With cold weather upon us in Arizona, it is critical that you prepare your manufactured home for the winter season. Here is a short checklist of things you can do to winterize your home.

1. Don’t let your water lines freeze. Freezing water lines can lead to severe and expensive problems. Keep your water lines insulated with heat tape. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to apply the heat tape properly.

2. Keep critters out of your home by maintaining your home’s skirting. The most common way unwanted animals get into your home is through damages or holes in the skirting. Take a walk outside of your home to check that the skirting is free of any damage. Learn how to repair the skirting on your home here.

3. Insulation is key! The bottom portion of your home is where many important components of your home are located, including:  plumbing, wiring, HVAC, and venting. It is crucial to keep this area properly insulated to avoid  damage and prevent heat from escaping the home. Insulation will help lower your heating bill during the colder months.

4. Regularly replace filters in your home. This will help extend the life and power of your furnace. Filters should be changed every three to six months, and more frequently in the winter time. 

5. Properly seal all openings in your home. Make sure all doors and windows are properly sealed to reduce the chance of a leak or water damage inside of your home. Water damage can lead to mold and can be costly to repair.

Properly preparing for winter is important when you live in a manufactured home. Damage created by the winter weather can be expensive. Take the time to put this checklist to work and prepare before winter returns. You’ll thank us later!