If you’re thinking of buying a mobile home, a home inspection is essential to ensure that you’re making the correct selections and that the transaction goes smoothly.
You will be able to make an informed selection if you understand your purchasing power, dream house ideas, family demands, and other factors.
Purchasing a mobile home may be a time-consuming procedure. Unfortunately, this is frequently the case because no banks, dealers, or real estate agents are engaged to protect the buyer.
So, here are some things you need to check during mobile home inspections.
Foundation & Floorings
The foundation is the most significant difference between a mobile home and a standard home, which is why it should be the first issue you evaluate during your inspection.
Depending on local regulations, the portable home can be set on concrete blocks or piers. It’s also crucial to pay attention to pier spacing, which should be between 8 and 10 feet apart and include properly fastened ground anchors and ties.
Inspect concrete slabs for cracks and evidence of water leaks, as well as whether they are sinking into the earth.
In addition, if you don’t want to go into the crawl space because it’s too claustrophobic, the interior flooring can warn you if something is wrong.
Uneven flooring might signal that the piers are moving, while warped or sagging floors are one of the primary indicators that there may be difficulties underfoot.
In mobile homes, squeaky flooring and soft patches are typical, but they might also signal persistent water damage and decay.
Vapor Barrier
The vapor barrier in a mobile home serves as the first line of defense against the elements beneath the structure.
Since most mobile homes do not have a foundation, a vapor barrier is installed on the house’s base to keep moisture out.
This vapor barrier should be dark blue or black and run the constructed home’s underbelly length.
Make that there is no evidence of drooping, holes, or delamination on the vapor barrier; because any of these problems are present, there might be damage or moisture issues on the wood flooring above.
These problems may most likely be solved by stapling a new waterproof coating to the trailer’s bottom.
Windows & Doors
Check your doors and windows for any cracks. Moisture infiltration can occur in any section of the house exposed to the outside.
When you close an outside door, check to see any visible light coming in. If you can see the light through the seals, you’ll probably need to replace them.
Because certain mobile homes only have single-pane windows, double-check the operation of the windows and make sure everything closes and locks correctly.
During your mobile home check, ensure the doors and windows close correctly as well. Sinking mobile homes’ central front and rear doors may not line up or close properly.
Walls
Investigate your mobile home’s exterior and interior walls. Tour the facility and press on all divisions to ensure it’s solid and not collapsing.
The kind of siding used can also indicate possible wall damage, with metal siding more prone to break at doors and windows and hardwood siding more likely to leak at joints and seams.
If you’re looking for a double-wide mobile home, double-check that it has a load-bearing wall (also known as a marriage wall).
Crawl Space
As a mobile homeowner, it’s important to be aware that crawl spaces can conceal potential problems.
It should be sealed with intact skirting and unobstructed vents to prevent ground-level moisture from entering your house.
When inspecting your insulation, be sure to check for signs of rot, mold, termites, and broken wiring. Additionally, keep an eye out for any leaks that may freeze during the winter months.
Roofs
Many roof concerns, such as water stains that signal leaks, should be pretty obvious. However, always be cautious around leaking ceilings since they pose structural trouble and may collapse at any time. Look for missing shingles or tiles, as well as evidence of rust and corrosion if the roof is metallic.
Electrical & Wiring
Electric panels and outlets that have been improperly installed or maintained can pose a severe fire threat, so it’s best to leave this aspect of the examination to the specialists.
During your inspection, there are a few items you may check yourself. Keep an eye out for any dangling or broken wires, particularly in the crawl space. Be wary of having too many extension cords, which might suggest that multiple outlets aren’t working.
In addition, you can also get a receptacle tester, which can be found for less than $10 at most retail outlets. You may check the wiring’s operation by plugging the gadget into a wall socket. The sensors help to assess the likelihood of faulty outlet wiring.
Final Words On Mobile Home Inspections
Modern mobile houses are cost-effective and high-quality alternatives to a stick-built home. Costs, rules affecting mobile home value, and low-cost stick-built alternatives vary by location, so be sure to do your homework.
Check out our community or website for mobile homes. We’re excited to hear from you.
