Polybutylene Gray Pipe
Mobile homes Manufactured homes for years were plumbed with a gray flexible plastic water pipe called polybutylene potable water line or PB. There has been controversy over polybutylene plastic line and lawsuits. The biggest problem is not the PB plastic pipe, which over time can break down PB and cause mobile home plumbing leaks, but the mobile home plumbing crimp type clamps that are used at tees, elbows or couplings on poly pipes that will over time tend to spread open and cause leaks. No glues work on polybutylene PB water line. There are some easy fixes for this. There are compression tees elbows and couplings that will install in place of the mobile home plumbing tee elbow or coupling that is leaking. These can be found at almost any DIY, hardware and mobile home manufactured home plumbing supply stores or click here. PEX and Sharkbite are the best selling brands. They will adapt CPVC to PB poly to PEX or Copper, but will not work with PVC because of a difference in diameter. They will also let you adapt between different sizes of PB. They work well and are simple to use.
Changing Kitchen Sinks
Kitchen sinks come in 6", 7" and 8" depths. To change to a deeper sink will usually involve shortening the down tube that goes to the trap and into the wall. Sometimes it's not quite that easy, you may also have to enlarge the cut out in the counter top. This is most easily done with a jig saw. You can get drain waste kits of which there are two kinds, end waste and center waste for under $10 at almost any home improvement store. These will be either an 1 1/4" or 1 1/2" diameter,match what you have now. These are things that you can do if you are patient, follow the instructions and above all be SAFE.
Low Water Pressure
Water coming out of the your faucets slow? Take the aerator of the end of the faucet and check for obstructions. I find this problem especially where homes are on a well, but will also occur on a public water system. Take the aerator apart and clean it well. You will see a piece in there that is usually white in color with a lot of little holes in it, this is the flow restrictor. This is to cut down on flow for conservation purposes. Some flow restrictors have a separate screen. I have seen some people leave the flow restrictor out and just put the screen back. This can save you a lot of mobile home plumbing repairs down the road.
Water Leak Detection
One fast way to determine if you have any leaks in your mobile home plumbing or manufactured home plumbing is to make sure that all the water in the mobile home manufactured home is off, faucets etc. and check for drips. Look at your meter if you are connected to a public utility. There is usually a small hand on the meter. Watch this hand for any movement. If it moves there may be a mobile home plumbing leak. To find this small hand if it is not obvious have someone flush a toilet while you watch the meter. When the toilet fills up the hand should stop. Leaky toilet flappers are a big culprit in water use, if the toilet seems to flush by itself or constantly refilling that is an indicator. If you are on a well watch the pressure gauge to see if the needle is dropping. If you don't a have gauge listen for the contact switch. If it clicks on and off occasionally with no water running in the house start checking for mobile home plumbing leaks.
Whole House Water Filters
I have enjoyed the water filters I added to my mobile homes and manufactured homes. I've got a whole house water filter and attached it to the incoming mobile home plumbing supply line from my water meter. My previous mobile home was on a well and the filter did a great job of keeping sand out of the faucet aerators and washing machine screen filters in the supply hoses. I selected a convenient spot under the house since you will have to access it occasionally to replace the filter. You can select different types of whole house water filters for your particular use. The filtration capabilities of sediments and contaminants for filters are measured in microns. The less the micron size the smaller the particles that it will filter. You can also get odor reducing, iron removing and etc. Be sure to get the mobile home plumbing couplings, male and female adapters and other hardware to complete the plumbing job. Whole house filters are not expensive and can save you plumbing problems.
Wash Machine Tip
Leave the lid open on the wash machine when not in use to help deter the onset of rust in your wash tub and lid area. Be sure to check the hoses at least every few months for swelling or cracks this could help avoid a flooded home. If possible turn the off the valves when not in use.
Pipe Cleaner and Glue
One problem I find over and over in mobile home plumbing repair is the fact that pipe cleaner was not used during the install or repair when pvc, cpvc or abs plastic pipes were connected to couplings, elbows or tees. Be sure to clean the connections with the proper cleaner and use the proper glue for the type of mobile home plumbing pipe you are using. Glues are not used on copper, pex or PB.
Mobile Home Plumbing Questions or comments? Please feel free to contact me.
Mobile Home Plumbing Repair Manufactured Home Plumbing Repair Water Leaks Polybutylene Gray Plastic Pipe CPVC PB PEX Copper PVC Water Filters Faucets Sinks Tubs Showers Toilets How to Mobile Home Plumbing Repair DIY