Rusty Roof Mobile Home - Decision Reached - Thanks

[Bekeart]

Rusty Roof Mobile Home - suggestions wanted

Looking at an older (1992) mobile home.
It has a some rusty areas on the roof.
Mobile would be for a family member to live in.

Had experience with Rust-Out cars where rust returned.

Some ideas (not necessarily good ones)

#! Sand rust off
Apply Rusty Metal Primer (Rust-Oleum name)
Apply roof coating

#2 Add a second layer of metal over old.

#3 Remove old roof and replace.

#4 Two stiff drinks and walk away from that one.

Bekeart

 

[Protocall_Design]

My choice would be #4. It would probably cost more money than the structure is worth to fix it right.

It would probably cost more grief and hassle than your sanity is worth to do a patchy job.

Find a better one. There are zillions of used mobile homes out there.

 

[bruce5781]

Possibly put a car-port type structure over it. Also helps with heating/cooling.

Sent from my SM-G781U1 using Tapatalk

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

There are "Coatings" (paint) specially made for metal roves and are made to adhere to rust. Some have fibers to fill pin holes. There was a company out of Florida 40 years ago named Johnson I used their coatings in 40 mil thickness on several projects. They started by making Mobil Home Coatings.

Ivan

 

[ladder13]

Flex Seal, that stuff actually works. Seals holes too, yes, I have experience.

May not look pretty though.

 

[Protocall_Design]

The carport roof is a great idea for any mobile home, even a new one.

 

[Heinz]

The condition of the roof probably reflects the overall care and maintenance this mobile home has received. Walk away, better yet run away

 

[Rudi]

The price would be the most important factor. From your post I would be thinking#4. It might also be impossible to re-sell later.

 

[arjay]

Years ago a woman I knew bought one for her sons off campus housing and she called me to work on it. The more we tore into it the more we found. These trailers have a short life span. I’d be very wary of how much you could end up spending on it.

 

[Nevada Ed]

It depends on how "Bad" the rust , and the condition of the metal, to see if it is salvageable, with repairs.

The pitch of the roof is also important, on the type of fix needed.

You need to price out both labor and material cost + 10% for unknowns.

Good luck on what ever you end up doing.

 

[MRB1]

Our hunting camp 5th Wheel's roof starting rusting, even though it was believed to be aluminum, and we ignored it until leaks began. We got three 5 gal cans of roof sealant and mopped it on (what a horrible mess). It extended the life for about seven years, but the continued corrosion wouldn't stand another application. I'd pass on a mobile home that was intended to be lived in full time.

 

[GypsmJim]

Wire brush and then coat the rust with Rustoleum Rust Reformer. This kills the rust, not just primes it like rusty metal primer would do.

Then, have a mobile home company put on a rubber roof. THAT will secure the roof for at least another 25 years, probably more.

The caveats:
* The purchase price mist be reasonable and allow the upgrade cost.
* The interior and plumbing / heating systems must be OK.
* The site is secure and you won't have to move the trailer.
* The trailer doesn't currently have any roof leaks.

Our metal roof RV is a 1964 model and the rusty roof spots haven't come thru yet. Se have a friend with an early 1960's mobile home and the rubber roofing is awesome.

 

[GaryS]

Don't walk away, run away.

 

[twodog max]

I will have to just say this NO to Flex seal. I tried it and in a matter of a few months if failed. Not on a roof but on another project out of the weather. No way would I use it on a roof

 

[kraynky]

I've been in commercial roofing for 45 years (until I retired last December) Being very careful where you walk, stepping on the structural joists only, clean the loose rust off with a pressure washer and let dry completely. If any of the water comes through, address those areas with a urethane sealant (just say No to silicone) or asphalt roof cement and a fiberglass reinforcement membrane.

Sherwin Williams carries a rust inhibitor primer (not cheap, but very good - sorry I forget the name of it) which will neutralize the rust.

After it dries, apply a Fiberated Aluminum Roof coating. One light coat, one heavier second coat after first one dries. Should only have to apply a light coat every 5-7 years afterwards.

Even a non rusty metal roof (without a kynar finish) will eventually need coating the same way for longevity. (That's why cars get painted, to protect the metal)

A galvalume metal panel (like a Butler Building) doesn't need a protective coating, but straight galvanized metal will still eventually rust.

You could install plywood and a single ply roof, but not exactly a "homeowner repair" like a coating. Good luck!

 

[mtgianni]

IMO, 30 years is near the shelf life of a mobile home unless you can trace a lot of maintenance.

 

[sheepdawg]

I was in the paint business for 50 years and this stuff is tops.

Rust Destroyer

 

[quikdraw67]

Mobile homes usually have oil or LP gas furnaces, what shape is the one you're looking at?

And regarding plumbing, is it grey poly pipe? If so, don't walk, run away.

Trailers aren't regular houses. If it's older than 30 years, forget it. The plumbing is as cheap as possible. Everything is cheap. And in plumbing, non-standard.

Good luck.

 

[SMSgt]

How much are you willing to throw into this boat on wheels?

 

[mtgianni]

Mobile homes usually have oil or LP gas furnaces, what shape is the one you're looking at?

And regarding plumbing, is it grey poly pipe? If so, don't walk, run away.

Trailers aren't regular houses. If it's older than 30 years, forget it. The plumbing is as cheap as possible. Everything is cheap. And in plumbing, non-standard.

Good luck.

Add electrical to the above.