There it is again – a loud squeak every time someone walks down the hall. This may be a good sound for parents hearing their kids coming home before curfew, but it’s really annoying at 3 a.m. when someones just making a trip to the kitchen.
Floor squeaks are caused by natural shrinkage of wood due to changes in moisture content. As the wood dries, it shrinks, and nails can loosen. When you step on the floor, the wood moves and rubs against the fasteners. Squeak!
Many options exist to correct floor squeaks. Often you can work from below to add (or “sister”) strips of framing wood to the existing joist. Use construction adhesive and screws to secure the strip of framing to the joist and the subfloor. The construction adhesive is the key – it bonds to all surfaces and will not shrink as it cures.
You can also add a thin wood shim to gaps between the floor joists and the subfloor. Again, use construction adhesive. Gently tap the shims into the gap. Don’t pound the shims into the gap because this may widen it and make the problem worse.

Time to geen up outside. Whether its cleaning the patio or watering the grass and flowers, we all have plenty of uses for our garden hoses. But what about those leaky connectors, the splits or damaged fittings? You don’t want to waste a perfectly good hose – but think of the mess and all that water wasted at the leaks.
A quick trip to the hardware store and just a few dollars can make you’re hoses perform like new. If the leak is at a fitting and the connectors are in good shape, just replace the washer In the fitting.
A hard, cracked or grooved washer will always leek no matter how much you tighten the fitting. The new washer will seal between the two mating surfaces and make the connection watertight.
If a hose section is split, you can purchase a splice. Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch. Cut out the bad section and take it to the hardware store to find the correct size. Splice the remaining good section with a short tube splice and simple clamps.
If a hose end connector is bent or damaged, but the correct size fitting, cut off the old fitting and slip a new one into place. Tighten the clamps and you are good to go.

Modern Water Hammer Arrester

Every time the clothes washer fills, you hear knocking and thumping in the wall or basement. Then it knocks again cluing the rinse cycle. What’s knocking?
Often It’s the water pipes knocking against the framing of your home. You may also hear a knock after the toilet fills or when you quickly turn off a faucet.
The knocking is caused by a phenomenon called water hammer. Water is heavy, and as it moves through pipes it carries lots of energy. When the water flow Is stopped by a valve, energy in the flow shakes the pipes. This is a particular problem when a valve closes quickly — like an electrically operated valve (solenoid valve) in a washing machine.
What’s the fix? Add a water hammer arrester to the water line. A water hammer arrester provides an air cushion that compresses when water flow is quickly stopped. The air cushions the energy and prevents hammering.
Modern water hammer arresters are sealed so they should never lose the air cushion. Older arresters are just inverted, capped pipes that are supposedly filled with air. The old units can lose the air cushion, and then you need to drain the plumbing system to re-establish the air cushion.

Provided courtesy of: The House Detective

Every once in a while, the washer creates a rust stain on clothes. Maybe rust was in the water or there’s a little rust in the washer drum, or maybe you left a rusty part in a pants pocket. Now the rust appears as a dark red spot on your pants or that new white sweater.

The quick fix for you- rusty stain is Whink Rust Stain Remover. Apply a small amount of liquid vvhink to the rust spot, and it will quickly disappear.

Before you treat the fabric, make sure it’s colorfast. Then follow the label directions. Dampen the stain with water and apply a few drops of Whink to the stain. When the stain is gone, rinse the fabric thoroughly with cold water, then machine launder and dry before wearing.

Since this is a powerful chemical, you need to follow the safety precautions on the label. Wear rubber gloves to avoid hand contact, and don’t use Whink with other chemicals. Avoid contact with colored surfaces.

Whink Rust Stain Remover can be purchased at most grocery and hardware stores. A small brown bottle costs just a few dollars and will go a long way.

Provided courtesy of: The House Detective

It may be time to “green up” your gloomy family room with a fresh coat of light-colored paint. The lighter color will help limit the need for artificial light and improve the distribution of natural light. But what if your family room is one of those with dark paint or worse yet, old wood paneling? How do you lighten that?

Your first impulse might be to remove the sheetrock or paneling, but that could disturb the trim around windows and doors as well as the flooring. You may also find damaged or unfinished drywall — another project to keep you busy.

