How to Replace a Floor in a Mobile Home
- 1). Remove the current flooring. The method of removal will depend on the kind of flooring you currently have. Carpeting needs to be ripped up by pulling it away from the tackless strip that's holding it and trailing a carpet knife around the perimeter, then cutting the carpet into strips and rolling it back. Repeat the same process for the carpet padding beneath. Wooden flooring and and linoleum tile may not need to be removed at all if it's solid enough to serve as insulation for your new floor. If it does need to be replaced, cut the old flooring into strips before lifting it with a utility or putty knife.
- 2). Measure the length and width of the floor you plan to replace. This will determine how much plywood (and carpeting if you want it) to purchase.
- 3). Cut the plywood to fit the room as precisely as you can. When complete precision is impossible, err on the side of caution and leave a little room for cutting later on. It's always easier to cut back a piece of plywood that's too large rather than coming up short and being forced to compensate.
- 4). Lay the plywood base for the new flooring, either on top of the old flooring or on the base of the mobile home itself. Drive the nails or screws into the floorboards, deep enough that they won't stick out. A floor leveler or putty will help to even out any screws that might still be sticking out. Sand the top of the screws when you're finished.
- 5). Lay down the adhesive you're going to use according to the instructions on the box, then apply the flooring. If you're going to lay carpet, apply the padding first in strips, tacking the edges down with staples. Lay the carpeting on top, leaving a few inches around the perimeter so you can cut it to fit the room properly. Use a knee kicker to hold one end of the carpet in place, and a carpet stretcher to lay the other side down onto the tack strip. For wooden flooring, apply the paneling in strips or squares directly to the adhesive, making sure not to leave any space between them.
- 6). Leave the room alone, allowing the adhesive to dry overnight.