How To Look At A House

McGarry and Madsen's home inspection blog for buyers of  

site-built, mobile/manufactured and modular homes

MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOMES

Monday, May 14, 2018

Here’s links to a collection of our blog posts about MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOMES:

Where can I file a complaint if I have problems with my new or used manufactured/mobile home in Florida?

 What are the most common defects in mobile/manufactured home foundation piers?

Why does Florida have mobile/manufactured home installation standards that exceed HUD requirements? 

• What is a Wind Zone for mobile homes?

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

Want to learn more about inspecting
manufactured/mobile homes? 
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Manufactured Home Inspectors 
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

• What are the HUD requirements for site drainage when installing a mobile/manufactured home?

How often should mobile home tie-downs be checked?

How do I shut off the main water service in a mobile/manufactured home? 

What is the maximum spacing for mobile/manufactured home tie-downs in Florida? 

What causes a crowned floor in a mobile/manufactured home? 

How do I determine the age of a very old mobile home?

Is a ground cover vapor barrier (plastic sheet) required under a new mobile/manufactured home? 

What is a "HUD label verification letter" for a mobile/manufactured home? 

What is a "HUD data plate/performance certificate" for a mobile/manufactured home? 

When did a ground cover vapor barrier (plastic sheet) become required under a mobile/manufactured home? 

How can I tell if a water heater is HUD-approved for mobile/manufactured homes? 

Can I attach a mobile/manufactured home to my house as an addition?

Can over-tightening mobile home tie-down straps cause the floor to buckle?

What size wood wall studs are used for a manufactured/mobile home? 

What is the difference between transverse and longitudinal floor framing for a mobile/manufactured home? 

Is it safe to go under a mobile home? 

What is a "second set" mobile/manufactured home? 

• What is a "Florida override" of HUD mobile/manufactured home installation standards?

How can I tell how well my mobile home is insulated? 

Is a metal roof for a mobile home approved for HUD Wind Zone 3? 

Do piers and tie-down anchors have to be approved by the State of Florida for manufactured/mobile home installation in Florida? 

Can you move a Wind Zone 2 mobile home to Zone 3 in Florida? 

Are older mobile homes unsafe? 

How much hurricane wind speed can a mobile home survive? 

Are park trailers and park model recreational vehicles required to have a data plate? 

What is the difference between a park trailer and a park model recreational vehicle? 

What are the tie down requirements for a modular home?

Can I put a new asphalt shingle roof over an existing shingle roof on a manufactured/mobile home?

How long does it take to build a mobile/manufactured home? 

What do I need to know about buying a foreclosed mobile home? 

Does it make sense to buy an older mobile home and remodel it? 

Where do I find the vehicle identification number (VIN) on a mobile home? 

How do I find out how old a mobile home is and who manufactured it?

What is the life expectancy of a mobile home? 

What is an "RP" sticker for a mobile home? 

Can you get a useful mobile home inspection with no electric power or water?

How many exterior exit doors are required for a mobile/manufactured home?

How can I make my mobile home look more like a house? 

What is the right humidity level in a mobile home?

How do HUD-code mobile/manufactured home standards compare to the IRC building code for site-built homes? 

Where do I find the water heater in a mobile home?

Can I convert a shipping container into a HUD-code manufactured/mobile home?

How many mobile/manufactured homes are there in the United States? 

What are the common problems to look for when buying a mobile home that is older than 40 years?

Where can I buy a new mobile home that is only a shell, so I can finish the interior myself?  

What would cause half of a double-wide mobile home to lose electric power? 

What is the right price for a used mobile home?

How can I fix rooms that are too warm or too cold in my mobile home?

What are the ventilation requirements for bathrooms and kitchens in mobile homes? 

How can I make my mobile home more energy efficient? 

How energy efficient is a mobile home?

What is the difference between the electric service to a mobile home and a site built home? 

How do I look for and find mold in my mobile home? 

What does a home inspector look for when examining a mobile home crawl space? 

What are the limitations on homesites where a mobile/manufactured home can be located? 

Can a mobile/manufactured home get termites? 

What are the HUD requirements for selling a remodeled or renovated mobile home? 

Can a mobile/manufactured home have a high radon problem? 

Where can I file a complaint about a mobile home park owner? 

Why is my double-wide considered a HUD home? 

