Eavestroughs not typically required or included with mobile homes

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/11/2015 (3576 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Question: I just purchased a 2012 mobile home. I realized there are no eavestroughs on it. So I started to look at other trailers in the trailer park and none of them have eavestroughs. It was a warmer day and the snow was melting off the roof and running down the sides of every trailer. Should they have them or if not, why not? I realize there’s no basement for water to get into, but it can’t be good for the siding etc. Plus it’s annoying to have water dripping on your head when you open the door.

Thanks, Kelly Hough.

ANSWER: There are a few reasons your newly purchased mobile home has no eavestroughs or downspouts, most of which are simply due to the design of the unit.

Mobile homes are designed to be just that, mobile, so having additional items that may make transportation of the domicile more difficult is not practical, or necessary.

Mobile homes, while providing adequate yet somewhat limited habitation for people, are designed to be moved. Because of this, they must have different design features, for both durability and practicality, than typical homes.

As you undoubtedly have noticed, the exterior of your mobile home is considerably different than most houses. The first difference is the likelihood of metal siding and roofing on the entire structure. Metal is used because it’s strong and lightweight.

Whether aluminum or painted steel, metal siding and roofing may outlast other materials while providing a smooth, thin skin for the mobile home. This material will also be applied with fasteners that will prevent detachment or damage during motion.

That may be the primary reason for this choice: a lack of problems when the mobile home is transported to its destination.

Because metal roofing and siding is highly malleable when produced, it can be formed and curved to tightly fit almost any angle or curve with minimal joints. This ability allows the transition from the roofing to the siding to have tighter seams than conventional structures, while allowing good drainage due to the curved surfaces. Since the entire exterior of the mobile home, excluding the windows, may be made of this type of siding, leakage from rain is less likely.

This may also be complemented by proper flashings or seals around doors, windows, and other penetrations of the exterior cladding. Installing eavestroughs to prevent water running down the metal-skinned walls is not necessary to prevent siding damage.

Despite the lack of necessity for siding or structural damage, eavestroughs and downspouts would help prevent erosion of the soil around your mobile home, depending on the location.

Because the manufacturer is not sure what type of surface the domicile will be resting on, installing a rainwater-management system would be frivolous.

If the mobile home is to be parked on a solid slab of concrete or asphalt, this may not be an issue. If it is to reside in a lot with sandy soil or compacted gravel, and has good grading, there may also be no need for further modifications.

Similarly, if the mobile home is to be placed in an area with a very dry climate, such as many desert communities in the U.S., water management may not be a consideration.

Regardless of the resting place of a mobile home being unknown, measures must be taken to provide a relatively tight exterior to prevent leakage from precipitation.

Adding any exterior components, such as eavestroughs or downspouts, on a mobile home may interfere with transportation.

Having flimsy metal gutters sticking out from the unit, while being driven down a highway at relatively high speeds, would not be wise.

While damage is likely, disconnection could be disastrous. Unless the gutters were designed to be integral, with seamless downspouts hidden behind the siding, transportation would be a major issue. That is why most of the items attached to, or protruding from, the exterior of the mobile home will be collapsible, foldable, or covered to accommodate movement.

While a drainage system to control runoff from rainwater may not be integral to your mobile home, one may be installed, if you desire.

This may also include foldable awnings over doors or windows, or other exterior components, to prevent you from getting wet when entering or leaving the structure.

There are many aftermarket items designed specifically for mobile homes and RVs for these purposes. Checking out the local RV and leisure product retailers should help locate these products. You may not find eavestrough systems, but these could be adapted from residential materials found at home centres, once your mobile home is situated.

Care must be taken not to damage the metal siding when fastening the troughs, but screws with gaskets are available for that purpose. Planning for easy removal of these items is important, should the mobile home need to be relocated.

Drainage systems for buildings that are designed to be moved, such as your new mobile home, are neither necessary nor practical. The design of the unit should automatically take into consideration roof integrity and drainage, but additional components could be added after it is parked, should you desire.

Ari Marantz is the owner of Trained Eye Home Inspection Ltd. and the past president of the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors — Manitoba (cahpi.mb.ca). Questions can be emailed to the address below. Call Ari can be reached at 204-291-5358 or see his website at trainedeye.ca.

trainedeye@iname.com