Floor Specifications

[Loretta]

I have a Redman manufactured home. It was built at Plant #17 on 8/19/99. The number on it is: #17-00-355-00336.

I incurred a small leak under my kitchen sink, which seeped under my vinyl flooring and now it's squishy in spots. I have to have the floor replaced and was wondering what thickness of plywood and fiberboard is involved. Hopefully I won't have to have the sub-flooring replaced, just the fiberboard under the vinyl. Wouldn't you think so??

I was quite surprised that there is NO water turnoffs under the sinks throughout the home, only for the commodes.

Thank you,
Loretta

[Tom]

Loretta,

Shut off valves are an optional choice when buying a new MH. Unfortunately, Dealers often fail to mention this.

MH manufacturers use (in most cases) 5/8 inch OSB (Oriented Strand Board) or similar products for sub flooring. They also use 1/8 inch fiber or plywood underlayment for smooth surface under the vinyl. You may have to replace section of sub-floor, depends on whether the water leaked through the underlayment.

[rmurray]

Sounds to me like you have the pressboard floor..Small amounts of water cause server damage which will require replacement..

Most homes have 3/4 inch pressboard...but some use 15/16 which is hard to find locally..

There is a great book offered in the bookstore here..."The Manual for Manufactured Home Repair & Upgrade"

It has much good info for owners and maintenence..The cut and paste address below will take you right there..



https://ssl.xpr.com/mfdhousing/mfdcart/ ... air&sesid=

[David Murry]

The manufactures I have checked on so far use 19/32 sob board for the floor. The sob board trade association recomends 23/32 sob board. I guess the hud code is 19/32. until the manufactured housing industry starts building homes that are consumer friendly and will actually go up in price instead of always down they will only have a small share of the market.
I would write a letter to the CEO of the company you purchased the trailer from and ask him why you were not informed shut off valves were an additional charge.
I would aslo write a few other people and complain to them.
david

[rmurray]

You need to get your self up to speed about manufactured homes...The respected group..Consumers Union (publisher of Consumer Reports Magazine) has done a comprehensive study about appreciation..depreciation in manufactured home...The study is 44 pages long but is good reading for those who care to be accurate in their statements...

Basic concluesion...Manufactured homes with land appreciate essentially the same as stick built over time...About 3.5% per year in the areas studied..Mostly Texas..but quotes are also for other areas of the country..none in CA..The study encompasses thousands of resales of homes and manufactured homes...Read it..

www.consumersunion.org/pdf/mh/Appreciation.pdf

[Loretta]

I want to thank everyone for their input. It's much appreciated.
Loretta