Category: Interior Projects

Living in a mobile home offers a unique lifestyle, but when winter brings its bitterly cold temperatures, it can also bring a series of challenges, especially to your plumbing. General Supply Inc., understands the impact of frigid weather on mobile homes and the common problem it brings—freezing pipes. In this comprehensive blog, we’ll explore DIY troubleshooting and fixes for plumbing issues in mobile homes, with a particular focus on the notorious challenge of freezing pipes.

Understanding Freezing Pipes in Mobile Homes

Mobile homes, with their exposed plumbing and often lighter insulation, are susceptible to freezing pipes in harsh winter conditions. When water inside the pipes freezes, it expands, creating pressure that can lead to pipe bursts and significant water and structure damage. Recognizing the signs and taking prompt action is essential to avoid costly repairs.

Signs of Frozen Pipes

• Reduced or no water flow from faucets.
• Unusual odors indicate water flow issues.
• Frost or bulging on visible pipes.

Thawing Frozen Pipes: A DIY Approach

When faced with frozen pipes, quick and safe action is necessary to prevent further damage. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to thaw frozen pipes in your mobile home:

• Locate the frozen part of the pipe, often indicated by visible frost or bulging
• Shut off the main water supply to prevent additional water from entering the frozen section
• Relieve pressure by opening the affected faucet
• Safely thaw the pipe using a hairdryer, heat lamp, or electric heating pad. Begin at the faucet end and work towards the frozen section, avoiding open flames

Preventive Measures: Guarding Against Freezing Pipes

Preventing freezing pipes is the best approach to cold-weather plumbing issues in mobile homes. Consider these preventive measures:

• Insulate exposed pipes: Add insulation or heat tape to exposed pipes, especially those in crawl spaces and under the home
• Ensure skirting, doors, and windows are well-sealed to prevent cold air infiltration
• On exceptionally cold nights, allow faucets to drip slightly to keep water flowing
• Provide warm air circulation by keeping cabinet doors open if plumbing runs through them

In addition to addressing freezing pipes, empowering yourself with general plumbing know-how can contribute significantly to the overall well-being of your mobile home. Here are some DIY plumbing tips to keep your plumbing system in optimal condition: 

• Regularly inspect faucets and fixtures for leaks or signs of wear
• Replace worn-out washers or gaskets to prevent dripping
• Flush the water heater tank annually to remove sediment buildup
• Periodically inspect all visible pipes for signs of corrosion, rust, or leaks
• Follow a regular pumping schedule for your septic tank to avoid backups
• Keep a basic plumbing toolkit that includes a plunger, pipe wrench, and plumber’s tape for quick fixes
• Address minor leaks promptly with pipe sealant or epoxy putty
• Insulate outdoor faucets with faucet covers or foam sleeves
• Apply weatherstripping to doors and windows to prevent drafts
• Familiarize yourself with the location of the main water shut-off valve
• Clearly label individual shut-off valves for fixtures and appliances

Winter weather can be harsh on mobile home plumbing, but armed with the right knowledge and DIY solutions, you can safeguard your home against freezing temperatures. Take proactive measures to insulate pipes, address drafts, and keep the water flowing even in the coldest weather. By implementing these winter-ready and general DIY tips, you’ll ensure a cozy and leak-free mobile home all year round.

Don’t let choosing between new furnaces get you flustered! We know there are a lot of HVAC brands to choose from. That’s why, at General Supply Inc., our heating and cooling experts are happy to bring you our top 2 recommended HVAC brands for your mobile home!

General Supply Inc. has been a trusted name in Indiana heating and cooling manufactured homes for over 25 years, so fill up your cup of joe, grab a seat, and get to reading to find your best HVAC fit!

Heating and Cooling Systems We Recommend for Mobile and Manufactured Homes

Miller

Meet Miller, the reliable name in the heating and cooling game! Known for its tech smarts and solid performance, Miller HVAC systems make sure your mobile home stays comfortable all year round!

Why Miller is our jam for Heating and Cooling Systems:

• User-friendly tech for top-notch heating and cooling.
• No surprises here, Miller HVAC systems keep the comfort levels steady in your mobile home.
• Super easy to use and take care of, which means it’s a breeze for you!

Revolv

Say hello to Revolv, the specialist for manufactured homes! These guys are all about quality and making sure you’re one happy mobile homeowner with their efficient heating and cooling solutions.

