NEWSLETTER
MANUFACTURED HOME REPAIR
Summer 2001

In this issue, we will discuss:

* Sealing a metal roof
* A story from 'The Life of a Mobile Home Repair Man'
* Look inside your heat duct
* Painting insulated skirting
* A better type of rubber roofing
* Tip of the month - A quick fix for a hole made by a doorknob
* Picture of the month

TIPS FOR SEALING A METAL ROOF
by MobileHomeRepair.com

If you've never sealed your metal roof, then your in luck as you can do it right the first time. If you already have coats of sealant on your roof, there's still hope. Just follow these steps:
1) Remove all old sealant from seams and around vents. Remove any flaking or loose coatings on the remainder of the roof. Then clean the roof.
2) Apply neoprene rubber flashing cement to all seams and around vents.
3) Let cure overnight and apply your favorite roof coating according to manufacturer instructions.

The neoprene, not the roof coating, is what really prevents the roof from leaking because its so strong and stretches as the roof moves. Most roof coatings when used without the neoprene can't handle that kind of moving and stretching so fail within a year causing the roof to leak again.

A good tip for removing old coatings at the seams is to use a wire brush that fits into a drill or grinder (as pictured). Work with care as you could grind a hole right through the roof!

For these and other tips, visit MobileHomeRepair.com. If you'd like to see future repair tips in this newsletter, please e-mail us at info@mobilehomerepair.com.

A STORY FROM 'THE LIFE OF A MOBILE HOME REPAIR MAN'
Last week I got a call to do an estimate on repairing an electric hot water heater. The complaint was no hot water. My estimates are free, so I stopped by.

Right away I noticed that the fuse button on the water heater had popped out. I pushed it back in and it stayed. The water heater was now working at this time. I explained to the customer that something is causing this button to trip and it could happen again. I gave an estimate of possible repairs and told her no charge on pushing the button.

Three days later she called again, saying that the button had popped back out again. I asked her if she'd like to do the repairs. She said she couldn't afford them. So I told her to try pushing the button again. She said she was scared to try and wanted me to stop back over.

So I stopped back over and pushed the button. I then gave her a $35 bill for my service call. I never got a call again to push that button. But I did see her about a week later, and she said the button had tripped again, but was still afraid to push it so hasn't had hot water for days.


A TRICK FOR LOOKING INSIDE YOUR DUCT WORK

Now here's a trick that could come in handy from time to time. If you ever desire to see down inside your duct work, try this. First, remove the floor register by unscrewing two screws. Then set a flashlight down inside the duct. Finally, reach down into the duct with a makeup mirror and take a look around. By moving the mirror and/or light, you'll be surprised as to how much you can actually see (or don't want to see!)


PAINTING INSULATED SKIRTING

Many of you who live in parks may have received your spring 'to-do' list from the management. Painting your skirting may be on your list. If you have thermal insulated skirting that look like brick, then painting every other year or so has become a habit.

To paint this type of skirting, you first want to brush off that flaky white stuff. One effective method of brushing is to use a car brush attached to a hose. Turn the water on low and lightly brush. Let dry then apply a coat or two of latex paint with a thick nap roller. Don't use oil base paint is it may eat the skirting.


A BETTER TYPE OF RUBBER ROOFING
We wish to extend a GREAT BIG WELCOME to Harvey Roofing. Harvey Roofing manufactures a better rubber roofing system called polyvinyl. The biggest difference between polyvinyl and regular rubber is that if the rubber is punctured, the tear will run. Polyvinyl ropes up and stops any tears or punctures from running. You'll also be pleased by the low cost. For more info, click here.


TIP OF THE MONTH
A quick fix for a hole made by a doorknob

Doorknob made a hole in your wall? Then this new item will be a life saver. Simply peel and stick over the hole. Wall is repaired and shielded from future holes. Door stop still recommended.


PICTURE OF THE MONTH

Let's hope underneath your home isn't flooded like this.

If you have a picture or repair tip to share with us, please e-mail it to us.