Negative Pressure

[Nancy]

My home was purchased new in Feb 2001. It is a 2001 Model home built Dec 2000. October of 2003 I noticed the walls were mush or "soft". Called the retailer I bought the home from, they sent someone out who sealed up the a/c vents. Then Jan 2004, they began to replace the panels. In late April they finally finished. Well, June I went to hang a picture up and almost put my hand through the wall. Starting checking all the walls again and started to get sick to my stomach. They are all wet again, with the execption of the master bedroom and bathroom. The pulls and switches have started to fall out of the wall with no way to fix it due to the walls being so wet. The a/c company came out and did some tests and found the a/c unit and vents are fine but there is negative pressure on the home.
The retailer said they would not replace the walls due to the amount of work involved and the fact that it would probably happen again. The service man that came out said the manufacturer will most likely not fix nor replace it due to the fact that he's currently working on 6 other homes with the same problem.
So, now I am at a lose and don't know what to do. I can not breathe. They did buy us a dehumidifier to run in the house to get the humidity down. I live around the Houston, Tx area so it is rather humid and hot here especially since it's 90+ degrees outside.
I just don't know who I need to call or what needs to be done. I don't think I would want the home replaced if they are having troubles with other models as well. I would hope they would give us back what we've put into it and let us out of the contract on the home.
I'm worried my 2 year old will mess with all the outlets and switches and shock himself. I really don't want him hurt. He almost fell through the wall already. It's worse than last time.
Thanks for listening.

[Tom]

If you are not putting the manufacturer on notice about this you should be. Keep documentation of your conversations, basically keep all paperwork and make notes. You might also consider bringing a lawyer in on this to do your negotiating for you, I would do this anyway to get advice. Go to this site and file a complaint HUD Complaints

You have to keep your head up and be persistant, threaten then with lawsuits, yell scream, whatever it takes to get their attention. Let them know your not going away until you get satisfaction. Tom

[Nancy]

Tom,
Thanks for your input. I've been looking for where to file a complaint all morning.
I've got some emails into lawyer offices today so maybe one will call me back.
Nan

[David Oxhandler]

If you have any complaints about the performance of your manufactured home that have not been resolved by the retailer where you purchased the home you should contact the manufacturer that produced the home. If the problems are left unresolved by the factory then you need to contact the state agency where you live that administers the federal code regulating manufactured housing. It is important to provide the following information with your complaint: First write a numbered list of all the problems. After you have listed each problem then list the dates and names of the people at the dealership and the manufacturer that you spoke to about the problems. Then list the dates that service men came to your home and what they did during that visit. Also be sure to include: Your name, address and a telephone number where you can be reached during the day The name of the manufacturer The serial number and model number of your home The HUD label number (the red tag on the back of the home) The date purchased The name of the retail business who sold you the home. Copies of any correspondence or contacts with the retailer and the manufacturer to resolve the problem. Make copies of this letter. Keep one and send a copy by Certified Mail Return Receipt to: -1- The Dealership where you purchased the home -2- The Manufacturer of the home -3- The Agency that regulates manufactured housing in your state. You can find the contact information for that agency on our site at www.manufactured-housing.net/saa Please let us know how you make out. Good Luck.

[Nancy]

Thanks for the info. My husband talked to the manufacturer today. They are giving the information to the engineers and see if there is anything they can do. We should know something in a few days. In the meantime, I am going to get started on my letter of complaint just in case.

They were asking what we set our a/c on. Well it never gets set lower than 73 however it gets up to 77 in the house and with the extra humidity, it feels lots hotter. The dehumidifier has to be emptied daily. It'a about a 1 gallon bucket.

I will update in a few days when the manufacturer gets back with us.

[rmurray]

You mi9ght want to check out this site..seems your are not the first with this problem..\

http://www.mhrahome.org/pages/moisture_field.htm

[Nancy]

I've read and re-read that report over the past month and I can not find where it states how the problem needs to be fixed. That is my main concern. The testing shows the moisture is leaking in through the tin. The insulation they used is the right thickness. there isn't any extra space. I am afraid the manufacturer isn't going to fix the house since the retailer already said they wouldn't do it again. The plugs and sockets are coming out of the walls and water is actually running out of them. I don't want my 2 year old to get shocked when he tries to turn the lights on.

I do thank everyone for the input and advise that has been given to me.

[rmurray]

Have you actually bought the full report?.....The info on the web site is only a small example of the full report...I think it costs about $70 for individuals and about $35 for member companies...Your manufacturer should have one if they are smart..

[trmimo]

I believe the a/c company is on the right track. They should have offered a solution to correct the negative pressure situation. I believe that your a/c and dehumidifier are not able to keep up with the influx of warm, moist air. You should consider having a professional hvac technician who is uninvolved with the situation come out and inspect your whole system including ductwork. You would have to pay for this, but sometimes it is the only way to get the whole story. This way no one is covering their behind. Your local utility company may offer this service at a reduced cost. If all else fails, call your insurance company and ask to have an adjuster come out and evaluate the situation. Your insurance company will usually light a fire under the parties involved to avoid paying a claim for the damage themselves. Also they have many more lawyers than you could ever afford to pay. They might even be willing to use their contractors to fix your house and then collect their costs from the manufacturer or a/c company or whoever is responsible.

[Nancy]

A few people wanted an update when I found something out.
I basically still do not know what's going on. The retailer said he has several homes even double wides that are doing the same thing.

However next week (thursday) the plant manager and the regional manager will be visiting the home to " look at it and discuss the options. " I am sick to my stomach thinking about it but I am prepared to hear them tell me I'm outta luck but will be thrilled if they fix it or get us into a new home.