Why do I get all the goofy ones?

hr

look up mobile home dealers, repairs, movers, suppliers, etc.

Often times the guys that haul and place mobiles are the same guys that skirt them.

Send her, or go to any mobile home "court" subdivision, and ask the residents for names and contacts. Most permanent year around MH's are skirted and insulated.

Some of the discount home centers have skirt packages, around here. Do you have Sutherlands, Pay and Packs, CHC's or any of the chain discount builder suppliers?

Bulletin boards at the grocery stores and feed stores around here have ads for that type of handyman also.

The local newspaper or Big Nickel ads is another good spot to look.

hot rod

<A HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=144&Step=30">To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"</A>

John Starcher_4

Went to a job today......

...the client has a mobile home (there's LOTS of 'em here!) that has previously been a summer only residence. She lives here full time now, and called me to see if I could make any recommendations for making it year round capable. I drive there thinking about the normal things: make sure the furnace is in good shape, check for unprotected water lines underneath, etc.

To my surprise, I find that there is NO insulation under this place. At some point, someone completely removed what I refer to as the "underbelly" - the vapor barrier and insulation normally found under these homes. ALL the water lines and drain lines are exposed now.

The client shows me a huge pile of 2" foam board, and says she planned on installing it all around the inside of the trailer skirting. I told her that I don't know if that will be sufficient or not. R value wise, it would probably be ok?? but I mentioned to her about preventing cold air infiltration, especially during high wind events which can be common here. I actually thought about spraying Icynene all around the inside of the skirting (leaving an access door, of course), but if any of the skirting is ever damaged, I don't know if you could remove it or not!!

I think I'm going to suggest that she contact an insulation contractor, but thought I would post this here to see if any of you have had a similar experience.

Thanks in advance,

Starch

Maine Doug_65

Maybe send this one

to Disney to meet Mickey.

John Starcher_4

Reminds me of a joke....

....where Micky Mouse goes to see a therapist because he's worried that Minnie is cheating on him.

"Is she acting strangely?" the doctor asks.

"Strangely? She's %$#@&amp;* Goofy" Micky replies.......

hr

mobile homes abound

in this area also.

There are companies that actually specialize in skirting, and some add pitched roof upgrades. I'd have her shop for someone that has the skills and products to get er done, properly.

hot rod

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

John Starcher_4

I agree....

...HR, I just don't know where to send her!

Edward A. (Ed) Carey_3

Watch OUT

John,

If you leave the underside of the home exposed, and create a sealed skirt around the bottom, you will essentially be creating an unventilated crawl space, with no means of moisture removal. You could end up with a rain forest under that home, and a moldy mess.

There are Mobile Home companies that could help her. There are also companies that specialize in crawl space insulation and moisture control.

Let them take care of here building needs, and be responsible for the job. You can do all of the Plumbing and HVAC items to prep her for year round.

Everyone is happy and you don't have a monkey on you back later.

My $00.02

Ed Carey

John Starcher_4

Good advice, Ed!

Just to be clear, I have no intention of involving myself in the insulation portion of this job, but I hear what you're saying, and it is sage advice!

Good point on the moisture issue. Question, though - if the skirting is sealed well, and the underside of the trailer is left uninsulated, why not install something like a barometric damper to allow air to escape the "crawlspace" and cut a small grill into the main furnace trunk. Would this provide adequate ventilation to keep moisture at bay?

Unknown

From Firedragon's site

http://www.aaa.ab.ca/pages/members/documents/airpressure_002.pdf

jp_2

problem

though the skirt is insulated, the slab is not, will act as a big cold sink in the winter. in early summer it will still be cold, with higher summer air humidity you'll have a big damp a slab. worst than a tradition damp summer basement.

John Starcher_4

JP -

I appreciate what you're saying, but (assuming the space can be insulated and sealed), what would the difference be with this scenario compared to an insulated crawlspace sitting on an on-grade slab? What if a vapor barrier is installed over the existing slab. Do you still see a problem?

Starch

Edward A. (Ed) Carey_3

Under a MH

John,

The underside of a MH is usual well insulated and sealed tight as a drum, to keep any moisture from beneath, from getting up into the living space.

If the underside of the MH is now open, you have a completely different design that the MH mfg originally planned for.

I would suggest that the homeowner get a crawl space contractor, (that is a specialty trade) to look over the area and properly seal & insulate it for year round use.

Do a search on the web for crawl space contractor such as the link below. This is not a recommendation of the contractor, it is just and example of one such contractor.

http://www.thecrawlspaceteam.com/encapsulationsystems.shtml

Don't try to re-invent the wheel on this one.


Good Luck,

Ed Carey

John Starcher_4

Thank you, Ed!

I will pass that along to the homeowner. Sounds like exactly what she needs!

jp_2

seems usually

those mobile home slabs are a bit bigger than the trailer, so the perimeter would be in contact with the ground/weather.

thats where I think the problem would come from, Ed has good point too.

John Starcher_4

Thanks to everyone....

.....as usual, for the excellent advice.

I spoke with the homeowner today, and gave her some recommendations of insulating contractors to talk to. I also referred her to the encapsulation company, although the closest office is about 5 hours from here.

Thanks again!

Starch