Consumer Reports information on mh

[john gormley]

Anybody familiar with the quality of Commodore Homes?
Anybody know how to get Consumer Reports information on mh?
Thanks

[Charlotte Maness]

I'll see what I can do for you guys.

[Charlotte Maness]

We'll see if this works, if not at least I tried.

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February 1998

House wears How to avoid weak spots in manufactured homes


Floor Problem: The particleboard subfloors found in many mobile homes can swell when wet and break down over time. One-fourth of our survey respondents experienced some of these problems.

Solution: Choose a home built with plywood subfloors, or pay a few hundred dollars more to upgrade to plywood where possible. Because you will be less likely to encounter potentially large repair bills, plywood can be the more economical choice in the long term. Keep an eye especially on the flooring beneath windows and around doors for damp carpeting or uneven linoleum--evidence of water.



Durable Plywood subfloors are more water-resistant than those made of particleboard.

Central heating and cooling

Problem: Improper placement of registers
can result in uneven heating and cooling of
the home. More than one-fifth of our survey
respondents reported having had problems
with these systems.

Solution: Choose a system appropriate for
the climate where you live, paying attention to the kind of fuel--oil, gas, or electricity--you'll be likely to use, and its cost. If you live in a temperate or warm
part of the country and will be heating with electricity, a heat pump will help lower your electric bills. Cooling outlets should be
located in the ceiling. If you reside in a colder region, a gas or oilfurnace may provide more economical heating. Look, too, for a home with heat outlets located along the exterior walls. That placement will be less likely to result in obstructed heat flow--and more likely to provide even heating.

Plumbing

Problem: Polybutylene piping with mechanical fittings may leak. In the kitchens and bathrooms of lower-cost models, cheap
plastic sinks, tubs, and shower enclosures aren't as durable as porcelain fixtures used in many site-built homes. Many manufactured homes lack shutoff valves at every plumbing fixture, making service less convenient. Thirty-six percent of our survey respondents reported having had problems with plumbing during the time they owned their home.

Solution: If your budget permits, find a model that comes equipped with higher-grade acrylic or porcelain fixtures, especially for high-use plumbing such as in the kitchen or master bathroom. Conduct periodic inspections of, around, and under all plumbing fixtures for early signs of leaks. And don't forget to look for evidence of water leaking beneath the home, as well. Have any leaks repaired quickly, because the subfloors can be easily destroyed by exposure to water. Choose a home equipped with shutoff valves at each fixture for a quick, convenient way to stop water flow, particularly in an emergency.

Roof

Problem: Seams common in metal roofs, spots where a roof ends flush with a house's exterior walls, and points where pipes protrude through any roof are potential leak spots. Thirty-one percent of our respondents reported having had roof problems.

Solution: Homes with shingle-roof construction may be more
durable and less prone to leakage problems. Look, too, for a roof with eaves that overhang the exterior sidewalls. Not only do
overhangs reduce the risk of water seepage, the larger ones provide greater protection from driving rains and the hot summer sun.

Windows and doors

Problem: Gaps between windows and doors and the walls in which they are placedare filled with caulking material at the factory,but transportation may break the seal. Low-quality windows often have corners joined with fasteners instead of a continuous weld, creating more gaps that air and water can leak through. Thirty-two percent of our respondents experienced leaking windows and doors.

Solution: Look for a home with welded vinyl windows and insulated glass. Insulated steel or fiberglass doors provide cost-effective weather barriers. Maintain weather stripping around windows and doors and the home's exterior to keep out the elements.



Foundation Problem: If the home is supported directly by surface soil, where normal freezing and rainfall can cause the structure to settle, cracks may develop in walls, and windows and doors may be difficult to open.

Solution: An enclosed permanent foundation is the best choice. Otherwise, have soil analyzed for load-bearing capacity.
Footings and piers on which the load of the
home sits should be sized to transmit
weight to the soil without exceeding those
limits. In cold regions, footings should be
below the frost line. The ground should be
graded to direct water flow away from the
home.


Stable Footings below the soil surface (top) are superior to jacks.


Warmer Heat registers placed against outer walls promote even heating throughout the home. Vents in the middle of rooms are easily
obstructed, blocking hot-air flow.

Convenient Ideally, each major plumbing fixture should have shutoff valves.

Protective Eaves block rain, sun.


Tight Welded window corners avoid gaps that let in wind and rain.

[john gormley]

Charlotte:

Thanks so much for your reply. I thought maybe Consumer Reports had a special issue just on comparisons of mh. But your info will be really helpful.

Thanks again.

John

[john gormley]

Charlotte:

Thanks so much for your reply. I thought maybe Consumer Reports had a special issue just on comparisons of mh. But your info will be really helpful.

Thanks again.

John

[Threnody]

"The ground should be graded to direct water flow away from the home."

They showed this on the Homestead video I had to watch. I will be crawling underneath the home to make sure the setup crew have done this, that's for sure.

[Charlotte Maness]

This is what I found at Consumer Reports, and it is a "freebe" as well, no membership needed as I remember. Glad to have been able to help.