Unless both your home and addition are on frostline footings, they probably shift independently. If you're having trouble keeping the gap sealed where the addition meets the home, you'll enjoy this tip.

1. Screw a 1x6 board (A) to the home.

2. Rip the 1x4 board (B) so its only 3.25" wide. The ripped edge should be a 10-15 degree bevel (E).

3. Predrill screw holes (C) through the width of board B.

4. Apply weatherstripping (D) on the inside edge of board B.

5. Butt board B up against board A. The weatherstripping (D) should be against the addition, and the beveled edge butted so you don't notice the bevel (E).

6. Drive 4" screws (C) through the predrilled holes in board B into board A. As you tighten the screws, the bevel (E) will pull board B towards the addition, compressing the weatherstripping (D).

7. Caulk the butt (E) and along all edges of board A.

This design allows your addition and home to shift independently, yet the gap between the home and addition stay sealed because board B is attached to board A and not the addition.

Mark Bower owns Aberdeen Mobile Home Repair and is the author of "The Manual for Manufactured/Mobile Home Repair and Upgrade" available on this website.

The Manual for
Manufactured Home Repair & Upgrade

Every winter my roof leaked around the swamp cooler. We even had a couple mobile home repairmen out to seal it. Nothing worked and this went on for 5 years, said Maureen of Elko, Nevada. Then last summer I ordered The Manual and it suggested I use neoprene to seal the leak. Since then Ive had no leaks at all!

Maureen is referring to The Manual for Manufactured/Mobile Home Repair and Upgrade by Mark Bower. Most just dub it The Manual. Bower owns and operates Aberdeen Mobile Home Repair in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Maureen isnt alone. Hundreds of others have written to Bower sharing similar stories of how The Manual has solved their problems. Esther of St. Louis, Missouri, writes, We had squeaky floors in the living room and without The Manual, I would have had my husband tear out the floors and put in new ones. What a lifesaver!

Bower enjoys the letters he receives regarding his manual. I wrote this manual from experience, says Bower. Im not just some guy with his feet up on the desk Im out in the field every day doing what I write.

Tom of Lansing, Michigan, followed the simple instructions on installing a shut-off valve and saved $75 on a service call. Mary of Churdan, Iowa, writes to say she uses the manual to keep the repair guys she hires honest, When I had my home releveled, I sent two different contractors packing because I knew they werent doing the job right. This manual has literally saved me hundreds of dollars!

Bower has updated his manual . More information was added regarding additions and porches. We added details on attaching porches so they dont leak even if they shift with the seasons. says Bower. With high energy prices now upon us, Bower says hes also included a section on building a solar heating panel. Find an old sliding glass door and you can build one for under $100, says Bower who built two panels for his own 1800 square foot manufactured home. Youd be surprised at how much heat they create when the sun is shining.

David of Lake McConaughy, Nebraska, says The Manual should be called, The Mobile Home Bible. Dave writes, I wish I had your manual when we had our 1965 Star. It would have saved me WEEKS of work!

Vicki of Ocala, Florida, bought Bowers manual because it had instructions for installing a metal roofover. My son and husband had the roof up in 2 days from start to finish, says Vicki. The 4 inch overhang is awesome no more water running down the siding. Great roof, great instructions, I love it!

The Manual also helped Pam from Duluth, Minnesota, replace her skirting and repair her underbelly. It gave me the courage to tackle these projects, writes Pam. I saved a lot of money by being able to do it myself.

Bower says many manufactured home owners are do-it-yourselfers, and hes glad to be able to provide them a tool, The Manual, to help them do more.

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Get The Manual Now!

Mark Bower can be reached at info@mobilehomerepair.com

Manufactured Housing Repair On-Line

The MH Parts Store On-Line   MH Parts may not be very pretty... but when you need them you just can't do with out them. Don't run all over town to assemble the things you need for that home renovation or repair. Order from our on-line parts store. Everything you need is here from doors, windows, screens, plumbing and electric parts, bath and kitchen fixtures, roof and ceiling components, and more.... even set-up materials, The Part Store's Owner/Managers, keep it simple, they just provide you with the best possible products available.

The Manual for Manufactured Home Repair & Upgrade   If your looking for a book that covers all facets of manufactured home repair, you've found it! This is the only book of its type, available to the public, that we have been able to find. As you would expect from the title, The repair and upgrade techniques described in this manual are specific to manufactured homes. This book will answer almost every question on manufactured home repair that we have ever heard. Not only does this book show you how to repair and maintain your home, but also great methods for upgrading it.

The Manufactured Home Repair & Renovation Forum   An open discussion group where all are welcome to participate. No registration necessary! Discussion threads covering a wide range of questions, answers, and relating of personal experiences involving MH Repairs. Moderated by Tracy L. Mason of MB-Quality Contractors, from Greeley, CO. Ask our experienced manufactured home repair and renovation contractor about your home repair needs! Basic home fix-it techniques to trade secrets.

Advanced Foundation Systems   Designed and engineered for manufactued homes, These foundation systems add a high level of strutural stability and have proven most cost-effective for the manufactured home, buyer. Advanced Foundation Systems meet or exceed industry standards, and have been proven safer under adverse conditions. Advanced Foundation Systems offer you the best foundation technology available for your manufactured home...plus added safety and stability...at a lower cost.

Finance Your MH Renovation/Repair   There are many loan programs available to MH Owners. Secure the money you need to renovate, upgrade, or even expand your MH. One stop shopping. select your loan preferences and we will forward your request for loan information to as many as a dozen participating manufactured housing finance offices.

Skirting For The 21 Century Manufactured Home   System-1 is what skirting should be- 100% solid concrete. System-1 is not an imitation or a look alike it is the original concrete skirting system that resists the elements from the summer heat of Texas to the harsh winters of Minnesota. System-1 is built to last and is designed to stay put for years of dependable service. Stop chasing your skirting down the street and look at just some of the benefits System-1 concrete skirting provides you.

5 Part Site Preparation & Home Installation DVD Video Series   We are proud to offer the most effective way ever to learn about the step by step process involved in properly installing a manufactured home; A new five-part video series with George Porter, the industry's most respected installation specialist. After viewing all five videos you will have what it takes to tackle your site preparation with confidence and peace of mind. Even if you're not planning on doing the work yourself, this information will help you understand the entire process. This will give you an edge when choosing sub-contractors and help you make sure the site preparation is done properly.

The Mobile Home Expert   The business of installing and servicing manufactured homes is rapidly moving away from the world of the one pick-up, one jack, local set up and repair guys and into the world of certified tradesmen, and licensed contractors. The modern manufactured home is greeted with stiff compliance codes regulating construction, warranty and installation. As more and more local agencies get involved in the inspection of installations it gets more and more difficult to know what the rules of the game are, especially if your operating in more than one jurisdiction. Consult with R.T. Bonney, who has participated in all phases of the industry over the past 30 Years He can provide solutions for the modern problems of operating most types of manufactured housing business.

Floor Repair Info Kit   includes a 25 minute VHS video about repairing the floor underneath your toilet, and a booklet on floor repair. Price:$25.95 - Shipping & Handling:$3.90

Painting and Texturing Paneled Walls   By following the steps in this 20 minute video, your paneled walls will look darn near like textured sheetrock. Works on both wood paneling and vinyl-covered paneling or sheetrock. Price:$19.95 Shipping & Handling:$3.90