belly blanket

[Terri]

I have a mobile home with a damaged belly blanket(the vapor barrier with insulation) would this contribute to our frozen pipes or is it separate matter altogether?

[rmurray]

Yes..The insulation and underboard should be replaced...

[David Oxhandler]

Once you replace any insulation that any have fallen out  you can purchase rolled vapor barrier material called Bottom Board by MH repair people and install it from below, stapling it to the bottom of the floor joist so it supports the insulation. You can find bottom board products at The Mobile Home Parts Store For details about installing insulation and important safety tips see How to Install Fiberglass Insulation and Crawl Space Insulation, from the U.S. Dept of Energy.   A great book that covers all facets of manufactured home repair,  The Manual for Manufactured Home Repair & Upgrade   ... Available in print version and now also in e-book version for instant download.

[David Oxhandler]

The Belly board serves to support the insulation that is under the floor.  This  makes the home much more energy efficient than one with nothing between the floor and the soil,  Be sure  the plumbing that runs thru the floors is on the warm side of the insulation to help protect from freezing in winter. So additional insulation is most times installed from below... The BB also is a vapor barrier that prevents moisture from settling in the floor space and becoming mold.   Installing Belly bd is not a difficult task if you can get under the home comfortably  Once you have installed new insulation. purchase rolled vapor barrier material (Bottom Board) install it by stapling it to the bottom of the floor joist so it supports the insulation. You can find bottom board products at The Mobile Home Parts Store For details about installing insulation and important safety tips see How to Install Fiberglass Insulation and Crawl Space Insulation, from the U.S. Dept of Energy.    If your interested in blowing new insulation into your manufactured home see   3 VIDEOS: Adding Insulation To Your Manufactured Home