This article provides a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to run a sewer line on a mobile home, ensuring proper drainage and waste disposal. Mobile home plumbing is different from traditional homes, and understanding these differences is crucial for mobile homeowners. To fix a water leak under a mobile home, you will need a few tools and materials, depending on the nature of the repair.
A Drain-Waste System flushes away used wastewater, and drain lines also need healthy pipe and tight fittings that can carry wastewater to the sewer lines or septic tank. There are three main reasons that a mobile home’s sewer line might back up: poorly installed drain lines, if the sewage line connected to your mobile home is frozen, or if the pipe in the ground is the pipe in the ground.
To fix a sewer line backup in mobile homes, follow these steps:
Call your mobile home park’s maintenance to alert them of the problem. They may have a dedicated plumber who can come. If the pipe attached to your home is the issue, you (and your insurance) would normally be responsible for it. If it is the pipe in the ground, you may need to call a plumber to help you find and fix leaks in your pipes.
Check the drain opening with a vinegar and baking soda mixture and let it sit for 20 minutes before pouring hot water down the drain.
If the leak is still present, call a plumber to help you find and fix the leaks in your pipes.
If the leak is moderately successful, try using a sump pump to drain the water out. However, it is important to note that a leak in your plumbing, whether hidden or not, needs expert repairs.
📹 SEWER LINE REPAIR UNDER MOBILE HOME
Join me today as we brave a sewer repair under a mobile home.
What is the best material for mobile home underbelly?
The black material enclosing the base of a mobile home, known as bottom board, belly board, or paper, is used to prevent moisture infiltration. It is typically asphalt-impregnated fiberboard, cloth, heavy tar paper, or woven polyethylene. The belly wrap, located between the home’s frame and steel chassis, protects the home from moisture and critters and helps with energy efficiency. Older mobile homes may need to replace the belly wrap due to improved materials and potential tears.
What kind of plumbing pipe is used in mobile homes?
Site-built homes typically use copper for incoming water, but manufactured homes use CPVC and PEX for hot and cold water lines. These materials may last as long as copper lines used for site-built homes. Plastic pipes are cheaper and easier to install, while PVC is used for drain lines and some supply lines. Polybutylene pipe, used in manufactured homes between the 1970s and 1990s, is no longer available due to wear and leaks caused by bleach. If you have a polybutylene pipe in your mobile home, consider repiping it.
Drain pipes carry waste water out of your home, typically using PVC, chromed brass, or cast iron. PVC is likely the chosen material due to its ease of installation and lower cost compared to metal pipes. These materials are similar to those used in site-built homes, making drain pipes a common factor between the two.
What is the difference between a drain pipe and a drain line?
Main drains are central pipes that carry wastewater away from a property, located beneath it. They are larger in diameter than sewer lines, as they handle a larger volume of wastewater. Main drains collect all wastewater from a home or building and direct it to the sewer system or septic tank. Sewer lines connect the main drain to the municipal sewer system or septic tank, ensuring the final disposal of wastewater.
How to repair the underside of a mobile home?
In order to repair a mobile home belly board, it is first necessary to assess the damage. This can be done by crawling under the home. Once this has been done, a frame can be built using a smaller board as a nailing surface. The patch can then be cut and the hole covered.
Should you put plastic on the ground under a mobile home?
Vapor barriers are essential for risk prevention and provide an extra lining between living spaces and the ground beneath a mobile home. Skipping out on installing one can lead to several avoidable issues.
High energy bills: Vapor barriers are the last line of defense before elements can get to important components like insulation and flooring. If the barrier is missing or has holes, insulation is compromised, causing loss of heat retention capabilities in winter and cold air from air conditioning in summer. This results in less efficiency and increased power costs.
Sagging, uneven floors: Lacking a plastic vapor barrier underneath a mobile home increases moisture exposure, leading to mold and mildew growth. This growth can eat away at floors, causing sagging and uneven floors, which are both unpleasant and a potential falling hazard for guests and occupants. Products like Americover’s Pro Crawl Anti-Mold Vapor Barrier with MPT™ can help mitigate this issue and prevent mold exposure from underneath the home.
