calling in the professionals, try cleaning out your plumbing’s P-trap. You may also try pouring boiling hot water into your drains. Vinegar, baking soda and chlorine bleach could also help. Let each item sit in the drain for at least two hours at a time. (Be sure that you steer clear of mixing bleach with vinegar.)
Fixing hot water issue
Knowing how to troubleshoot and repair a lack of hot water in your mobile home is helpful. No one likes to wash dishes or take showers with cold water.
In fixing your hot water issues, your family will be much more grateful and less apt to take hot water for granted.
First, you will begin by checking the gas hot water heater’s pilot light. Is the light on or off? If it’s off, then relight it. (There is more detail on that in the article we linked to in this section.) Additionally, you can check the heater’s thermocouple if the problem persists. Thankfully, this is an easy replacement if buying a new one is necessary.
Other solutions are listed within the resource we linked to.
Dealing with frozen pipes underneath your mobile home
Do you know how to take care of the frozen pipes under your mobile home? If not, we’ve got your back with that link to a breakdown of the process.
In short, freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on your plumbing. If it’s cold out there and the water won’t come out of the faucet, chances are there’s a stretch of frozen pipe somewhere.
But where?
If you find that none of the faucets are outputting water, then you may find that the main water line is the culprit. Should you find the water coming from your bathroom faucets, but not your kitchen — the stretch of frozen pipe is probably under the kitchen.
After that, you can look at the pipes underneath and look for signs of freezing over. If you see frost or an odd color, then it’s possible you’re looking at the right area of the pipe system. Additionally, you can take a screwdriver to the pipe and lightly hit to look for areas that don’t sound as hollow.
Where you don’t hear a hollow sign, it’s probable that the water has frozen and expanded there.
Winterizing your toilet
Now let’s talk about how to winterize your toilet. With a mobile home, winter prep is a real thing to keep in mind. Most people chose their mobile home due to affordability coupled with quality.
Why would you want to sink more money into your home due to poor planning on your part? That’s why winterizing your toilet is important.
To winterize your toilet, you’re looking at an easy three-step process. First of all, you’re going to drain the toilet’s tank. Then you can drain the toilet bowl. After that, you may now add plumber’s antifreeze into the toilet’s tank.
How to check your plumbing after record-breaking chills
Now for the last item on our guide to common mobile home plumbing problems and how to fix them.
There is no sense in ignoring the fact that your mobile home may have endured some record-breaking wind chills. It’s best to face possible problems head-on and deal with it accordingly.
Look for water spillage pooling around the house — think near toilets and sinks, for example. This will help you identify the pipes that have leaks as a result of the foul winter weather.
But don’t forget the old saying — an ounce of prevention is a pound of cure. Give your mobile home the preventative measures before disaster strikes. You’ll be glad you did. Mitigating problems is half the battle when caring for a home of your own.
Know your plumbing system and win at plumbing
There you have it. A guide on common mobile home plumbing problems and how to fix them.
To best serve your mobile home’s plumbing, understand how your pipe system works. This will play well into helping you resolve any issues that come your way.
Don’t be intimidated by it all. If in a real pinch, there are professional plumbers out there. These plumbers are often a mere phone call away and ready to deliver you from the consequences of plumbing gone all wrong.
Be your own handyman
We trust this guide has provided you with a positive switchboard of sorts, sending you toward material that’s well worth the read in problem-solving. You don’t have to be at the whim of leaks and stinks or even the aid of a professional plumber. Take a step back and examine your unique situation. You may be able to fix it yourself.
With that said, don’t be afraid to call in a professional if it comes down to it. If you’re not careful, a well-meaning repair attempt could turn into an expensive mistake. Weigh your options, do your research, and commit to fixing your mobile home plumbing problems.
You’ll be glad you did. And it’ll sure feel good to say that you could tackle the fix on your own.
Happy plumbing to you and yours!
We talked about mobile home plumbing — much of which is accessible underneath the exterior of the mobile home. Have you considered dressing up and covering your mobile home’s underside? Check out the latest trends in mobile home skirting and more. We think you’ll like the ideas we have in store for you.