Why Revolv Heating and Cooling Systems are our pick:

• Made-to-order solutions for manufactured homes
• Packed with high-quality parts for a reliable performance show.
• Bonus: They’ve got your back with some solid warranty options, which means extra peace of mind for you!

Repairing Your Heating and Cooling System

Winter is no time for your mobile home’s HVAC unit to go down, but if you think it might be on the fritz, here’s what to look out for:
Strange noises or funny smells coming from your HVAC unit
Inconsistent temperatures throughout your mobile home
Higher-than-usual energy bills
Cycling on and off

Whether you need a repair or replacement, General Supply Inc. is here for you!

Choosing the Right HVAC Unit for Your Manufactured Home

Look, we get it! Picking the right heating and cooling system for your mobile or manufactured home is a big deal.

At General Supply Inc, we’re all about Miller and Revolv. They each bring something special to the table, and our experienced HVAC team is ready to help you install the one that fits you.

General Supply Inc is here for all your HVAC needs! Call us today to chat about our Indiana furnace installation options.

Manufactured and mobile home owners deserve reliable heating and cooling. At General Supply Inc, we are passionate about your family feeling comfortable at home. Our goal at GSI is to make comfort as simple as pushing a button on your thermostat.

If your current HVAC system can’t keep up, it may be time for a new system or just a simple repair. To find out what your heating and cooling system needs to keep you comfortable, keep reading! If you’re in need of an AC repair, call the Central Indiana experts in manufactured home HVAC.

Indiana HVAC Unit Installation

The Indiana summer months are sweltering, and if your AC unit is in need of repair, your mobile home can get miserable, and fast! We understand the urgency of staying cool during the scorching Indiana summers, which is why our HVAC unit installation services are designed to be efficient and hassle-free. 

Our team of experts will work diligently to have your new unit up and running promptly, so you can enjoy the comfort you deserve.

Here are a few signs your HVAC unit might need a repair or replacement:

• Your AC is breaking down
• Your energy bills keep increasing
• Your HVAC system is 10+ years old
• Your unit is making hissing or clicking noises
• You are experiencing inconsistent temperatures throughout your home

Remember, when it comes to quick, reliable, HVAC unit installation, there is no better choice than General Supply Inc!

Indiana’s Top HVAC Service Provider

General Supply Inc is proud to be Indiana’s top HVAC service provider and #1 pick for HVAC installation! We have passionately served the state of Indiana since 1993 and have built a team of hoosiers who love their fellow citizens as their own.

General Supply’s team has a combined 100+ years of service experience within the manufactured housing industry, so you can feel confident knowing we manufactured homes are second nature to us!

We are committed to offering affordable HVAC services using on-site HVAC specialists, without compromising on quality. Whether you need a new installation, repairs, or regular maintenance, our cost-effective solutions and flexible financing options make it easier for you to get the HVAC services you require while staying within your budget.

Check out our HVAC financing options or call to schedule us to come out and assess your needs. Don’t let the heat get the best of you and your home—trust General Supply Inc for reliable HVAC unit installation and exceptional service in Indiana!

When it comes to air conditioning, sometimes what appears to be a big problem can be a simple and inexpensive fix. During the summer months when the humidity is high and the temperatures are soaring, it is not uncommon to have a capacitor fail in your outside condensing unit. Unfortunately, it will often fail at the worst time, leaving you without cool air in the summer heat. The good news is this is not an expensive part to replace. However, you should not attempt to replace it yourself. This is a repair best left to the professionals, so be sure to call an HVAC contractor to handle this service for you. There are many varieties of capacitors available, and it is crucial that yours is replaced with the correct model and specification

If your A/C unit fails to cool your home, there are some things you can do to troubleshoot that will save you time and money before calling a professional contractor.

1. Check your thermostat

Ensure your thermostat is set to cool and the fan is set to “on” or “auto”.  Make a note of what the temperature is in your home and what temperature your thermostat is set at for cooling.

2. Check your air filter

In most cases, your air filter will be in or near your furnace. Make sure that it is not excessively covered with dust, lint, or pet hair and that air is flowing back to your furnace. This is especially important in manufactured homes as they often do not have a return air system built into the home. With an electric furnace, the filters may be metal and sitting on top of your a-coil. This may be a good time to remove and wash that filter and then replace it back on your unit. With a gas furnace in your mobile home, the filter is most likely inside your furnace door. If it is dirty or clogged, now is a good time to remove and replace it. If you do not have a replacement filter handy, leave the dirty one off but get a replacement as soon as possible. Do not leave your furnace without a filter for more than a day.