What is the easiest way to clear a blockage in the sewer line?
To clean clogged sewer lines, mix vinegar and baking soda, which dissolve grease and dirt easily. Vinegar neutralizes acidic odor molecules and deodorizes drain lines. Pour the mixture into the blocked sewer drain and flush with hot water after an hour. A wet and dry vacuum can be used to clear clogged sewer lines, but cover the vent and seal the drain line. Set the vacuum settings to liquids and let it draw the pipe contents into a bag. If the bag doesn’t work, try unclogging it with a hanger.
How do I fix a leaky pipe without replacing it?
To fix a leak in a copper pipe without replacing it, try applying plumber’s epoxy putty, letting it dry, then applying pipe repair tape. Use a pipe repair clamp to stop water flow, and use a pipe joint compound or solder to seal small gaps. Consult a professional plumber for permanent repairs. To stop a water leak under pressure, use a pipe joint compound or solder. However, it’s best to consult a professional plumber for a permanent solution.
What size is the drain pipe under a mobile home?
A notable distinction exists between the plumbing practices employed in manufactured and site-built homes. In the case of the latter, 4″ pipes are typically utilized for drainage and venting, whereas in manufactured homes, smaller 3″ pipes are commonly used. This has resulted in a negative perception among skilled trade professionals, such as plumbers and electricians, due to a combination of misconceptions and factual information. One pervasive myth is that drain-waste lines in manufactured homes lack adequate venting, which is essential for optimal functionality and the prevention of airlock formation.
How do you unclog a main sewer line in a mobile home?
To unclog a clogged pipe in your mobile home, use a plumber’s snake. Drop the coiled end into the exit hole, extend it until you reach the clog, and rotate the snake clockwise until the resistance gives way. This will help prevent foul odors and clogged pipes from making your mobile home unlivable. Mobile home plumbing is different from house plumbing and has a higher frequency of clogging issues. To unclog your mobile home pipes, you will need the following tools and supplies:
By understanding your mobile home’s plumbing system, you can prevent foul odors and ensure a fresh and safe living environment.
How do you know if you have a broken sewer line under your house?
A broken sewer line can cause a noticeable sewage smell, which is a good indicator of a leak. A pungent, sewage-like smell is also a sign of a sewer line break. A suddenly greener or soggy lawn, which may be a sign of a broken sewer line, may also indicate a broken sewer line. Sewage acts as a fertilizer, creating a healthier lawn. Additionally, sewage seeping upward into the lawn can create a soggy mess.
How do I fix a leaky sewer pipe under my house?
Sewer repair technicians use heavy machinery to excavate the area around a sewer line for damage like tree root penetration and severe breaks. They survey the area, mark underground utilities, and install traffic control devices if needed. They excavate trenches along the sewer line path using backhoes or excavators, ensuring safety when digging deeper than 4 feet. The old pipe sections are disconnected and lifted using clamping devices and chains.
New sewer pipes are laid in sections and sloped for proper drainage, fused or sealed together. The lateral pipes from the home to the new sewer main are connected using flexible couplings, and maintenance holes are installed. The trenches are backfilled with gravel and compacted, and the surface is patched or repaved. Final video inspections check for proper installation and drainage flow before activating the new system. Although time-consuming, disruptive to landscaping, and expensive, the results will last as long as the new pipe material lasts, and proper planning can minimize this disruption.
📹 Mobile Home Drain System
In this video I will show you how a mobile home drain system works and how it drains down. Mobile home drains can be found …
I’m going to have to crawl under something even tighter and you have inspired me to stop procrastinating and do it even though it’s raining and disgusting and it’s awful. And I’m not getting paid. And I didn’t even have anything to do with clogging it up. But I love the person who owns the trailer and she doesn’t have anybody else.
Great article work. I’ve got a trailer that is similar underneath – except doublewide. Its a spider webbed, dusty, tight squeeze – without a camera. Nice that you could capture how you did all the work. Showed the tools you us, how you cut, measure and glue in a real live example. Its a bit complicated – but especially in such tightquarters. Bravo. Well done!
