Parts of a manufactured home that matter for sewage

Underbelly (bottom board)
The fabric or board sheet under the floor that holds insulation in place and keeps out pests.
Skirting
Panels around the base of the home that enclose the crawl area.
Drain line and riser
Pipes under the home that collect fixtures and drop into the community's sewer connection.
Community sewer
The lines inside a manufactured home community that connect each site to the public system; often maintained by the community owner.

How a backup looks without a basement

Federal Heights is a small city wedged between Westminster, Thornton and Northglenn, and it is known for its large share of manufactured home communities alongside apartments and single-family homes. In a manufactured home there is no floor drain in a basement to overflow. Instead, a blockage usually shows up as a tub, shower or toilet backing up inside, or as a leaking connection under the home that soaks the ground and the underbelly.

Sewage that leaks under the home can saturate the insulation held in the underbelly. That insulation is porous and handled like any other material touched by Category 3 water: it is removed and the underbelly is patched or replaced. Because the crawl area is tight and enclosed, odor and moisture can linger if the area is not cleaned and dried.

Who to contact

  • IfYou own the home and rent the lot in a communityThenCall community management first. The sewer connection at your site and the lines beyond it are often the community's responsibility under the lot agreement.
  • IfSewage is backing up inside the home from your own fixtures onlyThenThe clog may be in your home's drain line under the floor. Ask management whether you or they call the plumber.
  • IfSeveral homes in the community are backing upThenReport it to management right away and ask them to contact the sewer provider.
  • IfYou rent the home itselfThenNotify whoever you pay rent to, in writing, and ask who will arrange cleanup.

Under-home checks after a backup

  • Look for sagging or wet underbelly material near bathrooms
  • Check for standing water or soaked soil inside the skirting
  • Ask that the crawl area be cleaned and any soaked insulation removed
  • Confirm drain line connections are resealed and supported
  • Make sure skirting vents are open so the area can dry
  • Check flooring around the toilet and tub for softness
Map of Federal Heights. It shows an area, not an office or a job site.

General information for Thornton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.