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An ounce of prevention saves a ton of trouble when it comes to making your home more comfortable. Why put up with drafts, leaks, excess moisture, mildew or pesky pests when you don’t have to?

You can put a stop to costly drafts or leaks before they start with the right sealant, caulking compound or roof coating. Unwanted moisture can be a problem even in today’s well-built and insulated manufactured homes, but not if you take steps to control it. Pests inside or under your manufactured home can also cause trouble. Homeowners agree it’s far easier to keep bugs or unwanted animals from getting into their manufactured home than it is to get rid of them once they’ve moved in! Here are some quick preventive maintenance tips that pay off in both time and money.

How to keep out drafts and leaks

Sealants, caulking compounds and roof coatings prevent leaks and drafts. Sealing your home is probably the easiest and least costly way to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient. Basically, any crevice, crack or connection (except the edges of siding panels) should be sealed.

To determine if your old caulk needs replacing, poke it with a screwdriver or nail. It should have a rubbery consistency. If it is hard, brittle and cracked, remove and replace it as part of your regular preventive maintenance. You will probably need more than one type of sealant to do your entire home. Here are some common sealant types:

• Silicone

  Expensive, but excellent for most uses. High adhesion and longevity. Paint might not stick to surface.

• Acrylic Latex

  Not quite as expensive as silicone. Good adhesion and longevity. Can be painted.

• Vinyl Latex

  Somewhat expensive. Good around damp areas such as tubs and toilets.

• Oil-Based Caulk

  Fairly inexpensive. Does not last long. Bonds well to most surfaces.

• Expandable Foam

  An excellent way to fill gaps around pipes. Also provides insulation value. Very adhesive.

• Roof Coating – Aluminum Based

  Available in a variety of grades. Should be applied to entire metal roof at least once every two years. Prevents leaks and corrosion.

• Roof Coating – White

  Can be acrylic or elastomeric (rubber). More expensive than aluminum based roof coating. Prevents leaks and reflects sun’s rays. Keeps house cooler in summer.

• Patching Cement

  For use on a metal roof. Ideal for patching holes and sealing seams.

Need  quote on Mobile Home Insurance. Get to start a quote today!

Call or text 318-336-5203 or email at pattie@reedinsla.com

Pattie Jones, CISR

*Content provided by Foremost Insurance Group

Imagine how devastating it would be to lose your home in a fire. Now imagine not being able to rebuild it completely because you didn’t have the correct amount of insurance.

Selecting the proper amount of coverage is the single most important decision you can make with your Homeowners policy. Without it, you may not have enough coverage to rebuild after a total loss. This is called “insurance to value.” Below are some explanations and tips to help you make the right choices for your needs — and remember, if you need help, we’re just a phone call away!

What is insurance to value?

Insurance to value is the relationship between the amount of coverage selected (typically listed as “Coverage A” or “Dwelling Coverage” on your policy declarations page) and the amount required to rebuild your home.  Insuring your home for anything less than 100% insurance to value could mean you wouldn’t have enough coverage to replace your home in the event of a total loss

Why is the cost to rebuild different from the market value?

A home’s market value reflects current economic conditions, taxes, school districts, the value of the land and location, and other factors unrelated to construction cost.  The cost to rebuild your home is based only on the cost of materials and labor in your area.  It is important that you insure your home based on its reconstruction cost, NOT its current market value

Why is reconstruction more expensive than new construction?

New-home builders typically build many homes at once, and solicit bids from various sub-contractors to receive the best pricing. Their business model is based on economies of scale. For example, they may purchase 20 bathtubs at once, securing a lower unit cost. These economies of scale don’t exist when building a single home.

How can I make sure I have the correct amount of insurance?

Work with your agent to provide detailed information at time of purchase to be sure that you receive a thorough and accurate quote.

Ask us about additional coverage options that may be available.

Review your insurance to value calculation on a regular basis with your agent.

Tell your agent about any changes or improvements that you make to your home.

Call or text 318-336-5203 or email at pattie@reedinsla.com

Pattie Jones, CISR

Out of sight, out of mind! It’s a saying that’s too often true about making repairs around the base of your home. Problems with manufactured home skirting are common, and replacing your mobile home’s skirting is easier than you might think.

Replacing your home’s skirting

Most manufactured homes have some type of skirting attached to the base of the home. This skirting protects your home’s pipes and fixtures from the elements, reduces updrafts and helps to control moisture. Damaged aluminum and vinyl skirting panels should be replaced, not patched. Fortunately, individual panels are not very expensive and are easy to replace. If you have trouble finding identical replacement panels, switch the damaged panel with one in a less conspicuous location. Or, if your skirting is aluminum, buy a panel in a similar pattern and paint it to match. In warmer climates, a screen or louvered vent can also be used as a replacement.

Besides your replacement panel, you’ll need tin snips and a measuring tape.

• • Step 1: Remove panel.

    Slide the panel up until it is above the ground channel. Pull it out from the bottom and slide the rest of the panel out. With some types of skirting, it’s easier to remove panels if you unsnap the trim.

  • Step 2: Cut to fit.

