Spring maintenance should discover problems without creating new ones. Start outside at ground level, document what you see, and call the appropriate qualified professional before climbing, entering a hazardous crawlspace, opening electrical or gas equipment, disturbing structural supports, or handling contamination.
Stop and get help for these conditions
- gas odor, carbon-monoxide alarm, burned wiring, sparking, or water near electricity;
- roof, ceiling, floor, deck, steps, or support that feels unstable;
- standing water, sewage, chemicals, fire residue, extensive mold, or heavy animal waste;
- shifted blocks, piers, anchors, frame members, marriage line, or additions;
- damaged furnace, flue, water heater, electrical panel, service mast, HVAC refrigerant system, well, or septic system.
Ground-level exterior walkaround
- Roof and trim: use binoculars or camera zoom to look for missing material, open seams, loose edge metal, debris, sagging, stains, and damaged penetrations. Do not walk the roof.
- Drainage: confirm gutters, downspouts, ditches, and grade direct water away without erosion or discharge beneath the home.
- Siding and openings: look for impact damage, loose panels, failed joints, broken windows, and water entry. Use compatible manufacturer-specified sealants rather than covering drainage paths.
- Skirting: check panels, attachment, vents, access doors, animal entry, and contact with grade. Do not block required ventilation or equipment access.
- Steps, ramps, decks, and rails: check movement, rot, corrosion, settlement, guards, lighting, and trip hazards. Restrict access if unstable.
- Utilities: inspect only visible exterior components for damage. Keep required clearances around meters, HVAC equipment, flues, dryer exhaust, and vents.
Interior moisture and safety check
- look and smell for new stains, peeling finishes, musty odor, swollen flooring, soft spots, condensation, or damp cabinets;
- check accessible fixture and appliance connections for drips without dismantling plumbing;
- test smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms using their buttons and follow each manufacturer’s replacement and battery instructions;
- verify doors and windows open for emergency egress and that locks and steps operate safely;
- replace the HVAC filter only with the size and type permitted by the equipment manufacturer; schedule service for noise, odor, poor airflow, icing, water, damaged wiring, or combustion concerns.
Under-home inspection: exterior observations first
From a safe opening, look for sagging belly material, fallen insulation, water, animal entry, damaged ducts, or leaking pipes. Do not crawl under the home when clearance, lighting, supports, electrical, water, animals, mold, sewage, or access is unsafe. OSHA notes that crawlspaces can contain physical and atmospheric hazards requiring planning and protective measures.
Use the underbelly guide to decide whether a small dry tear is even a patch candidate. Plumbing, duct, wiring, moisture, pest, and structural causes come first.
Review records once a year
- insurance coverage, occupancy status, deductibles, and documentation requirements;
- property taxes, exemptions, manufactured-home title or conversion record, deed, liens, and owner names;
- service records, permits, warranties, serial numbers, HUD labels, data plate, and appliance manuals;
- well, septic, pest, HVAC, roof, and safety-equipment professional schedules based on actual system instructions.
Printable priority order
| Priority | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. Life safety | Gas, CO, fire, electrical, structural, sewage, contaminated water, and unstable access. |
| 2. Active water | Roof, plumbing, drainage, HVAC condensate, and ground water; stop the source and dry safely. |
| 3. Building systems | Supports, underbelly, ducts, insulation, skirting, utilities, steps, and egress. |
| 4. Preventive service | Follow equipment, alarm, well, septic, and manufacturer schedules. |
| 5. Cosmetic work | Paint, cleaning, landscaping, and appearance after safety and moisture are controlled. |
Avoid fixed time and savings promises
A safe inspection may take minutes at one home and require several professionals at another. Product costs, service prices, equipment life, and savings change. Use current local written quotes and the actual manuals; do not let a checklist pressure you onto a roof or into a crawlspace.
Sources and review note
- OSHA: Crawlspace and confined-space questions
- EPA: Mold, Moisture and Your Home
- HUD: Manufactured Housing Programs
Reviewed August 25, 2026. This checklist is general observation guidance, not permission to perform roofing, structural, electrical, gas, HVAC, plumbing, septic, remediation, or other regulated work.
Repairs bigger than you want to take on?
If the manufactured home will sell with land you own, Roger can evaluate the property as-is. An inquiry is not an offer, and condition, records, and closing requirements still control the decision.