First Thing's First

As we started planning this remodel and trying to make decisions on colors and types of flooring, TJ had the realization that we should probably get the Mobile Home re-levelled before we even start.  We definitely didn’t want to be trying to install new cabinets and not be able to get them straight because the house wasn’t level.  I hadn’t had it re-levelled since the house was originally set 16 ½ years ago so it was definitely time. 

The jack

TJ searched and found Xavier with Skyjackers to come over and give him an estimate.  He put a level on the house and immediately found that it was about 6 inches off from front to back.  TJ asked him if it was a good idea for us to put more blocks under the trailer and he said absolutely, yes.  He said that when the trailer was set in ’99, the standard distance between blocks was 8 feet, but since has changed to 6 feet.  We felt like it would make the house feel more sturdy from the inside as well, so we agreed to the re-level and to add more blocks.  We bought the extra blocks and he charged us $600 to do the job.  We felt it was well worth it and gave us even more piece of mind to go into our remodel.  He also alerted us to a leak in the guest bathroom area that we had no idea was even there, and that will definitely help our planning for later on. 


All set and no siding
 

In order to get the re-level and extra blocks done they also had to take down the old skirting, which was ratty and falling down anyway.  We have no idea what we want to replace it with.  Since the house isn’t sitting on a pad I don’t think it would be a good idea to do rock or use any other permanent materials which is a bummer because that actually would make it look more like a permanent structure and a home.  We'll need to find something that will help to insulate the bottom of the house for energy purposes, but not be too permanent.  I guess we’ll just have to keep looking!













If you look just beyond the bladder tank to the left is the old
 rusty galvanized steel pipe that we pulled out.

The water well on the property is around 30 years old.  My parents had it drilled when I was 5 or 6.  We never had any issues with the well but as us kids grew up our dentist let us know that there was too much fluoride in the water we were drinking. Too much fluoride in your drinking water has various effects, one being that it will weaken the enamel of your teeth and give way to unsightly brown or yellowish stains, which dentists refer to as Fluorosis.  Now fast forward to 1999.  The well had sit for about 5 years with no use, and I had a new mobile home put on the property.  New PVC pipes were put in the ground from the well up to the trailer.  We turned the water on and it was rusty.  It wasn’t even something you’d notice too much if you poured it in a glass of water but you’d definitely be able to tell in your sinks, tubs and appliances over time.  We didn’t drink or cook with the water but it was definitely killing our appliances and clothes.  The pipe inside the well was all galvanized steel, which had surely rusted.  The above ground tank was as well.  I replaced the bladder tank about 7 years ago, and now it was time to replace the pipe with PVC.  There’s no way we could do this remodel and still have rusty water so we definitely needed to get it fixed.  An old family friend pulled the well and replaced the pipe with all new PVC (350 feet) for $800.  As we suspected, the galvanized pipe was eaten up with rust, and we’re hoping that fixes the recurring rust problem.  We’ll still need to replace all of the pipe to the house, and inside of the house because those pipes are too corroded.  We’re also thinking about installing a good water filtration system.  I definitely don’t want Tristyn having the same dental issues I’ve had!