How to Inspect a Manufactured Home
Home inspections are necessary to ensure that a given property meets state safety standards and to assess the value of a home for both buyers and sellers. Manufactured homes, also known as "mobile homes," are constructed differently than standard houses, and thus require deeper inspections in certain areas for damage that may not be apparent to the naked eye. In addition, manufactured homes have features, such as joints, that are not shared by traditional houses. These features must not be overlooked when conducting a home inspection. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Verify the security of the foundation. Because a manufactured home can be moved, it may not be permanently secured to the foundation. This can leave gaps between the bottom of the trailer and the foundation, which can result in wind damage to the structure and significant safety issues.
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Inspect the mobile home's joints if it is a double or triple-wide. The joints are the areas where the sections of the home are attached to one another. All of the joints must be secure. Also, look for signs of rust on the joints, as this makes them more prone to breakage over time.
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Pay close attention to the windows and surrounding areas. Windows in a manufactured home often have only one pane of glass and may not be secure enough to prevent leakage. If a window leaks, this can result in rotting insulation around the window.
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Verify proper installation of aluminum wiring. Many manufactured homes have aluminum wiring rather than copper wiring. Aluminum wiring, if installed improperly or damaged by leaks, is more prone to cause a fire.
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Check underneath the mobile home to evaluate the condition of the flooring. The flooring in manufactured homes is typically a combination of plywood and particleboard. This makes the flooring more prone to water damage and rotting in certain areas, such as the bathroom and kitchen. Water damage can best be seen from underneath the structure.
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Check the edges of the roof for leaks. Mobile homes often have flat roofs with no overhang which contributes to leakage around the windows. Also, look to see if any chimneys or vents are currently blocked and if previous patching has occurred. Any signs of previous patching may indicate the presence of roof cement, which can corrode the structure.
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Tips & Warnings
Some states grandfather clause older manufactured homes, since bringing them up to current safety standards may be impossible for the homeowner. Verify the age of the home prior to conducting the inspection.
