Mobile Home Water Heater Maintenance and Repair Services in WA, OR, Northern & Southern CA
Does Your Mobile Home Water Heater Need Repair or Replacement?
No hot water!
Hot water lasts only 5-10 minutes
Fluctuating water temperatures
Hot water is scalding
Hot water is colored or rusty
Hot water contains sediments
Hot water smells bad
Your hot water bill is abnormally high
Makes strange noises
You see water pooled at the bottom of the unit
You see water leaking out
Error codes or warning lights
Reset hot water temperature, to no effect
You hear odd noises
Pilot light does not stay lit, or keeps on popping the breaker.
Replacing a water heater in a mobile home comes with unique challenges and considerations that differ from a standard residential home installation. Here’s what makes it different:
Mobile Homes require a HUD Compliant water heater
(The Department of Housing and Urban Development). These water heaters contain a sealed combustion chamber preventing gas leaks, are designed for confined spaces, and meet specific venting requirements. Installing a regular residential water heater in a mobile home is illegal in most jurisdictions. Still thinking of installing a regular residential water heater in a mobile home, and not letting the government know about it? If that rogue water heater leads to an accident, the insurance company may not pay out.
Special Venting Requirements for Gas Water Heaters
Smaller Space & Clearance Issues
Mobile homes have smaller utility closets or compartments for water heaters, limiting the size of the tank. Standard water heaters may not fit. The clearance around the water heater for heat dissipation may not meet code.
Access Panel Requirements
Different Earthquake Requirements
Wiring for Electric Water Heaters
Mobile homes often have a 30-amp breaker and smaller gauge wiring (we’ve seen mobile homes as low as 20-25 map breakers). Standard electric water heaters require higher amperage, which overload mobile home breakers. A mobile home rated electric water heater designed for low-power draw is required.
Drain Pan Requirement
Mobile home water heaters are usually installed in closets with little floor drainage, where a leak can cause significant damage to the subfloor. Drain pans are needed, with a pipe routed to the outside of the home.
Relocation Restrictions
Some folks want to use the occasion of replacing a new water heater as a reason for a minor renovation. However, if the old water heater was installed in a tight closet or hallway, moving it may violate code. Moving a mobile home water heater to another area, such as bedroom or living room, causes venting and clearance violations.
Permits & Inspections
A water tank replacement requires an inspection not through the city or county, but at the state level, through the Department of Labor and Industry. This is because of the strict HUD safety requirements. No surprise, navigating state level bureaucracy is its own specialty. Thinking of skipping? Then you may be voiding your insurance coverage.
Weight Consideration for Subfloors
Mobile home subfloors are typically made of particleboard, plywood, or OSB, which may sag under heavy loads. Installing a larger or heavier water heater opens the location to floor damage.
Gas Line Connections For Gas Heaters
Mobile homes typically use smaller gas lines with lower pressure. Standard water heaters require more gas volume than the mobile home supply line can deliver. Without the right sizing, the water never reaches hot.
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