When were the first double-wide mobile homes manufactured?

How do I upgrade my old (pre-1976) mobile home to meet HUD standards?

What is the life expectancy of a modular home?

What is the best air conditioner for a mobile home?

What size air conditioner is right for my mobile home? 

How can you tell if a mobile home is a doublewide or singlewide?

What do I need to know about building an addition to a mobile home? 

How much venting is required for mobile home skirting?

Why is it important that a mobile home stay level throughout its lifetime? 

Why is the floor tile cracked in my mobile home?

Does a single-wide mobile home have interior bearing walls? 

Is a 7 feet a normal height for a wall/ceiling in a mobile home?

Should I add a plastic sheet vapor barrier on the ground under my mobile home? 

What is a pit set mobile home?

What is the allowable load in psf (pounds per square foot) for mounting solar panels or other equipment on the roof of a mobile/manufactured home? 

How do I upgrade a park model to meet HUD Code for entry into a mobile/manufactured home park?

Can you move an older mobile home in Florida? 

Can I use Tyvek as a belly wrap replacement for a mobile home?

What does the HUD tag look like and where do I find it on a mobile home? 

Which are Wind Zone 3 counties for mobile homes in Florida?

 Do I need stairs at all exit doors from a mobile home? 

Can you move a Wind Zone 1 mobile home to Wind Zone 2 or 3 in Florida?

Why are there cracks in the wallboard in a mobile home after its moved?

What is an air conditioner for a mobile home called?

Can I remodel an old mobile home without a building permit? 

Can you put a zone 1 mobile home in Florida?

How can I upgrade a wind zone 1 mobile home to wind zone 2? 

How can I remove water under my mobile home?

What's the differences between a trailer, a mobile home, a manufactured home, and a modular home? 

Does my mobile home meet wind zone 2 standards? 

How can I know if my mobile home meets HUD code?

Where are Wind Zone 2 and Wind Zone 3 for mobile homes located?

What is a D-sticker mobile home? 

What are the tie-down requirements for a mobile home?

How fireproof is a mobile home?

Where do I find the vehicle identification number (VIN) on a mobile home? 

Where do I find the VIN/serial number on a very old (pre-1976) mobile home?

Why are there two VIN numbers on some mobile home titles? 

Can I install a mobile home myself?

What is a Park Model mobile home? 

Does mobile home skirting have to be ventilated?

What is the stuff you paint an old mobile home metal roof with to extend its life? 

What's the difference between a manufactured home and a mobile home?

Why is there such a big gap under the doors inside a mobile home? 

Does an addition to a mobile home have to comply with the HUD Code? 

How much does a mobile home inspection cost? 

How much does it cost to move a mobile home?

What is the plastic sheet called that covers the underside of a mobile home?

What walls can I remove in a mobile home? 

What can I do to prevent dampness and mold in my mobile home? 

How can I tell if a mobile home is well constructed?

How can I tell the difference between a manufactured home and a modular home? 

What does a home inspector check in a mobile home inspection?

How can I replace a missing HUD tag (HUD Certification Label) for a mobile/manufactured home?  

What is the building code for manufactured/mobile homes in Florida?

Can I determine the year of a manufactured/mobile home from the HUD tag (red tag)? 

Does a modular home have a serial number?

What are the best tips for buying a used mobile home? 

• Is it illegal to remove the HUD tag (verification label) from a mobile/manufactured home?

• Do Park Model trailers have a HUD plate? 

• What year were mobile homes required to become more storm resistant? 

• What year did HUD first begin enforcing the HUD-code standards for mobile/manufactured homes? 

• What is the minimum size of mobile/manufactured home per HUD standards? 

• What is the age limit for moving a mobile home? 

• Do mobile homes last?

• How many people live in mobile/manufactured homes in America? 

• Does a modular home have a HUD tag? 

• Are mobile homes well built?

• What is a "host beam" at a mobile/manufactured home? 

• What is a HUD Certification Label for a mobile home? 

• What is the HUD-code requirement for lighting in a mobile home? 

• What is the HUD-code requirement for whole-house ventilation in a mobile home? 

• What are the HUD-code requirements for a mobile home data plate? 

 • What is the HUD-code requirement for the manufacturer's serial number of a mobile home? 