    Measure the damaged panel to determine the size of a replacement panel. Both aluminum and vinyl skirting panels can be cut with tin snips. Remember to keep the top of the panel straight.

  • Step 3: Replace panel.

    Slide the top of the panel in first, and then lift to insert the bottom into the ground channel. If you removed the top trim front, make sure the replacement panel is in place, then snap the top trim front in place.

Need a Mobile Home Insurance? Get a quote today!

Call or text 318-336-5203 or email at pattie@reedinsla.com

Pattie Jones, CISR

*Content provided by Foremost Insurance Group

 

If the frame on one of your mobile home windows is warped or severely weather damaged, replace it. Even if the frames aren’t warped or damaged, windows that seem to constantly need repair or adjustment should be replaced. A new, efficient window keeps cold drafts out of your manufactured home and saves you energy dollars in the long run.

Before you buy a replacement for an old window, think about the style and size of the new window you’d like. Things to consider are the window’s location, whether you want a smaller or larger replacement, and the way the original window was mounted on your home. Don’t assume that you must replace your old window with an exact duplicate. Many new energy-efficient windows, in a variety of styles, are made for manufactured homes.

Before you go shopping, determine the size of your existing window and check if the window is flush-mounted or mounted for lap siding. A flush-mounted window frame screws on over the siding. If the window has a lap-siding mount, the siding covers the window frame screws. Your new window should have the same type of mount as your current window, for appearance and ease of installation.

Before you order a new window, you may want to remove your old window and check that the opening is square. To do that, remove your window, and measure the opening diagonals corner to corner or use a framing square to measure the opening.

If the window opening is slightly off-square, you can use shims to fit in a new window. If the opening is significantly off-square, you can reduce the window opening by roughing a new, square frame for a smaller window or you can enlarge the opening for a larger window. It’s usually easier to reduce the opening and install a smaller window.

If you are replacing a bedroom window, and it’s the only exit from the bedroom to the outside, you probably won’t be able to make the opening smaller. Bedroom windows that serve as egress windows in case of fire must meet minimum code requirements.

To replace your window, you’ll need screws, putty tape, silicone sealant, and a screwdriver and/or replaceable drill with screwhead bits. When you purchase your new window, check with the window supplier about any special tools or screwhead bits you’ll need.

• Step 1: Remove siding

  You can skip this step if your frame is mounted over vertical siding. If your frame is mounted under lap siding, remove the siding around the window. Be careful – if you bend aluminum siding, you will not be able to get rid of the resulting crease.

• Step 2: Remove window

  Using a reversible drill and proper screwhead bit, remove the screws around the edges of the frame. Note the size and type of screw. It’s best not to reuse these screws. Instead, use new screws the same diameter and slightly longer than the originals. Once all the screws are out, remove the old window and frame.

  Scrape off all the old putty tape from the opening and frame. Apply new putty tape around the window frame. For extra moisture protection, apply two thicknesses of putty tape at the top of the opening. Applying putty tape is very important, especially if you have vertical siding. The tape fills any gaps between the window frame and the siding.

• Step 3: Replace window

  Start by inserting one screw in the middle of all four sides. Be sure the screws go in straight. Do not tighten screws. Check to make sure the window is square before inserting more screws. After you have used about half the screws, open and close the window a few times to see that it is square and does not bind. Put in the remaining screws and tighten.

• Step 4: Seal

  Run a bead of clear silicone sealant along the top of the window where it meets the siding. Replace any siding that was removed.

Get a quote today!

Call or text 318-336-5203 or email at pattie@reedinsla.com

Pattie Jones, CISR

*Content provided by Foremost Insurance Group

In today’s economy, everyone is pinching pennies.  So why worry about umbrella coverage?  Shouldn’t a home and auto policy leave you adequately covered? 

Unfortunately, we live in a world of lawsuits.  Large damages can be awarded, be extremely expensive and have long-term financial impact.  Those lawsuits can come from unlikely sources, such as our furry friends.

Take Herschel for instance.  Herschel is a much-loved, rather timid labradoodle who enjoys taking naps on the driveway while his owner mows the lawn.

Herschel watched from eight feet away as his neighbor, a 39 year old man, showed off his rollerblading skills to his kids.  The man wiped out on the sidewalk in front of Herschel’s house and broke his leg.  He required surgery, costing around $35,000 in medical costs and $18,000 in lost wages.

Fair or not, the man brought a lawsuit against Herschel’s owner, suing for $220,000 in damages.  He alleged that Herschel had caused the accident by getting in his way, despite multiple witnesses to the contrary. 

But Herschel’s owner was lucky–a jury vindicated Herschel. However, lawsuits such as these can easily exceed the limits on a homeowner’s policy, leaving the insured responsible for the remainder.  An umbrella policy would prevent that, giving you an extra $1 million to $5 million in coverage.

Our furry friends can put your assets at risk in other ways as well.   According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year, with half of those occurring on the owner’s property.  Dog bites, according to the Insurance Information Institute, account for about a third of all homeowner’s insurance claims, which only cover limited damages.

 Protect what you love.  Call us to talk about your umbrella options. 

Call or text 318-336-5203 or email at pattie@reedinsla.com

Pattie Jones, CISR