moisture barriers on grond under home

[stekow1111]

A freind of mine said that if a manufactured home is placew in an area where it rains quite a bit, that the home should have a moisture barrier on the ground beneath the home in additon to the one attached the the home under neath. He went on to say that with out the ground barrier, if it rains, some of the moisture in and in and on the grond will soak into the earth. While the rest will evaporate. He said when water evaporates it rises thus causing codensation and corrosion on the underside of the home. He said a ground battier under the home made of crushed stone and plastic over the stone would help reduce this problem. Can anyonr here confirm or deny this. I also wanted to ask how effective the skirrting is for keep rain water away from directly under the home. Does the skirtting play any roll at all except for appearance of the home?

thanks

Jerry

[David Oxhandler]

Hello Jerry -

Your question is one that concerns many homeowners. Skirting will not stop the flow of water under your home. Most skirting systems sit on grade (ground level) if your home is on an incline and water sits outside the skirting for any time it will probably seep in under the skirting.

Skirting not only makes your home look better but it also keeps out small creatures (cats, dogs, snakes, mice etc) that might otherwise nest under your home. Additionally skirting will help to keep the area under the home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Skirting could prevent frozen or broken pipes in cold climates.

The answer about a vapor barrier on the ground depends on the soil type below your home. We live in North central Florida, where the soil is very sandy and has a zero perk rate. Water here perks into the ground and vanishes almost always as fast it hits ground.

In many parts of the county there is now a requirement for a vapor barrier to be installed on the ground when a new MH is installed. BUT - they also require that the installer prep the site so that water will flow from the high end to the low end under the home and won't just sit on top of the vapor barrier. Check with your local building permit department to find out what is recommended in your area.

If the ground below your home is NOT graded for water flow, the addition of a ground vapor barrier could trap water under the home, causing the very problems you are hoping to eliminate or worse.

The next time you get a substantial rain fall check under your home to see how long it takes for the ground to dry out. All skirting systems require venting. The number and placement of the vents will vary depending on the local climate. If your home has been in place for a number of years and you have not seen any problems under the home, I would not be concerned.

Over the last 10 years every state in the country has adopted licensing for installers. Some of the reasons for this are the very issues that are concerning you. If you find mold, excessive rust, or just standing water under the home consult with a local licensed MH installer. They will be best equipped to help you resolve these problems.

[stekow1111]

Thank.s for your input Dave. We won't be ordering the home till Feb. Hopefully move in during April. Right now Im gathering info. Mostly from this very informative website.

Thank you very much.

Jerry

[stekow1111]

Hi Dave.

Iv'e notice some manu-homes with gutter and down spoits. Do you think they would be worth the optional cost for helping to control overall moisture problems.

thanks.

Jerry

[David Oxhandler]

If you home's roof has no overhang, gutters and downspouts will help stop rain water from running off the roof and down the siding. If you do install gutters you need to keep the gutters clear and clean. If gutters are neglected and fill up with leaves and dirt they can force water to back up on to the roof and will cause leaks.

If you have a factory original metal roof be sure the installer has some experience with manufactured homes. The factory metal roof will require a different installation than a more conventional roof.

Plan the downspouts to send the water where it will not just run under the home. I have seen some that just dump at the corner of the home causing more intense flow under the home that can undermine the foundation piers.

The ultimate fix today is a metal (galvalume) roof over. When we installed the metal on the roof of my home we extended the new metal three inches past the roof edge, which is he maximum suggested where we live in the Florida hurricane zone. If you live in a calmer climate you may be able to have a greater overhang.

You have a lot of choices today when you re-roof. See this item in our free article section

[stekow1111]

Does anyone know if larger double wide homes are any more susepyable to leveling problem than smaller double wides? Ex28x70 vs 28x56..

[David Oxhandler]

All structures are subject to settlement. Homes become un-level when settlement is uneven (greater in one area of the home then others). The size of the home is not significant. The degree of settlement depends on the compaction of the soil under the home plus the number and spacing of foundation piers.

On some soil types uneven settlement is unavoidable. Re-leveling the home is a relativity simple and inexpensive job. Take a look at the Releveling Kit from Aberdeen Repair

You should NOT try to level your home by yourself. The operations involved in jacking and raising the home can be very dangerous and should be attempted only by experienced individuals.

the Releveling Kit from Aberdeen Repair includes complete step-by-step instructions and a waterline level. Use these instructions and the enclosed waterline level to determine whether or not your home is out of level. You will also use this information to become a better-informed consumer and give yourself the upper hand when it comes to hiring a contractor to do the job, or requesting home warranty service.

The detailed instructions will show you how to do the following: learn the causes of why your home becomes unlevel learn how to set-up, calibrate and read a waterline level determine where your home is unlevel and by how much learn what to watch-out for before, during and after releveling your home learn proper jack placement learn how your contractor should safely jack-up your home