Manufactured Homes in Kimmell, Indiana: Caring for Your Home in the First Year

Kimmell is a small community in western Noble County, a short drive from Ligonier and the lakes. The owners we hear from after move-in usually want to know one thing: what should I be keeping an eye on? A new manufactured home needs very little, but the first year is when a few simple habits pay off for the next twenty.

A first-year care list

• Check that it is still level. A new home settles on its piers, especially after the first freeze and thaw. Doors that start to stick or gaps that open at the corners are the usual signs. Your set-up contractor can re-level it; ask when they recommend a check.
• Keep the skirting vents clear. The space under the home needs air. Keep leaves, snow and mulch away from the vents and make sure the ground cover under the home stays in place.
• Move water away from the home. Clean gutters, keep downspouts pointed away, and watch where water stands after a hard rain. Water under the home is the problem most worth preventing.
• Change the furnace filter on the schedule in the equipment paperwork, and keep the return-air path clear.
• Look under the sinks every few weeks for drips, and know where your main water shut-off is.
• Before winter, check heat tape on any exposed water line, close up gaps in the skirting, and disconnect garden hoses.

Keep a list for warranty items

Small adjustments in the first months are normal. Keep a written list with photos and dates rather than calling about each one, and send it together. Some items belong to your set-up contractor, others are covered by the manufacturer’s limited warranty, and appliances carry their own makers’ warranties. We stay your point of contact. Our delivery-day checklist covers what to look for when the home first arrives.

Read the homeowner manual

The home comes with a homeowner’s manual and equipment paperwork. Keep them together with your purchase papers. They say what the manufacturer expects for maintenance, and following it protects your warranty.

Common questions

How often should the home be re-leveled?

Ask your set-up contractor. A check after the first winter is a common starting point.

Who fixes a door that sticks after a few months?

Usually it is a levelling issue for your set-up contractor. Put it on your list and send it in.

Where to next?

See our Noble County page, or get in touch.