Are you planning to move a floor vent in a mobile home, but you're not sure how to do it? Worry no more! We did some research to answer your question.
Moving a floor vent in a mobile home takes time and effort. You can do so with the steps below:
- Clear the area where you want to move the vent.
- Ensure safety by checking the wires, joists, and plumbing pipes in the relocation area.
- Measure the existing vent, then mark the measurement on the relocation area.
- Carefully remove the existing vent by unscrewing or prying it out.
- Cut the floor with a wood cutter or a grinder tool.
- Place the vent on top of the hole you made.
- Screw the vent on designated screwing spots. Otherwise, you can use strong glue to attach the vent to the floor.
- Install the vent cover if there's any.
- Use a silicon caulk to secure the vent's edges.
- Cover the previous vent with a plywood or metal sheet.
In this article, we'll find out how to move a floor vent in a mobile home. We'll share with you the steps and some things to consider in this project. So, let's go and read up to the end!
How To Move A Floor Vent In A Mobile Home
A mobile home is usually made of fabricated wooden material that's movable from one place to another. It's purpose is to serve as a shelter at an area convenient for the owner. It also has space beneath the ground measuring up to 12 inches, improving the ventilation in the area.
Floor vents allow the air to rise up from the ground, maximizing the efficiency of temperature. That's why we're breaking down the steps we provided from the start. See the list below.
1. Plan the Area
First, you should ensure that there are no wires on where you want to place the vent. Accidentally cutting wires is dangerous and could start a fire.
Also, consider checking the joists and plumbing pipes beneath the floor. You'll want the floor joist to be durable and not rotten, while the plumbing pipes should be away from the floor vent.
You can consider placing the floor vent near the window. This is to minimize the flow of cool air from the outside by blocking it with the hot air rising from below. You'll want to move the furniture away from the floor vent for proper air circulation.
2. Cut the Floor
Next is to measure the vent, then copy that measurement to mark its size on the relocation area. It's good to allow space for screwing so that the vent will be stable.
You should be careful in removing the vent to avoid damaging the corners and edges. Use a screwdriver to loosen it or pry it out with a chisel.
Then use a wood cutter or a grinder tool to cut the floor.
3. Relocate the Vent
Screw the vent on designated screwing spots, or use construction glue to adhere it to the floor. You can also combine screws and glue for a firmer hold. However, it's best to follow the installation guide in the product description.
Apply silicon caulk along the vent's edges to prevent leaks, then install the cover if there are any.
Finish the task by covering the previous vent with a plywood or a metal sheet. Ensure that it will not protrude so that you will not trip over it.
How Many Floor Vents does a Mobile Home Needs?
You can consider having one vent for every 150 square feet of floor area so that your mobile home can achieve sufficient air circulation. However, it's best to consult your homebuilder to ensure safety if you want to install more vents.
What Floor Vent to Use?
Floor vents don't actually differ that much. They just differ on what material they're made of and the style or pattern. You can check below some common vents to use on the floor.
Steel Vent
A steel vent is made of a durable metal grill. A steel vent is quite good for enhancing the temperature a bit due to its ability to absorb moisture and heat. You can use steel vents on bedroom floors, for instance.
See this steel vent on Amazon.
Decorative Vent
It can be a vent made of metal or wood with decorative patterns to match the house's theme and colors. It's good to install decorative vents in the living room where some visitors usually stay.
See this decorative vent on Amazon.
Plastic Vent
It's made of plastic and is usually replaceable after multiple or prolonged use depending on the manufacturer. Plastic vents are good for resisting moisture and rusting. However, a plastic vent might not be as durable as a steel vent.
See this plastic vent on Amazon.
Should You Cover the Floor Vent?
Covering the floor vent is optional, yet it can help you in many ways. Some vents come with a sliding cover to save space. You can simply screw the cover along the vent's edges, and you can slide it close when you're away. Check the list below on what the vent cover can do.
Controls Airflow
Covering the floor vent helps you control the airflow so that the room will have an optimal temperature. Otherwise, keeping the vent open may increase the volume of cold air in the area.
You can also redirect the airflow for a more effective temperature distribution. For instance, if there's some leather furniture in the room. Redirecting the airflow can protect such objects, as well as fill in the areas with less air volume.
You can use an air deflector to ensure proper airflow in a specific direction.
See this air deflector on Amazon.
Simply follow the steps below on how to install an air deflector:
- Measure the vent to find the correct size of the air deflector.
- Point its opening to where you want to redirect the air.
- Screw it against the vent.
Prevents Clogging
Solid objects such as paper or small toys can stick inside the floor vent, causing the air not to flow properly. Also, the dust from sweeping the floor may clog the airway. That's why you should consider covering the vent if it's not in use.
If you have a vacuum cleaner at home, you can use it to unclog the floor vent. Doing this frequently will improve the air quality.
Blocks Insects
Since mobile homes usually have space beneath the ground, insects can pass through them. You don't want them to inhabit the floor vent, as they pose some health risks.
This problem could arise due to ineffective cleaning. However, there's a way to get rid of insects if they already started inhabiting inside the floor vent. See below the steps:
- Pour soap and disinfectant solution into a spray bottle.
- Spray the solution on the vent.
- Let the insects come out and wait for the solution to get dry.
- Spray more solution to ensure that the insects will not go back.
- Wipe the vent with a dry cloth.
- Use a vaccum cleaner to eliminate residual dirt.
- Spray some scented solution to reduce the odor.
- If the insects go back after a few days, you can seek help from a professional.
What Are Common Problems with Floor Vents?
Like any other HVAC vents you'll encounter some common problems with a floor vent. See below such problems and what can you do about them.
Limited Access to Crawlspace
Since the floor vent runs through the floor, the space to access it is limited. You may need to seek help from an HVAC technician should you want to extend the floor vent into other rooms, for instance.
Water in Floor Vent
Another common problem with the floor vent is that the water might collect inside of it, causing the floor joists to be damp and weak. However, a solution to this is to install a ventilation fan to exhaust the moisture.
It's best to find a professional if your floor vent has no fan yet. So that the installation will be accurate depending on the technician's assessment of floor structure.
Conclusion
We're glad you reached this point of the article, in which we learned how to move a floor vent in a mobile home. We provided some useful information such as where to relocate the floor vent. Remember to clean the vents for efficient airflow.
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