3. Check your floor registers

Make sure all your floor registers are open and there are no restrictions for air moving through these registers.

4. Check your circuit breaker

Open your main electrical box and look for a double pole breaker that should be marked as A/C unit or compressor. A double pole breaker is two breakers tied together, usually 20 to 30 amps in size. Some older units could have an even larger breaker. If this breaker looks like it has been tripped, reset it by pulling the breaker all the way over to the off position and then returning it to the on position. Do not attempt to replace this breaker by yourself. If the breaker will not reset, call a licensed professional immediately.

5. Check your outside A/C or heat pump condenser

Look to see if the fan on your outside unit is moving and blowing warm air from your unit. Listen for the compressor inside your unit to see if you can hear it running. There will often be a data plate on the outside of the unit. Take a picture of it with your phone if you can or try to write down the model and serial number of the unit if it is available. Also, look for any ice build-up on your outside A/C unit. If the coil is covered with ice or you see excessive ice around the copper lines coming to your unit, turn the unit off right away. Call your HVAC professional and let them know that your unit has ice around it. This is usually an indication that your unit is low on refrigerant or that there is not enough air moving back to the furnace. The same applies if you see excessive ice around the a-coil located in your furnace cavity. Again, turn the A/C off immediately and call your professional. While you’re outside, check your outdoor A/C unit coils for any cottonwood, grass clippings, dust, or other debris. Hosing off these items can increase the performance of your A/C.

Taking these steps may bring your A/C or heat pump back on to the cool position. If it does, congratulate yourself on saving the cost of a house call and needless repair, not to mention getting a cooler home when you need it. If there is still an issue, contact a reputable HVAC service technician and provide them with the information you have gathered up from these notes. This will save you time and money by providing the technician with valuable information that will allow them to be better prepared to fix your A/C unit on the first call.

If your compressor is still not blowing cool air and your unit is less than seven years old, there is a good chance that the capacitor has failed. If so, your technician will have you up and running again in no time at all and at a cost that won’t break the bank. Don’t forget to schedule regular HVAC maintenance appointments, with spring and fall clean and checks, to keep your systems in top shape. If you are looking for a qualified technician but don’t know who to call, contact your rep at General Supply, and they will be glad to be of assistance.

If the A/C unit in your manufactured home is struggling to keep up with the summer heat, it may be time for a seasonal tune up. High temps can strain your A/C system leading to lowered energy efficiency and even system failure. With regular maintenance, you can identify and prevent any potential issues. Here’s three easy ways to tune up your A/C for the summer:

Change Air Filter

An air filter plays an important role in your modular or manufactured home by keeping dust and debris out of your HVAC system. Cleaning or replacing your air filter every one to three months prevents this debris from accumulating and circulating around your home. A fresh air filter also increases energy efficiency and maximizes clean air flow. If you have children or indoor pets in your home, it is even more important to stay on top of air filter replacements.

Clear Away Debris

With a central A/C system, clearing away debris from the outdoor condenser unit allows it to run efficiently in summer weather. A good rule of thumb is to keep any landscaping at least two feet away. This means trimming back any overgrown shrubs and trees that may be too close to your A/C unit. You’ll also want to clear away any old leaves, dirt, or other debris that may cause blockages. For a deeper clean, you can also clean the coils and fins in your unit when they get dirty (learn how here). 

Schedule Professional Maintenance

To give your A/C system an extra boost, a best practice is to schedule an HVAC tune up twice a year. For your A/C in the spring and your furnace in the fall, call your HVAC company to perform professional inspection and testing. The experts will check for any leaks, loose connections, and proper airflow to help maintain your system and locate any damage. Investing in professional maintenance at regular intervals will ensure the long-term health of your A/C system, saving you in repair or replacement costs down the road.

With regular maintenance, you can keep your A/C system running smoothly so you can stay comfortable and cool inside during the summer months. The time you spend on a quick tune up now will help you prevent an unexpected A/C emergency when it gives out on a hot summer day. If your mobile or manufactured home A/C system does need repair or replacements, you can find all the parts you need here at General Supply, Inc.