Proper prep and painting is the quick fix. The room will be lighter and look more modern with very little effort and if the paneling has grooves, they just add to the finished appeal.

Before painting, wash the walls with a strong detergent like Mex or a TSP substitute, and rinse well. If paneling is still shiny, lightly sand with medium sandpaper.
The next step is the key: prime with BIN or KILZ. These special white primers will cover the dark color and bond to the surface. After the primer is dry, paint with any high-quality latex interior paint.

Provided courtesy of: The House Detective

What is the number one source of water damage inside a home? It’s not tornadoes, rainstorms or hurricanes. It is broken washing machine hoses. Left undetected, a broken washer apply hose can quickly flood a manufactured home.

Check your washer’s hoses periodically. If there are any signs of bulging or leakage, replace the hoses.

Make are you washer has heavy, reinforced hoses. The better quality washer hoses are reinforced with braided metal on the outside or inside. In this case, cost can be an indication of quality, so buy the best hoses you can find and read labels to compare types of construction.

The best washer hose, Watts brand FloodSafe®, shuts off when there is excessive flow of water. Some systems automatically turn off the water when the washer is off. Check out the designs available from Watts and other manufacturers.

Another option is to turn off the water to the washing machine when it is not in use. This may not be practical if your laundry area has typical plumbing valves, but it’s very easy if you install a special valve that allows you to turn off hot and cold with a flip of a lever in your mobile home.

Provided courtesy of: The House Detective

What Are Site Built Homes?

• They are constructed entirely at the building site.
• They conform to all state, local or regional codes where the house is located.
• Often called ‘stick-built’ houses.
• A well-built, cared for site-built home generally increases in value over time, although its location plays a key role in value.

What Are Modular Homes?

• Modular homes are built in sections at a factory.
• Modular homes are built to conform to all state, local or regional building codes at their destinations.
• Sections are transported to the building site on truck beds, then joined together by local contractors.
• Local building inspectors check to make sure a modular home’s structure meets requirements and that all finish work is done properly.
• Modular homes are sometimes less expensive per square foot than site built houses.
• A well-built modular home should have the same longevity as its site-built counterpart, increasing in value over time.

Read More Facts About Modular homes

What Are Manufactured Homes?

• Formerly referred to as mobile homes or trailers, but with many more style options than in the past.
• Manufactured houses are built in a factory.
• They conform to a Federal building code, called the HUD code, rather than to building codes at their destinations.
• Manufactured homes are built on a non-removable steel chassis.
• Sections are transported to the building site on their own wheels.
• Multi-part manufactured units are joined at their destination.
• Segments are not always placed on a permanent foundation, making them more difficult to re-finance.
• Building inspectors check the work done locally (electric hook up, etc.) but are not required to approve the structure.
• Manufactured housing is generally less expensive than site built and modular homes.
• Manufactured homes sometimes decrease in value over time.

Read More Facts About Manufactured homes

What Do the Differences Mean to You?

Restrictive Covenants and Deed Restrictions

• Communities generally have no restrictions against traditional, site built homes. Many housing developments do set minimum size requirements and stipulate you must build a house that conforms to published [link url=http://homebuying.about.com/cs/deedrestrictions/a/restrictions.htm]restrictive covenants[/lik] or be approved by an architectural review committee.
• Most developments allow modular homes. Some do not, but in those cases the restrictions seem to have been imposed because of an ongoing confusion about the differences between modular homes and manufactured homes.
• Restrictive covenants and deed restrictions often exclude manufactured homes.

Investigate the deed restrictions thoroughly before purchasing land for any type of new home.

http://homebuying.about.com/cs/modulareducation/a/modularhomes.htm

Many Mobile Homes were installed in the 1970′s and are nearing their life span.  Most owners will consider the important question: is Mobile Home Renovation better or is  Replacement the right choice?

MH Repair vs. Replace

Many factors must be considered when deciding which option is better.

• Why are you considering this renovation or replacement
• Condition of the existing unit (how much work would be needed to bring it up to “new” standards and does the current floor plan work)
• Budget for Mobile Home renovation or replacement
• Financing options
• Size of lot
• Current Park requirements
• Housing market for new and used Mobile Homes/Manufactured Homes

Let’s address these one-by-one – but first consider this:

95% of the time a new Mobile Home installed will be worth much more than an older, renovated Mobile Home

Ok, why are you considering the Mobile Home renovation or replacement?

