Leaking Water Heater Problems

[Randall B Vaughn]

Dear Chrissy, I have been a follower and a fan of yours for quite some time .I continue to have a problem with water heater leaks in mobile homes and I was wondering if you knew of anyone else in the industry has had this problem.I am in the community business and have five parks and as you know we are having to purchase homes for resale. It seems that every one we purchase ,even if it is only a couple of years old the water heater invaribly springs a leak and we are embarrased to have sold the home. Why don't the manufacturers spend three more dollars and install a drain pan under the heater at the factory as the home is being built ? This would save thousands of dollars in damage to the home. As you know the home can never be fully repaired after a leaking water has saturated the carpet,subfloor and insulation not to mention putting so much weight on the underside belly fabric. Could not the insurers demand of the manufacturers some small amount of protection for the consmers and reduce their own liability at the same time by demanding these three dollar pans. ?I am really tired of spending hours installing these drain pans under these water heaters to protect these homes that I am selling when it could be done so much easier at the factory. Who can we contact about this problem or is it only my problem. OF course the manufacturers will now wonder if we are going to ask if the next thing we want will be something besides plastic sinks and faucets .I had to replace two faucets today in a 2002 model home. PS we have sent some of our managers to your classes on Community management and they really gained some insight into the management aspects . Thanks

[David Oxhandler]

Hello Randall

I operate a small community and have seen the problem your referring to. When we renovate our homes for new owners or tenants we always start by going thru the plumbing and electric systems and updating and repairing any problems. It is a good practice that will cost you a small amount but will pay off very nicely. You will sell a home that will problem free in those areas and that you can have the confidence that the home will reflect well on you and your community.

[Chrissy Jackson]

As David suggests, it is a requirement to just fix it yourself, as we do in our own community. However, if you want to bring it to the attention of manufacturers, I suggest you contact Mark Nunn at the Manufactured Housing Institute at 2101 Wilson Blvd, Suite 610, Arlington, VA 22201-3062.

[Randall B Vaughn]

Thanks for the reply David. I am trying to start a grass roots effort to require the Manufacturers to automatically install these pans. It is rediculous that this has to be done especially after so many homes have been damaged. It would cost very little if done in the factory. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[Randall B Vaughn]

Thanks for the reply Chrissy. I have been repairing these damaged homes and installing pans under the heaters on all the homes we sell in our communities already. My point and question is "Why should we have to do this and correct a built in manufacturing problem ? " The manufacturer knows that the useful life of a water heater is about one tenth the life expectantcy of a mobile home if the water heater never leaks. The useful life of a mobile home when the water heater does leak and cause damage is about two thirds as long as the home that has not had water damage from a leaking water heater . I think that all of the damage that is done to a mobile home by water heater leakage can be prevented by the installation of a pan under the water heater at the point of manufacture of the home and at a very very small cost. This simple $ four dollar investment would prevent thousands and thousands of dollars in damages to the consumer and insurance companies. I think if enough people in the industry speak out on this matter we could get the attention of the manufacturers . You say you have repaired the homes you sell . I'm sure then that you can agree that these repairs are very costly and we as repairmen can never fully restore a home that has been damaged by water .R.B.Vaughn

[Charlie Taylor]

Randall,

You go, man! Keep up the fight for the water heater pans!

As you are aware, the homes I sell, Horton Homes, do come equipped with a water heater pan. Anytime you can find a used Horton to put in one of your parks, you are on the right track.

Come see me sometime.

Charlie Taylor

[John Busic]

My factory in Buda, Texas is currently gearing up for the new HUD code changes that does, in fact, require newly built manufactured homes to have a drain pan provided under the water heater. This revision to the "3280" code goes into affect in mid-May.

John E.A. Busic
Engineering Manager, Palm Harbor Homes
Buda, Texas