How to Replace Insulation Under a Mobile Home

Over time, the insulation under your mobile home can become less effective. If you start to feel colder air coming up from beneath the floor or if the floor is always cold to the touch, it might be time to replace the insulation. Unlike replacing the insulation in the walls and ceiling, this is not an overly difficult job and it's one that you can do yourself without the assistance of an expert or insulation professional.

Things You'll Need

• Wiring

Instructions

1. Remove the skirting from around your mobile home. This will give you access to the area beneath the floor so you can replace the insulation.

2. Put on thick work gloves and remove the insulation from beneath the floor. You will probably need to remove wiring that is holding the insulation in place.

3. Replace the belly board if it is in poor condition. If it is letting too much air in, the insulation you add won't be as effective.

4. Take off the belly board and add new insulation if you have no insulation already or if you have just removed faulty insulation. Wire the insulation to the floor joists and make sure the vapor barrier side of the insulation is on the top.

5. Add new insulation on top of old insulation that is still working fine by cutting into the vapor barrier, which should be facing down, toward the old insulation.

6. Consider drilling into the band joist to add even more insulation. By taking loose fill insulation and putting it under the floor and over insulation that is already there, you can increase your efficiency.

7. Replace the skirting from around your mobile home. If the skirting is damaged in any way, replace it. You need it to make the insulation more effective.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the R-value of the replacement insulation you're using under your mobile home. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation will be. In the floor, the R-value should be at least 19 and between 11 and 19.

References

• Missouri Department of Natural Resources: The Energy-Efficient Manufactured Home