How to Insulate Under a Mobile Home

Insulating the underside of a mobile home is the best method of efficient heating and cooling. This also is the best method to help protect the underside of the floor. While the instillation is not hard, it does require planning and at least a few hours to do properly. With the following steps you can have the underside of a mobile home guarded against the elements and outside critters. Here are the basic guidelines of how to insulate under a mobile home.

Things You'll Need

• Flashlight
• Insulation
• Staples or tacks
• Staple gun
• Silicone sealant
• Duct tape

Instructions

1. Go under the mobile home with a flashlight. Use the flashlight to inspect the underside of the flooring looking for damage such as holes, nests or water buildup from exposure. You will need to repair any damage before installing new insulation under a mobile home. If the mobile home has older insulation already in place, you must remove this and the felt covering over it. Holes found in the flooring can be sealed with wood cutouts, or by stuffing insulation into the holes. Any water damage must be allowed to dry before installing insulation otherwise the insulation will grow mold and rot.

2. Unhook or disconnect any plumbing, wiring or ductwork already in place. Place these out of the way by either tying them off or moving them aside, away from the work area. You want to have as much clear space to work with when installing insulation under a mobile home as this space is very limited. The insulation will be placed above where the plumbing, wiring and ductwork is installed; moving these items will avoid problems later on during instillation. You should also make sure the electricity and water supply are turned off to avoid shocks.

3. Buy a roll of insulation with sufficient "R" value like R-19 so that you have maximum heat retention and efficiency. Put the insulation between the floor joists underneath the trailer. Work from the main beams at the front of the mobile home to the rear. The main joist will be located where the tongue would connect to the trailer frame.

4. Start the insulation at either end between the first and second joist. Make sure the paper backing is face down to the ground. Staple the end of the backing to the wood frame of the trailer. Tuck the insulation between the joists as you work toward the other side. Staple the end of the other side the same way as you began. Tie support wires across the insulation to each joist to hold it in place. Repeat this step for each remaining piece of insulation.

5. Put the plumbing and wiring together again. Seal the plumbing lines with silicone. Insulate the plumbing and duct work by wrapping insulation around them and wrapping duct tape around the insulation.

6. Install the fabric roll over the insulation at this point. Tack it to the frame the same way you tacked the insulation to the frame. This will form multiple large squares under the trailer. The fabric can be either plastic, which helps reduce condensation, or felt backing. Both will keep cold drafts from slipping through the seams of the insulation.