New Prefab Home Basics: 2 Must-Have Upgrades
When purchasing and installing a new manufactured home, two upgrades are recommended. They are installing a vapor barrier and earthquake booster. Each is explained here:
Vapor barrier for mobile homes
A mobile or manufactured home vapor barrier is a thick, rubbery plastic sheet that is placed directly on the ground under a mobile or manufactured home. Then the foundation pillars rest on this barrier.
You really need to make sure that a home that you buy or have installed has this protection. Mobile and manufactured homes need dry ventilation underneath. This barrier will prevent moisture from damaging the home, especially floor rot, but it will also help with fungus, mold, and termites.
It is absolutely necessary to make sure you install a vapor barrier before purchasing a mobile or manufactured home. And the additional cost is minimal considering the amount of protection you get.
If you are buying a mobile or manufactured home that is already in a space, but without a vapor barrier, you can hire a contractor to install a vapor barrier under the home. They will only have to cut pieces that will go around the base of the pillar and post and all the pipes in place. This is not ideal, but it is much better than having no barriers.
Mobile Home Earthquake Reinforcement
Earthquake bracing is recommended in California, and earthquakes are common elsewhere. Mobile homes and manufactured homes are especially susceptible to earthquake damage due to their foundation system (most often installed on a pier and post system).
Earthquake bracing is a simple upgrade that can increase the value of your home by at least the cost of installing the bracing. This cost ranges from $ 2000 to $ 4500 in California right now. The actual clamp is like a shock absorber on a car, but is installed at an angle to the steel I-beam at the bottom of the house and anchored to the ground. This clamp will prevent the house from slipping off the dock base and post.
Insurance companies may insist on installing earthquake bracing if you want to purchase earthquake insurance on your mobile home or manufactured home.
Earthquake bracing can also help keep a mobile home from falling off the foundation in high winds, although it is not designed to do this and should not be relied on for this.
Pictures and more explanations of these two updates, as well as a wealth of free information, tips, advice and recommendations can be found at: http://www.free-mobile-home-info.com.
