resources for exterior door repair/replacement on older model mobile homes.?

Question

size is 32" & the door is rivited in place.

Answer 1

The door itself is most likely riveted to the frame... it is intended to all come out in one piece, door and frame. If you look, you should see that the frame itself is screwed in place.

If you want to find someone to replace this for you, contact a local mobile home dealership, and ask about repairmen. Quite often, a manufacturer hires a contractor to go around and take care of their warranty service (I did this myself for several years), while other manufacturers run their own service crews. The dealer may also have someone who could change out your door.

Two other sources.... your local hardware store - they may have a bulletin board of local contractors business cards, or, a local mobile home supply store. They may also know of someone in the area doing mobile home repair work. At the very least, you may be able to post a notice, asking for someone who can do the job.

Changing exterior doors really isnt that difficult. Basic tools needed are a screwgun, caulkgun, prybar, and something to remove the interior trim, and replace it, afterwards (I use a pneumatic bradnailer).

The first thing to do, is verify you have the correct replacement door, lol.... you dont want to go to all the trouble of pulling out the existing door, only to find that the new one is 2 inches too tall, lol.

Start out by removing the trim from the inside. This lets you see where there are any screws that were placed thru the frame, into the stud opening.

Now you get to remove the hardware (door closer, and usually a screw or two thru the latch receiver). Typically, the center screw on each hinge goes thru to the stud opening, the other 2 screws, are USUALLY, just short screws securing the hinge to the jamb. Once you have all the screws removed that were holding the INSIDE of the door frame in place, you can move outside, and remove those screws around the frame itself. Sometimes, these screws are hidden by a small piece of removable trim.

Pull the old door out of the opening, and clean off the opening, removing any old caulk, raised staples, etc.

Installation of the new door is pretty much straight-forward. Dry fit the door first -- stick it in the opening, to double check the fit. This will let you know of any problem areas, before you actually secure the door. Do NOT remove any of the clips or brackets that are holding the new door to its frame-- those are there to help keep the door square.

When you are ready, then apply a generous bead of caulk -- I like to caulk the frame opening, and the bottom of the door frame. Set the door in place. A second pair of hands and eyes should be helping you with this -- while I could do a door replacement by myself, it's much easier for someone new to it, to have a helper. Someone inside the home, needs to check the placement of the door, to make sure it is square. If the door is in a bind now... it will be a problem later. Shim wherever you need a little support (hinges, latch receiver, etc), then shoot your screws thru the face of the door frame. Once that is done, you are ready to put the screws and hardware back into the jambs. Last of all, remove any shipping clips, or brackets.

You should be able to this project in a day, with no problem at all. I could replace a door by myself, in about an hour, but Ive had a LOT of practice, and have all the tools, hehehe.

Have Fun!

Answer 2

Being a journeyman carpenter, and having worked as an R.V. technician, make people harass me fairly hard, when they have these kind of problems. It can be difficult. Typically a rivet is removed by drilling it out. With the imformation you provide, I cannot help you much beyond that. However, I know of no resource available to help us in our problems. Try a R.V. repair facility, they may also, be able to help you.

Answer 3

the question is riviting as well