Fall Mobile Home Maintenance
Fall has returned and with it, cooler weather, stronger winds, and colorful designs of fallen leaves. It’s the season for football, family gatherings, and all things pumpkin-spiced. It’s also the perfect time to focus on your Fall mobile home maintenance and ensure your home is ready for the seasonal changes. From weatherproofing to maintenance and design, now is the time to prioritize your mobile home upkeep and get it prepared for the fall festivities and weather ahead.
How Do I Prepare my Mobile Home for Fall Weather?
Like all homes, a little maintenance, both inside and out, goes a long way. As Fall’s unpredictable weather begins to creep in, it’s important that you know how to take care of your mobile home. Check out these fun and simple tips for making your Fall mobile home upkeep a breeze:
Exterior Mobile Home Maintenance
Seal Windows and Doors
Keeping the warm air in and the chilly air out is essential for your home in the Fall season. As the temperature drops, and your team scores a touchdown, the last thing you want is a chilly draft sneaking in cracks and gaps in your windows and door frames.
- Weatherstripping: Examine your home for areas that may need new weatherstripping. To prevent any drafts, reapply a fresh strip.
- Caulk: You can also use caulk to seal any cracks or gaps, so you can relax in the warmth of your home without worrying about cold air getting in. Be sure to think about how cold it gets in your area and choose a caulk that fits your environment. Silicone based caulks can withstand temperatures as low as minus –20, making them a popular choice for mobile homeowners.
Examine Your Skirting
Like your windows and doors, you don’t want any holes or gaps in your skirting. A good skirting prevents a lot from getting in and provides a solid foundation for your home.
- Keep the Pests Out: We aren’t the only ones who want to stay warm during the Fall season. Holes in your skirting send an open invite to creepy crawlies around your home, which can lead to infestation. Be sure to plug up any holes and fill cracks. For extra protection, consider spraying the exterior of your home with a bug spray like Home Defense.
- Maintain your insulation: The insulation in your skirting is essential to keeping you comfortable in this season. Be sure to check your insulation for any excess moisture, in order to prevent mold or mildew from unwanted water build-up. Keeping a close eye on your insulation and installing new insulation routinely ensures you won’t be left cold this Fall and keeps your energy bills low.
Prepare Your Roof
Fall can bring heavy rain, strong winds and even early snow, so roof maintenance is crucial to your Fall mobile home maintenance.
- Inspect the Roof: Look for damaged shingles or leaks. If you notice any issues, it’s important to reseal and recoat them immediately to prevent water damage.
- Clean Gutters: If your home has gutters, clear out leaves and debris from the gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage. This helps prevent a build up before the arrival of Winter.
Don’t Forget about Your Property
Mobile home upkeep goes beyond caring for the home itself. Check your property and the area surrounding your home for any potential weather hazards. A good clean up this Fall can ensure your home looks great year-round.
- Trim Trees and Bushes: Search your property for any overhanging branches or bushes that could damage your home during storms.
- Keep it Tidy: Plan ahead to keep your lawn healthy. Raking away leaves and debris can help your lawn to stay healthy for next Spring.
- Garden Essentials: Bring Summer plants, tools and furniture inside to avoid the harsh climate of the Fall season. Investing in a shed may be resourceful for this time of the year.
Interior Mobile Home Maintenance
Inspect and Maintain Your Heating System
Fall brings families together, so before everyone arrives and the chill of fall sets in, it’s crucial to ensure your heating system is in top shape.
- Check the Heat Pump: Schedule a professional inspection of your heat pump. You may need to change or clean filters to ensure optimal airflow throughout the home.
- Inspect Ducts and Vents: Make sure all vents aren’t obstructed and that ducts are clean. This is essential to maintaining good indoor air quality.
- Test Heating: Turn on your heating system. It may be hot right now, but you don’t want to find out later on it needs a repair. Don’t be alarmed at a burning smell when you first turn it on, as it’s just the heating system burning off dust and getting ready to warm the home. Addressing possible issues before the problem arrives is key to your mobile home care.
- Check Smoke Detectors: With heating systems running, it’s a good time to check and replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Emergency Actions: Prepare an emergency kit with essentials like water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, and first aid supplies. If you have young kids, it may be a good idea to prepare some coloring books or toys to pass the time.
- Winter Supplies: Stock up on items like ice melt and shovels to prepare for any early winter storms.
How to Decorate Your Mobile Home For Fall
Cozy Up Your Space
- Fall Decor: Small touches like pumpkin-scented candles, decorative signs and pictures, and fall-themed wreaths can go a long way in transforming your home for the season. Many even choose to DIY their own decor by using fallen leaves and pinecones or other hobby store materials.
- Warm Colors: Swap out lighter summer colors for cozy blankets, throw pillows, and area rugs in rich, fall-inspired colors like orange, deep reds, and soft browns and dark yellows.
- Soft Lighting: As the days get shorter, create a warm, cozy atmosphere with soft lighting. Use string lights, lanterns, and table lamps to add a gentle glow to your home, perfect for those chilly evenings indoors.
Liven Up the Yard
- Seasonal Landscaping: Pumpkins are a fan-favorite each year and carving them can be an easy fall activity for families. Consider displaying the pumpkins along the porch or door and spraying them with bleach-water for a longer lasting look! Brighten up your exterior with colorful carvings, fall flowers like mums or pansies and consider adding some decorative hay bales near your entryway. Fall wreaths, rugs and garlands can also add a festive touch to your door and windows.
- Porch Perfection: If your mobile home features a porch, make it an inviting space by adding a few rocking chairs or outdoor pillows. Layer your porch with cozy lights and decorations to create a welcoming atmosphere for you and your guests.
- Exterior Lighting: With shorter daylight hours, consider enhancing your outdoor space with string lights, lanterns, or path lighting. Not only does it add a beautiful glow, but it also creates a safer, more functional space for those cooler evening hangouts.
By adding a few personal touches, both inside and out, you can create a warm, welcoming space for the Fall season.
Fall mobile home maintenance may seem like a tall task, but by following these steps you’ll not only create a warm, inviting environment but also protect your investment. To learn more mobile home tips and information visit our website and explore our blogs and home inventory today!