Rusty Roof Mobile Home - Decision Reached - Thanks

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Have you ever tried to move a 20 year old mobile home????
Having dealt with this sort of thing over the years in various terms-my legal advice it to Run Away.
If the home is where you want it and it isn't all rotted out and the ONLY thing is "rusty areas" on the roof-ie not rusted through and you can get it for $500 and you are not parciulary fond of the family member-then go for it. Buy a can of that aluminum roof paint - paint the snot out of the roof and then charge $350 a month for rent (make them pay for the utilities). Tell the tenants they they are responsible for the upkeep. After two months you are making pure profit.

 

[jeffrefrig]

If the roof is that rusty, you may as well consider the cheap particle board floor to be rotting out, too. If it's only spot rust here & there then you may be okay to repair it as reported above. I rented a trailer for about two years before I got married. In a mobile home park, no less! Yes, most of the rumors you hear about those places is true. Those places are temporary shelter at best. Live in one for a few years while you save up for that down payment on a real house or while you're having your new house built. And for God's sake, build a root cellar to ride out the tornados. If there is a touch down anywhere in your state it will be on a mobile home.

 

[fordson]

In all reality, your number 4 is the best solution…….can I recommend a good bourbon?

 

[GypsmJim]

We camped in a tent for many years. Sfter getting rained out once too many the wife said no more. We found a waterfront site with cabins and motor homes. The old "house trailer" we rented for about 10 years was a 1960's model that had been well maintained and it had a recent rubber roof.

All I can say is that if the price is right and it appears to have been well maintained personally I wouldn't rule it out. Surface rust on the roof is inevitable. Also, they built them better back in the day.

For me, the other concern would be how long I intended to keep it.

 

[SweetMK]

When I lived in PA,, every mobile home that had a leaky roof became covered in black plastic,,
and car tires.



Do the still do that??

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

My Lake house. 1978 mobile home with deck and porch. PVC plumbing. Updated wiring. Tore out inside gas furnace and installed 2 ton heat pump. Put in new windows and roof. Installed vinyl insulated siding. Wife remodeled inside. SOLID as a rock. We've been using it for 20 years now. Cost was still way cheaper than pulling it out and building a house. Sits about 40 yards from the water at Clarks Hill lake(now called lake thurmond.....renamed after a dead politician.) And today it's worth 3 1/2 times more than I have in it.

 

[Bekeart]

We have made a decision. Thanks for suggestions and advice.

As the Great Yogi said: Much Grass, Much Grass
(Yogi Bear)

Thanks for the suggestions and advice.
We have made a decision.

Fantastice condition except for small areas of rusted roof.
Poured slab and foundation.
No moving required.

We were able to buy it at a reduced price.

Since there are only a few small areas of rust - apply Rustoleum Rust Reformer.
At least three coats, allowed to fully dry between coats.

Install a second metal roof with an insulation layer between it and the original roof.
Have strong recomendations for one company, by a friend with several family member who have used the company and its methods.

Have Rustoleum Rust Reformer arriving tomorrow.
Found a GOOD PRICE on Amazon.
Will instruct installation crew foreman to make sure of multiple coats.
Allowing to dry between coats.

Time will tell if we made a good choice.

Thanks Again,

Bekeart

 

[jeffrefrig]

Sounds like a good plan. Good luck. When I lived in that trailer, the owner would have me do minor repairs for him, mostly electrical. (This work for money off my rent.) Seems they all had issues with the aluminum wiring. Loose and/or burnt connections in the wall outlets. I don't know if they still use aluminum wiring or not. Anywhere they could make the home lighter they did, I guess for the "mobile" part. I think they were all older trailers, and this was about 25 years ago, so construction may have changed since then. Sounds like you have a good plan.