Review

Home Maintenance for Tiny Houses

The tiny house trend is more popular than ever as more people turn toward a minimalist lifestyle. And what is not to love about tiny houses when they allow people to cut down clutter and reduce their carbon footprint. Living in a tiny house offers several benefits, it enables the owners to move around, and it’s cost-effective and eco-friendly.

But tiny houses are unique structures and require particular repairs that can prove difficult if you lack specialised skills. Therefore, it’s best to maintain your home and prevent repairing it later when the damage is more challenging to fix. 

How can you practice preventive maintenance when you own a tiny house? In a perfect world, you would already be aware of the quirks associated with living in a tiny house. You would know how to prepare it for inclement weather, care for the plumbing system, and secure it. But if you’re new to tiny houses, these things might catch you off guard. Don’t worry; you can still gain the necessary skills to keep your home in a top-notch form.

This article covers a list of the most common repairs associated with this kind of dwelling and provides some information about how much it costs to maintain it. Knowing the common issues ahead of time can help you figure out what aspects require your attention, and this way, you spend more time focusing on them and less worrying about extensive damage.

Common repairs when owning a tiny house

A tiny house can simplify your life if you’re a traveller or minimalist looking for ways to downsize your floor plan size and belongings. One of the most appealing aspects of living tiny is that you can cut down maintenance expenses because a tiny house should require spending less than an urban dwelling. Well, it should do it, but only if you do regular maintenance and keep it functioning. 

Here are some common tiny house repairs you’ll encounter along the way to help you prepare and craft a maintenance program.

Leaky pipes

If you travel regularly, your house is more at risk of pipe leaking due to the shaking and rattling the structure experiences when you drive it around. Your tiny house has a roof, water heater, toilet, shower head and faucet, so you need to maintain the plumbing system as you’d do in a traditional house. Check the gas and water pipes regularly, and inspect them thoroughly before a long road trip. It would be wise to take pictures of the plumbing system to compare them during checks. To reduce the possibility of damage, simplify the plumbing system and ensure it’s easy to access if it needs repairs.

Trailer issues

Part of your tiny house’s appeal is that it’s a mobile structure that allows you to travel. This means it sits on a trailer, exposed to weather elements, requiring specific maintenance.

– Check the tire pressure regularly, and maintain it at a proper level.

– Change the tires when they show signs of wear and tear because they take a great beating from the weather and road.

– Repack and grease the bearings periodically.

– Check the lug nuts frequently because they loosen in time.

– Inspect the trailer lighting to see if it functions properly.

– Have a look inside the trailer to ensure that the furniture and equipment are in proper shape.

Your kitchen furniture may show wear and tear signs if you’re an enthusiastic cook. If this is the case, consider replacing its doors or buying new units from a company like kitchenwarehouseltd.com that specialises in custom kitchen furniture. They’ll provide you with kitchen elements that fit your tiny house.

Heating/cooling

Sometimes, maintaining a proper temperature in a tiny space may be challenging. If you live in a colder area, it may be more difficult to feel cosy and warm during winter because some trailers have thin walls. Also, if you want to live off the grid, you need to invest in eco-friendly equipment because you don’t want to use electrical heating systems. You can opt for an alternative like a portable propane heater or wood stove.

Regardless of the climate, you live in, ensure your trailer is comfortable and properly insulated and ventilated.

Damaged flooring

A tiny house is more prone to heavy traffic, so your flooring is bound to see some wear and tear, especially if you have children or pets. The average tiny house has vinyl, laminate, or floating hardwood flooring. All materials are quite susceptible to scratches, and it’s best to cover or replace them with something less damage-prone. For example, if you live in a warm climate, upgrading the flooring to tiles is a good idea. If you don’t afford to replace the flooring with a new one, lay a rug down or go shoe-free.

Deck repairs

Another area you should keep in top shape is the deck. Your deck is exposed to weather elements and can experience extensive wear and tear. Therefore, you should perform regular maintenance to extend its longevity.

How much does it cost to maintain a tiny house?

Your tiny house is built as a movable structure that allows you to travel. Different factors impact its maintenance cost. The more expensive the dwelling is initially, the more affordable it is to maintain it in time. High-quality fixtures and finishes require fewer repairs and maintenance and have a longer lifespan. 

Here are some factors to consider when making the budget for tiny house maintenance. 

– Unexpected events like acts of nature or God can trigger unplanned expenses. Earthquakes, tornados, fires, and hurricanes can damage your tiny house and require high repair costs. Your furniture and appliances can also break down and create unexpected costs. 

– Routine maintenance includes things like caring for the plumbing system or changing light bulbs. You can hire someone to handle routine maintenance or do it yourself and save some money. 

– Improvements are required for all kinds of housing. While some people may be okay with using the same furniture and appliances for decades, you may want to upgrade them periodically. 

The secret to limiting maintenance and repair expenses is to be proactive. Act with precaution and be prepared for the unexpected. 

Yuvraj kore

Welcome to our blog! My name is Yuvraj Kore, and I am a blogger who has been exploring the world of blogging since 2017. It all started back in 2014 when I attended a digital marketing program at college and learned about the intriguing world of blogging. As I started to learn more about blogging, I realized that this platform has immense potential to share ideas, experiences, and knowledge with the world. The more I dived into it, the more passionate I became about blogging. My passion for blogging was fueled by the mentorship and guidance of Akshay Sir from Goa, who was instrumental in teaching me the ropes of this exciting world. Under his guidance, I honed my blogging skills and gained valuable experience, which I am happy to share with my readers.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button