Manufactured Home Plumbing | Water Line Repair Fort Worth
Manufactured home plumbing is typically quite different than a site built home. For one thing, it comes through the floor rather than the walls. In addition, it can be difficult to work beneath the mobile home. An additional reason it is different is the fact that faucets, drains and fixtures such as the tub, for example aren’t standard. These are the reasons a number of plumbers won’t work on mobile homes, and especially when it comes to water line repair in Fort Worth.
In the 1980’s and ’90s, mobile homes were primarily plumbed with polybutylene pipe. The fittings of polybutylene proved to be faulty, leading to severe damage to mobile homes, and a class action lawsuit. Since then, polybutylene is no longer manufactured. Mobile home manufacturers have typically selected the most cost effective materials possible, to enable manufactured housing to be affordable.
Today’s manufactured homes continue to offer affordable housing. Providing it is a challenge for the industry with the rising cost of building materials. Due to this, the industry is more likely to try new products than the heavily regulated site built homes industry.
As a result, the manufactured homes industry has shifted to PEX plumbing. PEX offers advantages for all homes, and an additional benefit for mobile homes. The flexible nature of PEX means less likelihood of a broken or disconnected water line occurring during transportation, and therefore a reduced chance of a leak or the need for water line repair in Fort Worth when delivered and set up on the purchaser’s site.
Today, PEX piping is fast becoming a standard in the manufactured home industry, and in conventionally built houses. PEX has few disadvantages, it can’t be installed outside and it requires a special crimping tool.
A large number of manufactured homes still contain polybutylene, and water line repair in Fort Worth is still necessary as a result. With polybutylene parts no longer available, repairs are made using PEX utilizing a special adapter. However, homeowner’s with polybutylene in their homes should consider replacement before extensive damage can occur.
Replacing a hot water heater in a mobile home typically require careful measuring as they are often located in a closet or enclosed area. The new federal regulations that just went into effect may create further the problem of a comparative water heater to the existing one no longer fitting into the space. New water heaters will be up to 2 inches taller and wider, and may not fit into the existing space. If this occurs the homeowner’s options will be to enlarge the space and/or its opening; relocation of the water heater; purchase of a smaller water heater; or purchase of a tankless water heater. Your Benjamin Franklin plumber in Fort Worth can assist you in selecting the best option for your budget.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing offers licensed plumbers providing mobile home plumbing services. When routine water leaks are an issue, or if you know your manufactured home has polybutylene pipe and requires frequent water line repair in Fort Worth, we will be glad to provide you with an estimate for the installation of safe, reliable plumbing.
You can trust Benjamin Franklin Plumbing for reliable plumbing services. Our plumbers are known for their expertise and commitment to quality service and satisfied customers. We provide a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all our plumbing services which include water line repair in Fort Worth, installation, repair and more. Our dedicated plumbers serve Arlington, Fort Worth and the surrounding areas, providing superior plumbing services for residential and commercial plumbing, which includes manufactured home plumbing services. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is a member of the BBB with an A+ rating.