Perhaps you are going to sell and you want to get the biggest bang for your buck?  Maybe you want to live in the home and enjoy the home for many more years?

If you are going to sell right away your first choice should be to replace the Mobile Home.  You will be able to ask a higher price and get it sold quicker.

If you are to live in the home, then either option may be just fine for you.  You will have to consider more factors, like your current floor plan – does it suit your needs?  Are there enough bedrooms and bathrooms?

What is the condition of the current Mobile Home?

Perhaps the current home has been kept in very good condition?  Maybe is is falling apart?  Maybe the current home is too small or lacks a good floor plan?

If the current home has good “bones” and is in good shape (have the chassis and foundation inspected) then a Mobile Home renovation could be a good option.

If there are any major problems with current home then a new Manufactured Home is the better option.

A Mobile Home that needed to be replaced

Before

What is your budget for the project?

Are you doing any of the work your self?  Are you in construction or would you need to hire some one for all of the work?

If you are handy with a hammer, then a Mobile Home renovation might work well for you.  The ability to do your own work will pay off, but don’t expect very high returns for your efforts.

However, if you would need to hire a contractor to do all the work, it is almost guarenteed to be better to replace the home with a new one.  The bang for your buck goes way farther.

The new replacement home

After

What financing options do you have?

Would you need to finance some of the work or all of it?

Check the options you have for cash out on a refinance for home improvement and also for new replacement (new construction or construction-to-perm) financing.

Typically, there are more options for replacement financing than home improvement cash out – make sure to check this before deciding.

What is the size of the lot?

If the current home is on a small lot, and only will fit a similar sized home, this could be a reason to do a Mobile Home renovation on the current unit.  Have a qualified person come out and measure your lot.

If the current home is on a normal to large sized lot, then chances are that a replacement will be better.  Why?  New Manufactured Homes are usually larger than the older homes they replace – lot size is critical in planning for a new home. You MUST have a qualified person measure the lot and the Park sign off before proceeding.  See our Dealer recommendation for a good person to work with, and also see the Mobile Home repair page for qualified people to call.

What are the current Park requirements for renovation and replacement?

You will need to clear it with the Park either way, so checking with them might shed some light on which will be better, renovation or replacement.

In some instances the Park will require a new home to conform to a certain look, like having a brick or stone facade.  These requirements might be costly and should be considered before deciding.

In other instances the Park might require that all new homes be of a certain sized smaller than what is there currently – with the current home being “grandfathered” in.  It will pay to check early on in the process.

Lastly, what is the current housing market like for Mobile Homes in your area?

You may see that a new Mobile Home will fetch a higher price than an older home in the same park – this is typical.

However, there are some areas that simply do not command a high enough price for any home to justify a new replacement to be done.  For instance, in some parts of Los Angeles, a new replacement home will not sell for any more than it costs to haul away an old one, build and install a new one, and closing costs and commissions.

Most important to remember

A few things that should be kept in mind while going through this process:

A new Mobile Home is going to be worth more than a complete renovation 95% of the time.

Do your homework – ask questions, get qualifed inspections done, check with the Park.

http://www.free-mobile-home-info.com/mobile-home-renovation.html

You just had your new manufactured home inspected, and the inspector found “reversed polarity” at several electrical outlets some amateur had added. You knew you need to fix this, but what is that reversed polarity stuff?

Electricity flows through wires like water through a hose. Pressure pushes water through a hose; energy pushes electricity through a wire. Each fixture must have an “electricity in” (hot wire) and an “electricity out” (neutral wire).

For safety reasons, the hot and neutral wires should never be reversed — if they are, that’s reversed polarity. A modern lamp has a plug with one wide and one narrow blade so it can only be plugged into the outlet one way. This ensures proper polarity.

Suppose you plug a lamp into an outlet with reversed polarity. Electricity enters from the metal ring around the bulb. The switch is then on the neutral line. When the lamp is turned off, the metal ring around the bulb is still electrified. If you touch the ring, you could get a shock.

Why? Even with the power switch off, you can still get a shack from the ring around the bulb because you are switching the neutral line, not the power line.