Issues with manufactured homes, single, doublewide - continuing

​Almost all manufactured homes or trailer homes I’ve inspected, had the same defect.

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We all know that moisture will damage or destroy building materials and create all kinds of problems.
A good home should be built with materials and techniques that minimize or eliminate moisture problems. It is very critical to have a good working moisture barrier on the subfloor; especially if it’s built over a dirt floor or a bad installed ground moisture barrier, which is most likely the case.
Manufactured homes have a factory installed moisture barrier on the floor. It’s the black plastic you see.

​​If you have a double wide, the seam at the moisture barrier is usually taped; as well as all damages and openings. Unfortunately, this is quite often overlooked, or the tape fails. The result is, your floor insulation hangs down and this area is not insulated anymore. Insects have access to the floor area and the interior of the modular home, and of course moisture. 

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​Moisture from the ground or the crawlspace enters this area and turns into small water drops. Wet insulation, wet subfloor, material deterioration and mold are very common. Over time it will result in costly repairs and sometimes even a total loss.
Also, where the moisture barrier is not closed and the insulation hangs down, water lines are exposed to freezing temperatures. The energy loss during heating and cooling season is not nice, but it’s one of the smaller problems you’ll face. 

​Defects like this are going unnoticed for a long time, because nobody really wants to go in a crawlspace. This is why you need a good home inspector, who’s not afraid to enter, inspect and report defects. This is what we do!
A home inspection, or a limited inspection, should be arranged before you sign for a new construction, before you buy or even list a home, or after major repairs. There are no excuses, your money – your choice.
Our reports tell you what’s going and help you to make the right choice.