Two factors cause mobile home skylights to have a higher-than-average incidence of leakage than site-built homes: 1) many of them do not have a raised frame or curb, and 2) mobile home roofs usually have a lower roof slope than site-built homes.

    Once they start leaking, like in the photo at the top of the page which is below the skylight shown above, homeowners often slather on some roofing mastic around the perimeter to fix it. But mastic is only a temporary repair at best, and the leak typically returns within a year or two. The skylight below has already had its second application of mastic.

    The raised perimeter and proper, down-lapped installation is important, especially on a lower slope roof. Here’s an example of a better quality skylight and installation, and one that is obviously more expensive.

    It has been said that “all skylights leak eventually” and, although that’s an exaggeration, there is a nugget of truth inside it. Any roof penetration is a prime candidate for leakage, but smaller skylights don’t have the benefit of a cricket/saddle at the high side to divert water around them like a chimney has.

    Also, see our articles How do you flash skylight, chimney, and pipe vent roof penetrations on a metal roof? and What is the average life expectancy of skylights? 

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Field Guide for Home Inspectors, a quick reference for finding the age of 154 brands of HVAC systems, water heaters, and electrical panels, plus 210 code standards for site-built and manufactured homes, and the life expectancy rating of 195 home components. Available at amazon.com for $19.95.
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Here’s links to a collection of our blog posts about MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOMES:

• Can I put a new asphalt shingle roof over an existing shingle roof on a manufactured/mobile home?

• What is the stuff you paint an old mobile home metal roof with to extend its life?  

• Why is it a dangerous mistake to attach a carport, porch, or room addition directly to the roof of a mobile home? 

• What is the allowable load in psf (pounds per square foot) for mounting solar panels or other equipment on the roof of a mobile/manufactured home? 

• Where can I file a complaint if I have problems with my new or used manufactured/mobile home in Florida?

• What are the most common defects in mobile/manufactured home foundation piers?

• How do I determine the age of a very old mobile home?

• Is it safe to go under a mobile home? 

• Are older mobile homes unsafe? 

• What do I need to know about buying a foreclosed mobile home? 

• Does it make sense to buy an older mobile home and remodel it? 

• Where do I find the vehicle identification number (VIN) on a mobile home? 

• How do I find out how old a mobile home is and who manufactured it?

• What is the right price for a used mobile home?

• How energy efficient is a mobile home?

• How do I upgrade my old (pre-1976) mobile home to meet HUD standards?

• What size air conditioner is right for my mobile home? 

• Can you move an older mobile home in Florida? 

• What does the HUD tag look like and where do I find it on a mobile home? 

• Can you put a zone 1 mobile home in Florida?

• How can I remove water under my mobile home?

• What's the differences between a trailer, a mobile home, a manufactured home, and a modular home? 

• What is a D-sticker mobile home? 

• What are the tie-down requirements for a mobile home?

• How fireproof is a mobile home?  

• Does an addition to a mobile home have to comply with the HUD Code? 

• What walls can I remove in a mobile home?

• What can I do to prevent dampness and mold in my mobile home? 

       Visit our MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOMES  page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.