vapor barrier

[paul]

i just purchased a 2005 champion, home of legends, and as they were setting the home up i ask if they were going to put a moisture barrier under the home and they said they haven't done that in years, but i could do it if i wanted. they claimed i was better of with not having the barrier. is the norm or was they just getting out of doing something that would help protect the home from moisture and mildew. i thought that i read in the forum that this was required by hud, but i could be wrong. the home is in mississippi. any information will be greatly appreciated

paul

[rmurray]

You have the answer to you8r question right in your owners manual....Of course this is not a Homes of Legend problem but the dealer who sold and set the home...

If your owners manual calls for a vapor barrier it should be there....PERIOD...no matter what the good old boys who set your home say......Most likely no barrier...no warranty on moisture related problems....

[Jerry]

Any home [stick built, modular, or manufactured] that is built on a crawl space is required by code to have 6 mil black plastic installed in my area. My builder did not put it in untill the last, when he installed the 1" foam inside the crawl walls. You want to get all the major work done under there first so you don't subject the plastic to needless traffic. LIke Murray said, your builder is trying to pull the wool over your eyes.

[David Oxhandler]

Covering the ground under a manufactured home with a vapor barrier is an excellent idea in some parts of the country but, depending oon soil conditions, can be counterproductive in other areas. In central Florida where we have excellent drainage in most places it is not even a consideration.

Business participants and home owners - please submit below and tell us where you live and if installing a vapor barrier is customary.

[Mac]

Pacific NW homeowner (rainy side of Cascades) - moist clay in winter, dry in summer - a vapor barrier is required; also, we leave crawlspace vents open year-round, as the temp rarely drops below freezing and ventilation is paramount.

[ray]

I would be reluctant to put the builders plastic down for fear of getting mold under the plastic if any moisture ever got under it. With the vents open and air moving under the dwelling would be my choice. I found out the hard way when I put plastic under my deck with pea gravel on top of it, I have since removed the plastic and used just pea gravel. I hope that you find this helpful.

[jackreynolds]

how do i level this home.