Mold thrives in a moist environment and may wreak havoc on the respiratory tract of those who inhale the mold spores. Because of the character of its assembly-line, off-site construction, manufactured homes face moisture-control issues different from that of on-site, frame structure. Manufactured home sections which aren’t properly weatherproofed during transport to the home website and which are assembled rapidly could cause “condensation-induced structural damage,” as mentioned by the Manufacturing Housing Research Alliance. There are definite contractors and producers can take to minimize the risk of mold formation in manufactured houses.
Throughout Installation
Establish your manufactured home on a correctly graded lot where water will drain away from the home.
Install a ground cover for a vapor barrier to prevent moisture from seeping to the home from below.
Put a non-porous gasket to achieve a tight seal along the inner edge of the insulation.
Cover metal surfaces when crossover ducts are installed. Insulate wires and metallic boxes entirely, and make sure these things are off the ground and sealed tightly.
Make sure that the dryer exhaust duct contains proper support and slopes so moisture doesn’t find its way beneath your home.
Throughout Occupation
Be vigilant about detecting and repairing any leaks around your plumbing, appliances and windows and doors.
Use a ventilation fan if you are cooking or bathing to circulate and spread moisture building up in the atmosphere.
Use a dehumidifier to control moisture accumulation because mold starts to grow over 50 percent humidity. Buy a mechanical or electronic hygrometer in a hardware shop to inspect humidity levels on your manufactured home.
Set your thermostat to 75 degrees or more in the summer to reduce water condensation within walls. Use fans to circulate the air, and keep curtains closed to reduce sun exposure.
Change your air-conditioner filters frequently so the system can eliminate moisture from the atmosphere more efficiently. Scrub condensation from windows to prevent water from running down windows and onto other surfaces.
Call experienced mold-assessment and mold-removal professionals that will test your atmosphere for mold spores and then eliminate the mold from your home and identify sources of the problem. Use the services of these professionals if you find you’ve got mold problems and notice things like musty odors, visual indications of mold growth, and residents of the home becoming sick.