What is the minimum size electric service to a mobile/manufactured home? 

• What is the minimum size of an exterior door to a mobile/manufactured home per HUD-Code? 

• What are the electrical code standards for a mobile/manufactured home? 

• Is aluminum wiring allowed in a mobile/manufactured home? 

• How many outdoor receptacle outlets are required for a mobile/manufactured home? 

• What is minimum requirement for the insulation of a mobile/manufactured home according to the HUD-code? 

What is the minimum SEER that HUD requires for an air conditioner or heat pump for a mobile/manufactured home? 

• What are the HUD minimum requirements for foundation footings and piers under a mobile/manufactured home? 

• Is a ground treatment for termites required before installation of a new mobile/manufactured home? 

• How many mobile/manufactured homes are there in the United States? 

• Why is it a dangerous mistake to attach a carport, porch, or room addition directly to the roof of a mobile home? 

• What is the definition of a "permanent foundation" for a mobile/manufactured home? 

• Where can I find the manufacturer's model name for my mobile/manufactured home?

How many foundation vents are required in the skirting of a mobile/manufactured home? 

What is the difference between a manufactured/mobile home water heater and a regular water heater? 

 What is the red switch for in my mobile home? 

Why is the insurance company requiring a four point inspection to insure my older mobile home? 

How can I tell how hurricane resistant a Florida mobile home is before I buy it? 

• How far should trees be kept away from a mobile/manufactured home? 

• Does a mobile home have an attic? 

• Does the building code apply to mobile homes? 

• What types of pipes are used in mobile homes? 

• Do all mobile  homes have HUD tags? 

What are the exhaust fan requirements for a mobile home bathroom? 

What are the exhaust fan requirements for a mobile home kitchen? 

• Is mobile home skirting really necessary? 

• What is a Wind Zone 1 mobile home? 

What is a Wind Zone 2 mobile home?

What is a Wind Zone 3 mobile home? 

What is an Exposure D mobile home?

• What mobile home wind zone is Florida? 

• When did they stop using formaldehyde in mobile homes? 

• Do all mobile homes have formaldehyde? 

• What are the signs that a mobile home is not level? 

• How often should you relevel a mobile home? 

• How do I find out the wind zone of my mobile home? 

• How do I stop water from getting under my mobile home? 

What is Florida code for mobile home repair or remodeling? 

Is there a website online to lookup a mobile home VIN number or HUD tag number? 

• Do mobile home exterior doors require a landing by code?

Can the flexible ducts under a mobile home be on the ground? 

• What happens when a mobile home foundation fails in a hurricane? 

• What is the minimum height of the crawl space under a mobile home? 

• What is the maximum height of concrete block piers under a mobile home? 

What is a Wind Zone 3 mobile home? 

• Can I get hurricane impact-rated windows for a mobile-manufactured home?

Is it normal for a mobile home crawl space to be damp in Florida?

Is there a time limit for installation of tie-downs for a mobile/manufactured home in Florida?

Can I put a mobile home in my backyard in Florida? 

How do I find out if a manufactured/mobile home has been moved from its original location? 

Can a clothes dryer vent in a mobile/manufactured home terminate in the crawl space? 

• What is the minimum warranty for a mobile/manufactured home installation in Florida? 

• What are the requirements for a mobile/manufactured home stairs? 

Are carbon monoxide (CO) alarms required in mobile/manufactured homes? 

• Do the wheels and towing hitch have to be removed when a mobile/manufactured home is installed? 

• What is a vinyl siding zipper tool? 

• What is causing soft spots in my mobile/manufactured home floor? 

• How high off the ground (minimum clearance) does a mobile home have to be? 

• What are skirting access panel code requirements for a manufactured-mobile home? 

• Which is better: vinyl or brick manufactured/mobile home skirting? 

• What are the installation requirements for manufactured/mobile homes in Florida? 

• Do manufactured/mobile homes have more foundation problems than site-built homes? 

• Can a mobile home permanent foundation be concrete blocks on pads and screw-in anchors? 

• Do I need a tie-down inspection to get mobile home insurance in Florida? 

• Why do manufactured/mobile home skylights leak? 

• When did they start putting HUD plates on manufactured/mobile homes? 

• What is the HUD requirement for bedroom emergency egress windows for manufactured/mobile homes?

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