Mobile Homes and Moisture Issues

2/4/2020 (Permalink)

February 5^th, 2020

Mobile Homes and Moisture Issues

According to an article published in 2009, which uses a United States Census Report, more than 56% of the mobile homes in the nation are located in the southern states. Tie this with the abundance of moisture in the ground, therein arises many opportunities for mold to form in and around the mobile home. Let’s take a moment to understand the dynamics which set the stage for mold growth in mobile homes, then discuss how you can potentially minimize/prevent unnecessary mold growth in your home. 

Mobile homes by design (recent ones manufactured anytime after 2000) secure the insulation, water lines, electric lines, and HVAC ducts installed underneath the flooring of the home with a heavy duty plastic (vapor barrier). This plastic lining is there to protect the underside of the home, especially the wood flooring, from vapor rising up from the moist ground beneath it. In the South, as noted above, we have an abundance of both moisture in the ground, which results in the excessive humidity levels we experience. This plastic vapor barrier pre-installed on your home, also has a negative side effect, in that it hides slow leaks which may arise from poor fabrication or wear and tear. These leaks absorb first into the insulation, then begin to trickle down, pooling in a low spot it finds within the vapor barrier. During this course of time, humidity levels trapped between the vapor barrier and the floor sets the perfect stage for mold growth throughout the underside of your home. The spores from this growth eventually finds its way into your home as it grows up through the pores in the flooring and walls.  

Preventative Measures You Can Take and What to Report to SERVPRO of LBL North

• Routinely check under your home. Inspect the vapor barrier for sagging spots, which could lead to a slow leak
• Identify why moisture has accumulated at that spot and where it originated from
• Once the source has been identified and the leak eliminated, what path did the water take from the source to the location in which you found it

It is important that you inspect the vapor barrier of your home at least twice a year. Any vapor barrier that is altered (purposefully or unintentional), should be replaced/repaired as soon as possible so as to stop outside humidity levels from permitting mold to grown on all porous materials under the home. Mold can potentially negatively affect your air quality, and the integrity of your home. Call SERVPRO of LBL North anytime you detect moisture or mold in your home at (270) 753-1160.

References:

Manufactured Housing Research Alliance. 2000. "Moisture problems in manufactured homes; understanding their causes and finding solutions." United States Department of Housing and Urban Development . Accessed February 04, 2020. https://www.huduser.gov/portal/publications/moisture.pdf.

Yousef, Hibah. 2009. Most mobile homes are in the south- Census. September 23rd. Accessed February 04, 2020. https://money.cnn.com/2009/09/22/real_estate/mobile_homes/index.htm.