We’ve all seen them: the ugly linoleum floors that are peeling up at the corners. Or the floors that squish as you walk across even though you’re not that heavy. Or the ones that are so warped and misshapen that just looking at them makes you seasick.
As a mobile home owner, you will likely find yourself needing to replace the flooring at some point. This kind of project is especially common to the owners of older mobile homes. At first glance, this might seem like a negative, but we really believe it’s all a matter of perspective. While replacing your flooring can definitely be a bit of a headache, it can also be a great opportunity to refresh and update your home!
If you are planning on replacing the flooring by yourself, it’s especially important for you to do your research ahead of time. In this article, we’ll walk you through six mistakes to avoid during this process. You’ll be ready to get started in no time.
#1 Waiting too long to replace your flooring
Knowing when it’s time to replace your mobile home flooring is really the first step. It is easy to look at peeling linoleum and decide it’s time for a change, but what about the subfloor? This is the rough, solid base flooring that is underneath the finished flooring. It is usually made from particle board, and doesn’t necessarily have to be replaced every time the finished flooring is replaced.
However, because it isn’t visible, it can hide the damage. This could mean that even if your finished flooring looks great, it may still need to be pulled up to get to the damaged subfloor. Make sure you do a thorough check to see whether there may be damage underneath your finished floor.
#2 Leaving damaged subfloor
You’re looking over your damaged subfloors and thinking, “It’s not that bad, right?” All you can think about is how much this is going to cost, and you’re hoping you can just leave the parts that look so-so. What could it hurt?
Even though it might not be the most exciting thing to drop your cash on, replacing damaged subfloors should not be considered optional. Most often, damage to subfloors comes from exposure to moisture, which means the particle board has probably started to disintegrate. This weakens the board and makes it more likely to fall apart at the least bit of moisture exposure down the road.
Additionally, if the subfloor is still even a little damp, or exposed to dampness, it could mold. This can cause serious health problems for the inhabitants of your mobile home. Not worth taking the chance!
#3 Choosing the wrong flooring
Before you settle on a product to purchase, make sure you do your research! There are so many flooring options available today. It may seem trendy and beautiful to put down the same flooring throughout your whole mobile home. However, it may not make sense to use the same flooring in the bathroom that you want to put in the bedroom.
Floors that are often exposed to water will need to be moisture resistant. But that probably won’t be necessary in the living room unless you’re the type to spill your morning coffee on the regular. We kid. But seriously. Putting down the wrong floor for the type of use it will get can mean another floor project in the near future. And who wants to spend a bunch of money for no reason?
#4 Skipping insulation
While you’ve already got your floors pulled up, you might as well take a look at what’s going on underneath. Even if you’re not replacing the subfloor, go ahead and pull up a piece to see what the insulation situation looks like. The insulation under the floor plays a huge part in the energy efficiency of your home. There’s no reason to skip this step when it could save money in the long run and keep you warmer when the frigid cold hits.
#5 Ignoring leaks in the plumbing
While you’re replacing that subflooring and checking out the insulation, go ahead and take a look at the plumbing. Another annoying step, we know. But skipping this one could cause big problems down the road. Even tiny leaks can quickly lead to damaged subflooring or mold, and you’ll be wishing you had just covered your bases and taken care of it.
#6 Forgetting to level
If you’ve never put down flooring before, this may be a new concept to you. Not all floors are even. Sometimes they slope or sink in spots, and that can be remedied by leveling out the subfloor before laying the finished floors.
Hint: It might not be your floors. Mobile homes frequently become unlevel due to the ground beneath them settling. Check this first before moving forward with leveling your subfloors.
Make no mistakes
And there you have it! Avoid these six mistakes and get your mobile home looking fresh and updated in no time.
Replacing your floors room by room while living in the home can present its own challenges. But it is possible! We know it’s a big project, but you’ll be so glad when you see how great your space looks with your beautiful new floors.