By Lisa Gonzalez
One of the most important parts of a mobile is the underside. Repairing the underside of a mobile home is much easier than replacement, but when repair is not an option, we look for the trusty helper called polyethylene.
Polyethylene is a covering that has been used on late model mobile homes manufactured in the 1980s to present. It’s a cost effective product, and has saved lots of home owners some much needed cash.
If you’ve never replaced or repaired the underside of a mobile home, we’ll show you how.
What is the Underside of a Mobile Home?
The underside of the mobile is just that, the underneath. Lots of people call the underside by different names like: underbelly, belly board, sheeting, bottom wrap, belly, barrier, bottom board, belly wrap, or closure paper. In actuality, all of those names above are used to describe the underside or the coverings used to seal the underside.
Why is the Underside of a Mobile Home Important?
The mobile home underside is important because it protects the insulation, prevents moisture from seeping in, and it also keeps out unwanted pests. Pests can wreak havoc on a mobile home.
Rats, ants, fleas, ticks, and other pesky critters, not to mention termites, can find their way into mobile homes, costing homeowners thousands of dollars down the road.
Inspecting the Underside of a Mobile Home
When inspecting the underside, look for holes, rips, or tears in the covering and if you notice any openings, look inside. Look at the insulation to see if there are any signs of rodents, insects or water/moisture damage.
The underside of the mobile home should be inspected once every three months or after severe weather, especially if the mobile home does not have a foundation protecting the underside or underpinning/skirting.
Repairing the Underside of a Mobile Home Using Polyethylene
Because polyethylene is a thin, tarp-like material and is very flexible, it’s easy to patch. If the underside of the mobile home has a few holes, a rip or two and nothing major, patching polyethylene is the easiest repair option instead of replacement.
To patch imperfections in polyethylene you’ll need a compatible tape. One of the most popular brands/types of tape used today to repair polyethylene belly wraps is called Flex Mend tape.
If you can peel and stick a band-aid, you can use Flex Mend. Flex Mend currently meets all mobile home requirements. It has a solid coating of specifically formulated adhesive and a simple paper release liner, and when used, the repair is permanent.
First, clean the area around the hole/rip intended for repair. It’s a good idea to stuff a little extra insulation into the hole/rip. Next, cut a strip of Flex Mend tape that’s about an inch longer than the hole/rip being repaired. Remove the paper backing and apply. Lastly, apply heat to the tape covering the area using a blow dryer, a bulb from a work light or a heat gun for a couple of minutes while rubbing the tape to bond. (Do not overheat.)
Replacing the Underside of a Mobile Home Using Polyethylene
There are only two reasons why replacing polyethylene is more difficult than repairing polyethylene: 1) There’s limited working room under the mobile home, and 2) Pipes, ductwork, etc. tend to hang down, making the job a little tedious.
- Most people see existing belly wrap on the underside of other mobile homes and notice that the polyethylene seems to drape over the I-beams with a little sage between each. Most often it’s not possible to feed the polyethylene over the I-beams, and working in between the beam is sometimes the only choice.
- It’s best to start at the rim joist, the outermost edge. Wrap the polyethylene in a lathe strip and carefully tack the polyethylene up using a nail or a screw. (Tip: An air gun saves time.)
- If you’re working beside a main I-beam, it’s easier to simply attach the lathe to the floor joists because the top of the beams are flat against them.
- Unhooking as many items as possible, like sewer pipes, waterlines, etc., is the best bet for a neater, longer lasting job. Carefully cut around items that cannot be removed.
- Contrary to what some say, beware stuffing insulation into floor joists because rather than prevent moisture, you could be trapping it and the floors will rot. (Remember: To keep pipes optimal, air must flow and not be shut out.)
- It’s best to attach insulation (paper back) to the polyethylene using plain silicone.
In essence, replacing the underside with new polyethylene for the beginner is possibly an all day job. It’s best to be aware of what you’re dealing with first.
Crawling under your mobile home, evaluating the parts that can be removed, realizing the parts that may cause some trouble and checking the space between the floor joists and the I-beams are worth taking the time to check.
When a mobile home owner is familiar with the dwelling, the job goes much smoother. The first time is the hardest, but once a mobile home owner completes a polyethylene replacement, the next time will be a piece of cake.
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