| When it comes to mobile homes, the inspection | | | | walls of mobile homes tend to be thinner than your |
| process is a bit different. They are built much | | | | traditional home. With a non-mobile home, insulation in |
| differently than you typical home and specific details | | | | walls must meet a different level of inspection. 5) |
| must be inspected and addressed that aren't | | | | WINDS: A big issue with mobile homes that a more |
| reviewed in a normal home. Here is a quick list of | | | | traditional house does face is wind. Wind can cause |
| how mobile homes differ from standard homes, and | | | | damage to a mobile home easier than a non-mobile |
| why they require a different home inspection. Mobile | | | | home. That's because the foundation isn't as secure |
| Home vs. Normal Home Mobile Homes (Manufactured | | | | (if it was, it wouldn't be considered "mobile"). The |
| homes as they are now called) are not built the same | | | | Department of Housing and Urban Development |
| as a site built home. They have a number of items | | | | (HUD) has set in place special windzones in various |
| that make them significantly different. 1) METAL | | | | parts of the county. These zones establish the |
| LEGS: Mobile homes rest on metal legs that over | | | | severity of high winds in the area that could affect |
| time can rust, shift or become loose from the homes | | | | the stability and integrity of a manufacture, mobile |
| main support beams resulting in many problems. Your | | | | home. For example, Florida has various windzones |
| traditional home is on a solid foundation that doesn't | | | | with levels such as windzone 2 and windzone 3 |
| rust. However, based on seismic activity, the | | | | (South Florida is windzone 3, the strongest windzone). |
| foundation of a normal home can shift. 2) ALUMINUM | | | | These are 5 specific issues that a mobile has that |
| WIRING: Many mobile homes have aluminum wiring. If | | | | traditional homes don't. But regardless of whether |
| it does then it needs to be inspected and maintained. | | | | you own a mobile or traditional home, an inspection is |
| Your traditional house has wiring that's typically | | | | necessary if you want to ensure the integrity of |
| copper based. However this can vary and in some | | | | your house or a home you're about to purchase. |
| cases does require an inspection. 3) WATER LINES: | | | | Over time we accumulate items and may improperly |
| The water lines and connections many times are not | | | | store them in places that can create unseen issues |
| welded and can become loose and start small leaks | | | | with your home. Everyday new items come onto the |
| that result in expensive repairs. Cracks in pipes in | | | | market to help make our homes safer to live in. |
| your traditional house can also cause such damage, | | | | However if you don't know that your home has |
| however because pipes are fitted together | | | | issues and problems, then you don't know your home |
| differently with other homes, such issues tend not to | | | | needs these items until it's too late. For these |
| occur as frequently as in a manufactured home. 4) | | | | reasons you can see why it is important to have |
| WALLS AND CEILINGS: As might be expected, walls | | | | your home inspected on a regular basis. |
| and ceilings may not be insulated properly resulting in | | | | Waterman Inspection Services is a mobile home |
| excessive use of your heater and or air conditioning | | | | inspector in Orange County who specializes in mobile |
| system and this means spending extra money. The | | | | home inspections and traditional home inspections. |