 Leaky faucets, plugged drains and failing water heaters are normal wear and tear items in all homes. Manufactured homes have unique needs when it comes to plumbing. Accessibility, for example, is sometimes tricky depending on how the skirting was installed and whether the home is on a foundation. Unlike stick built houses water heaters typically are accessed from the outside of a mobile home. Depending on the age of the mobile home the plumbing lines and fixtures may have a shorter lifespan than in houses built onsite. While manufactured homes have improved dramatically over the years, the materials used in the construction tend to require more maintenance over the life of the house. If the house has been moved, things can loosen up or break. Water damage from a leaky pipe or fixture can end up costing thousands of dollars to replace flooring and insulation. Not all plumbers are licensed to make repairs in manufactured homes. Others prefer not to work on them at all. Finding a licensed plumber that is qualified and experienced in manufactured homes is vital to extending the life of your home. Finding one that responds quickly to a plumbing issue can be the difference between a minor repair and a major renovation. There is no such thing as a minor leak when it comes to plumbing. Leaks don't heal themselves and the longer it is put off, the more damage will occur.
Call Van Allen Plumbing now!  Let's face it, appliances in general just don't last like they used to. Water heaters, for example, have a life span of traditional gas or electric water heaters is about 10 years, give or take a couple of years either way depending on the demand for hot water in your home. If you buy a pre-owned home, check to see when the water heater was installed and calculate the likelihood of what the remaining life might be. It's a fact of home ownership that you will replace a water heater at some point. That being the case, it is helpful to know that many people are switching to a tankless water heater. Tankless heaters last about twice as long as traditional water heaters. That's because they only run when you are calling for hot water. Tankless water heaters do cost more upfront but the longer lifespan and the lower cost of energy eventually even out that additional outlay at the time of purchase. Another benefit for choosing tankless is the additional space you pick up in the mechanical room. And, who doesn't need more storage space? When shopping for the right tankless heater one should consider the typical volume of water that you might use at one time. For example, if you tend to wash clothes and run the dishwasher while you take a shower, you might need to beef up the model of tankless heater as there are some limits to the amount of flowage that can be heated. Discuss your usage habits with your installer before choosing the right model to avoid being disappointed after the sale
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