Difficulty of installing a vapor barrier after setup has been completed

[J. Roden]

Hello all,

How difficult would it be to put a vapor barrier under my home after the fact?
Any web sites that would help me?

Current setup is on piers, no vapor barrier was installed at time of setup
which was in September of 1998. Home is a 1999 Colony Aurora, 28x66.

I've been watching a few new homes being set up in my neighborhood and have
noticed that they all have had a barrier installed. I wish I had found this
newsgroup BEFORE I ordered my home and had it setup by the dealer, could have
has some questions answered and possible problems corrected before hand.

Thanks in advance.

James R.
ilvze...@aol.com

[Dan O'Flaherty]

All Manufactured Homes have a vapor barrier under the home as part of the
belly. Now some manufacturers recommend plastic on the ground in addition.
Check the installation instructions, if they it should be there and it
isn't, the retailer didn't follow the instructions and you might be able to
pressure them into doing this expensive and problem after set job.
You are supposed to get a copy of the instructions when you buy the home, if
you buy it new. If you didn't that's against the law. Call the manufacturer
and they should be able to supply them.

good luck
"J. Roden" <ilvze...@aol.comnospam> wrote in message
news:20010323024145...@ng-cm1.aol.com...

[T A Ahlborn]

Reading the installation manual from Patriot Homes, they reccommend a .6
mil thick layer of plastic/mylar(?) covering the entire exposed earth of
a crawl space.

Because I am in a damp (ok, wet) area in the spring, I have TWO layers
of the .6 mil plastic covering the entire ground.

I cut the plastic to fit around the piers. The plastic also runs up the
sidewalls of the foundation about 8 inches.

I purchased the large rolls (12x50) at the building center, and have
maybe $45 in this.

Tim

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[FORC...@webtv.net]

A vapor barrier is installed on the ground under the house . It is
usually plastic either clear or black. Up underneath the floors holding
the installation up is a moisture barrier( black webbed matrerial) which
should be all you need depending upon the area.

[FORC...@webtv.net]

[Cactus Bob]

Yeah, but the black material attached to the underside of the house is what
they shred during setup. Sometimes before. You can see homes being
transported and the insulation and black cloth are dragging in the street or
blowing in the wind.
Bob

[Fireflycandles]

Putting a vapor barrier isnt expensive and it isnt hard. Correct, the setup
crew should have done it. Honestly, a dealer isnt going to come out on a
home bought in 98. Here is my suggestion go to Lowes and by a roll of the
black plastic and just roll it under the home its not that hard of a job.
Take a few bricks and put around the ends so that wind dont blow it up.(This
shouldnt happen if the skirting is up...but better safe than sorry. Don't
worry about it being perfect....because the bellyboard is there to protect
also.

Razzi
Dan O'Flaherty <da...@netsync.net> wrote in message
news:tbneei8...@corp.supernews.com...

[T A Ahlborn]

I was talking with a man who does contract repair work for the
manufacturers. He said he has never been under a home where the
belly-wrap is intact after set up.
He says the worst offenders are the plumbers and electricians who don't
care/realize that this is an important item. The think it's there to
hold up the insulation.

My own home has large tears in the belly wrap due to other trades
people.

I had to clean up scraps and junk from them after they worked on the
house.

[Cactus Bob]

After the setup people were done destroying everything, I used "3M Colored
Cloth Tape" to put it back together and then spread a thin layer of GE
Silicone caulk over all the patched areas. It has held up very well and I've
had no scorpions in the house, and no pack rats in the insulation.
Bob

[www.northsun.com]

The manufacturers of the homes we sell explain in pretty clear terms that
the black belly board material IS NOT a vapor barrier. Yes it is plastic and
will retard moisture it's purpose is to hold and protect the floor
insulation. The vapor barrier needs to be at least 6 mil plastic and in
direct contact with the earth. Someone mentioned the set-up crew shredding
the black belly board. I've been involved in over a 1000 set-ups and know of
no reason the set-up crew would damage the bellyboard unless they are
searching for cross-over water or electrical lines. The most common cause of
a damaged bellyboard is from times that have blown out during transport. And
you should check your home if you see bellyboard damage because if the tire
blew just right you might discover a missing frame support or even damage to
the floor itself. For anyone who reads this you should place a vapor
barrier down. Will, in my opinion, be the best $60.00 to $100.00 you can
spend on your home.
"Fireflycandles" <firefl...@accessky.net> wrote in message
news:DSzv6.2769$oI5....@newsfeed.slurp.net...

[MobilHomeGuy]

The original author states he has a Colony.
It was, I guess, built in PA. Contact the PA Dept. of Housing at the Governors
office and they will direct you to the proper people.
The state of PA is currently working toward the licensing of set up crews and
are holding Dealer and Manufacturer's feet to the fire concerning setup.
You may be able to get the work done at their expense.
Good luck
MH Guy