Home Inspection St. Cloud | Home Inspection 320-433-9489
Buying a used mobile home can be an intimidating task for many new investors, but it doesn’t have to be. This type of investment can actually be easier than you think. Here are some of the top items the inspector will inspect before you purchase a used mobile home.
- Roof- The inspector will look for cracks and rust, finding stains on the ceiling is the best indicator if the roof is not structurally sound.
- Floors- Mobile homes, unlike stick-built homes, do not typically sit on a foundation. This means that the bottom side of the home isn’t shielded from exposure to the elements. The inspector will look for soft spots on the floors as this is one of the most common faults with mobile homes. A soft spot is just a piece of the sub floor that has rotted over time for any number of reasons, such as appliance leaks, window or roof leaks, faulty plumbing, etc. The inspector will look take a good look underneath. If they find pooling water or suspect a leak, there could be unseen damage to the interior of the house. They will also look at the bottom of the insulation of the home to see if there is tears and to see if the skirting is being properly maintained. If the inspector sees large low spots on the moisture barrier, they will investigate the potential issue by pushing on the low spot with your hand. If they see or feel water, there may be a leak in the house that is holding all of that water between the floor and the insulation, which will quickly cause molding and rotting of the floor in the home.
- HVAC Unit- HVAC units in mobile homes can also be a very costly repair. When the inspector is inspecting a home, they will be sure to note the date of the furnace and air conditioner unit. The inspector will do a visual inspection of both units and the general appearance of the unit can typically give them a good gauge of the remaining usable life of the unit. Estimating the remaining usable life will help you better budget for these capital expenditures further down the road, and you may just decide to replace the unit all together.
- Doors and Windows- Improperly sealed doors and windows are another sensitive area for mobile home owners. Any area of the home that has exposure to the exterior will likely be at risk for moisture entering the home.The inspector will be sure to check the seals around the windows and doors and the functionality of them.
- Electrical and Plumbing- The inspector will check the functionality of the outlets, fixtures, wiring and electrical panel when it comes to the electrical inspection. The inspector will check, toilets, piping and all faucets to ensure they are working properly.
- Septic- A septic inspection is crucial part of ensuring your septic is running up to par. A septic inspection will typically include a sewer scope, which involves a small camera line being fed down the plumbing. This way the inspector can get a good view of not only the septic lines but also the tank. When you get a sewer scope inspection they may find possible issues like, cracking, blockage, roots and be able to tell what kind of piping is being used in the septic system.
- Vapor Barriers- The vapor barrier on a mobile home is the first line of defense from the elements on the bottom side of the house. Because the house does not sit on a foundation, instead a vapor barrier is affixed to the underside of the trailer. This barrier keeps moisture from entering the structure of the home. The inspector will inspect the vapor barrier to be sure that there are no evident signs of sagging, rips, or de-lamination. If there is evidence of any of these issues, there could be potential damage or mold issues on the wood sub floor above.We recommend that a manufactured home inspection is must when buying or selling your manufactured home. Give us a call today to give you the reassurance your future home is safe and strong for years to come.
Your home inspector will also offer ancillary services to our customers while they are there including, FLIR Thermal imaging, Home Energy Audit, Mold Inspection and Termite Inspection.
All of our inspections will include a detailed report along with pictures of their findings and will be available to the customer in 24 hours of the inspection.
Home Inspection St. Cloud | Home Inspection 320-433-9489