mobile home dropped floor problems

[Melissa]

We purchased a manufactured home, In dec 1993. It was ordered and delivered in Jan 1994. Upon delivery the homes back 1/2 was dropped by the dealer. We have photos. The manufacturer was notified several times about the loose board in the floor. They said it wasn't because of being dropped. well it was dropped 2 times total it slid off the wood logs the tried to prop it up on the 2nd time. The people that
came to check out the floor said they didn't see anything but its got worse. its the only spot like it in the house. It still hasn't been 10 years yet to file anything but no one will check it out for us at all no one will get involved that knows what they are looking for under neath our home. Is there anyone out there that can help that lives in the near area of Brighton, Illinois this is my only home I need to know. Please anyone rsvp

[rmurray]

I do not know who you are waiting on...but NO ONE warranties a home for 10 years...If there was a floor material warranty...the flooring company only warrantied delamination...and then materials only...no labor or damages...

Candidly...I think it is time you realized..homeownership has responsibilities...and this loose floor is now one of yours....Obviously your haome has performed well otherwise..This is a small problem that you can have someone care for easily..

[Melissa]

You don't understand when the home was brought in it was dropped 2 times and we have mentioned this floor board being soft since the beginning. Our home warrenty was 1 year, but we have tried to get the company to acknowledge the problem in the 1st year and they say they can't find anything. and we can't even get someone to look at it. If it turns out to be a legal battle to get it fixed we have to file before the home is 10 years old. the Attorney said we had to get proof of damage to file. But we need someone that knows what the manufactured home structure looks like We think the frame is bent and they refuse to acknowledge this. Actually its the lots drivers fault they dropped it. How do we get someone to look at this soon. before time runs out. This is not any better it just keeps getting worse. We need intellegent help to look at this soon to let us know what the problem is and if we are wrong or right on what we think the problem is. Thank You Melissa, Can you help.

[rmurray]

First...if there is an arguement..it is with the dealer..not the manufacturer...Is the dealer still in business...if so you might be lucky..
It is highly unlikely that a "bent frame" would cause the floor to be soft...Much more likely is moisture and its long term effects..

I would expect that you have had folks in to "check" this out and have not gotten the info you had hoped to hear...The only way to diagnose a problem would be to see the home...check the level...check the floor..on and on..You will need to pay a profession service person to come and check out your home...diagnose its problems if any and develope a repair stadagy and estimate..

For a "bent" frame to actually cause floor damage..it would be very apparent to a quick visual inspection..Remember frames are built with some flexabilty on purpose...It is not unusual for a home to require releveling over time..especially if there are no puored concrete footers..which were not common 10 years ago...

I have 1 question...has the attorney offered to take this case on contingency...or is he asking for up front fees..if so no matter what is wrong with you home..it would cost less to fix it than pay him..

[Melissa]

I agree but the floor has a crease across where its comming thru the leonolum, the houase is on a standard footing as well as piers -blocked up as well. you know a foundation . I would be estatic if the home isn't damaged from its dropping. But I've tried to get someone out here to look with no avail. nthey all say they don't work on manufactured homes. the dealers that do won't look at it so i guess its a set up and no longer deal with . I just wish i could get someone to look at it in depth so it can be repaired at least . Have anyone thats in southern Illinois you know interested in working on it thanks Melissa Just want knowledgable help at a fair price

[Carol]

Melissa,
I, too, live in a state where no one will work on MH. This is the main reason I am moving to another state. However, if you need an expert to check your house, I recommend a licensed engineer. They will explain the problem, write and sign a report and you will absolutely know, without a doubt, what the problem is.
You can contact the Illinois Engineering Society for a recommendation. I hope this works out for you.
Carol
P.S. Have you checked with your insurance company to see if this is covered?

[rmurray]

Your description is getting a little easier to understand...
What you mention is a floor seam...These were not uncommon and were considered normal....This is the area between 2 pieces of floor decking...this decking is not tounge and grooved as many floors are now...One of the seams has become apparent...probably under the carpet there are more...

Floor seam repairs are only a cosmetic item...not a structural item and were not covered under many warranties...Fixing them is not too hard to do....but the floor covering will have to be replaced....as a matter of fact..very high quality floor covering might very well cover the seam with no other work necessary...Worse case senario involves removal of the floor covering, nailing the floor down and/or bracing it from the underside and sanding the offending area..then recovering the floor with quality floor covering...but as I said...many time...High qaulity floor covering will cover the problem and all would be well..

You might ask Tracy on the Repair board here for advise on floor seams....or go to www.mobilehomerepair.com and post a question about them in the forum there...Be sure to mention all the facts..age of the home could be important..

As far as finding service person to work on homes....the best place to find them is at a local dealer or parts seller...Dealer service folks are not working much overtime now and often do this kind of work on the weekends...Good Luck

[Melissa]

This sounds logical I'll have to roll the lenolium out and take a closer look , then let you know

[Jerry Lenhard]

Try contacting your town/city code enforcement dept. Call a Real Estate
attorney. Call your local Federal & State Legislators. Better yet, visit their
offices & file "written" complaints. There may be a "Statute of Limitations",
so get going. Stop trying to deal with the manufacturer as they'll string you
along until the time allowed to file a complaint (legally) runs out.