I’ve been doing this for almost 30 years. The tight spaces are the worst. As I get older and I work completely by myself now as I’m semi retired the only thing that is on my mind is what if something happened medical while way up under a place like where that sink was. They’d have to call the fire department I guess to get someone out in that situation. Horrible feeling. Stay safe my friend.
Oh fuck no. $175hr? Damnit you guys don’t get paid enough. As a flat rate mechanic, with a problem at my home(clog), I’ve decided to get YouTube certified before an attemt at a repair. Coming to find out, I’m terminated to an old sewer line, and need to connect to the new one. Brother I charge $100 hr, for automotive work, and honestly? You flat out couldn’t pay me enough to get under there with the fiberglass and who knows what else, and do shit like that for a living. Sir, I absolutely commend you for your efforts. I think the price should be higher in my opinion, but I like doing my own shit(might be literal) so this motivates me to stip being a pussy and get it done. I have more room, removable skirting and 50 degree weather. No excuses. Thanks for the post, you helped in a way I wouldn’t of thought, and this article doesn’t have anything to do with what I’m doing, but it still helped. I appreciate it Tim. Thanks again.
Credit where credit is due . Got to say Tim you the man ! Showing the facts and doing it the rite way sir ! Having similar issue, noticed water next to under penning. Definitely tight space and not easy combined with sewage water. Your article gives me hope to take on this job myself. Making it look easy, is a sure sighn of professionalism, doing it rite shows integrity . Thank You Sir
Wonderful instruction Tim! My issue is an intersection from the washer under my mobile home. I’m thinking I can get it done with using a Fernco rubber sleeve. Just slide it on then connect the broken pipe and tighten the hose clamps. Cover me, I’m goin in! I’m grateful that I’ve got more room under there than you had. Thank you for this. If I’m successful, I’ll have saved around $500.
First, may I say, as far as I’m concerned, guys who do what you do are true American heroes. 👍 🇺🇸 Question: I noticed at 5:57 the homeowner has gray polybutylene water supply pipes… “PB.” It’s been a while since the recall of that kind of piping. I have it in my 1986 Schult, too. Those 37-year-old PB pipes have never been in contact with chlorinated city water… I’ve always been on a well. I’ve never had a leak in the PB. Is it only a matter of time before they start springing leaks? Should I have them replaced with PEX soon? Thanks for your articles.
My husband can’t work do having triple bypass surgery. I don’t know how he did everything for us . I’m mowing, weeding eating, fixing plumbing and sewage pipes and water pipes and fixing my car and working and taking care of him . He’s getting so depressed and stressed out please pray. Only my income coming in and his medication cost and he’s a diabetic. I can’t do this on my own I need Jesus . Please keep us in your prayers. I don’t want him to know because he gets upset and hopeless
Worked warranty repair for Clayton Homes, My boss (at time) was well known in LA, MS, AL and Florida. In my opinion a mobile home Is not ideal for long term dwelling without having proper foundation. Also hauling a mobile home, sometimes two or three sections (for double and triple wides) down the highway isn’t ideal. Everytime a turn or impact happens, the mobile home shifts. Drivers go anywhere from 60 to 80 mph (when available) down the highway. Worst is when a blowout happens and driver “‘never noticed”. If the tire goes up it rips through bottom board and decking, could even go through drywall and create roof leak. A lot of research should be done before leasing or buying a mobile home. Consider Repo Homes, cheaper if you know the work, but foundation is vital.
Nice work. I plan on tapping into the existing drain under my mobile home and making a washing machine type p-trap & drain in what used to be the closet for the water heater. The plan is to have the drain lines for the water softener and flush lines for the tankless water heater dump into them. Your article helped me get my head around how I can put a T into the drainage system and use that rubber piece to join the two sides of the drain line.
Just go in with a good mask spay Black Flag spray starting from the back work your way back, leave for about 1 hour. You wont smell it afterwards but spiders and bugs dead. Go back in with broom wipe off all webs and get to work. I’ve worked in many of those black widow webs without spraying and never bit by one, they flee away if they see you before you touch them. $175 an hour is stupid even $100 is. Anyone can do this if you can get over your fears of bugs. That’s what they want you to be afraid of. Typical B.S.