Big decisions, need help.

[Guest]

After 12 years in a 22 year old doublewide, it's decision time. The simplist option would be to buy something else and move. We have 3 beautiful, rural acres in north FL and don't want to leave it.

We spent some time yesterday looking at new mobiles and modulars and almost died of sticker shock. 100K for mobiles and 200K plus for modulars. New FL codes have driven up the already inflated price. Building on the property would mean months of pricey temporary housing.

That brought us back to the possibility of remodeling what we have. The place was well built for it's time with plywood floors etc. I'd like to ask questions about our biggest problems. Feedback would mean more than I can say.

1. We've had old, leaky roof problems. Had it reroofed about 4 years ago and it caused a whole new set of problems. 2 main rooms have a vaulted ceiling with insulation and no air space. When we had the old heat and a/c replaced with a heat pump, the ceilings dripped like a swamp. They had to take out the ridge vent since the roof was too wavy to hold nails properly. It didn't seem to make much difference when it was there. After they took it out, I had them put in soffet vents all the way around, gable vents, and a thermostat controlled attic fan was installed. We still get enough ceiling moisture in the summer to cause visible mold. Seems like the only viable solution would be to somehow repitch the roof. Some kind of roofover maybe?

2. This brings me to the mold issue. Is it possible to kill the mold thats been growing in the ceiling and behind some walls? I know the wall and ceiling material would have to come off. Can years of existing mold really be killed? Solving the roof problem should prevent regrowth. I just don't know if the extensive, pricey process would be effective enough to make it worthwhile.

3. We've had problems under the trailer. It has a standard crawl space with pier pilings on very sandy soil and stucco skirting. We get field rats living under there and they cause damage. My husband is elderly and crawly under there is a difficult process. We use live traps, baited with apple and peanut butter. He hauls them out and takes them into the National Forest to release. We refer to it as our Rat Relocation Program. I won't use snap traps since the thought of Jack encountering a wounded, crazed rat in an enclosed space is not good. I think the whole thing needs to come up some so there's a workable space under there. With the sandy soil, a tight enclosure doesn't work. Anything that can dig, does, even through gravel. I'm thinking the whole thing needs to come up so there's more maneuver room, then maybe lattice for looks. It would be easier to put out fresh mothballs when nobody had to crawl into the black hole. Is my thinking correct on this? How difficult would it be to jack the thing up?

Sorry for the lengthy post. I'm now diabetic, scrawny, and useless for anything heavier than painting. My husband had an 8 month bout of chemo last year and his energy level isn't what it was. His brain still works fine, he works at a university everyday. After several years of benign neglect, we're living in substandard housing and the frustration level is rising. All opinions gratefully welcomed!

Lou

[altasnowman]

Hi,
Sorry to hear about our health problems. in so far as your moisture problems a dehumidifier should solve that issue. with the mould problem that is a bigger problem and would suggest that you hire a mould specialist to see if it can be corrected,with rat problem would suggest having a concrete pad poured close to home and when pad has cured slide your home over onto the pad(maybe at that time you take holidays). this may be an idea that you can live with , otherwise what i would do is trade unit in on new unit but in that case i would pour a pad having all lines built into pad then bring new home out and set up. yes i agree price of new home is overinflated but maybe cost of remodeling is going to be more. just a thought but i would check out both ways and see what your finances will allow. hope this helps

[hvac1000]

((((100K for mobiles and 200K plus for modulars)))

At those prices I would stay where you are at and put the payment into the bank or a investment.

[Mark]

Your in kind of a tough spot. No matter what decision you make will cost a lot of money.

I like the suggested idea of pouring a slab and setting your home up a bit higher on that. Then you still have to deal with the roof and walls. You could have $50,000 into your old home in no time. Is that worth it?

Your house probably isn't worth a lot of money, but your land is probably a gold mine. You love your 3 acres, but with you and your husbands health issues, will you both be able to continue maintaining your 3 acres?

Knowing what little I know about your situation, here's my thoughts. I would probably do very little or nothing to your home, then sell everything and buy a residence somewhere else when your health dictates you can no longer maintain your property. A condo perhaps?

You asked for replies, so that's my two cents.

Mark

[Guest]

Thanks for the replies. As I was writing my original post, I started to realize how ridiculous it sounded. I needed to hear voices of reason from folks who don't always say, "first you trash the doublewide."

Jack and I both are quite attached to the property. We've been hiring yard help and that hasn't been a problem. I'm beginning to realize that we need some sort of low maintanance structure to live in. I've got more nostalgia for this old mobile home than I realized.

I'm afraid the mold problem is insurmountable. I can think about taking out walls and ceilings to kill the stuff, but we couldn't be anywhere near when it happened. Spores are fairly benign until disturbed. I'm not sure the place would be inhabitable after a serious demold attempt.

I guess we need to start looking for a newer trailer in good shape. If that doesn't pan out, we have a 26x30 garage on a slab that could possibly be turned into a house with a second floor added. I'm beginning to see that I've become quite smug over the years about my cheap housing. Now, I guess it's time to pay that annoying piper.

Lou

[Mark]

I think you should look for a different home. A little looking and I bet you find all kind of options. Sure, they may get all the mold, but I'd worry some may still sneak into your ducts or someplace during the removal.

Mark

[Yanita]

Hi,

I am with Mark on this, at least the part about replacing your current home.

If your home has that much mold it is truly a health hazard, many respiratory issues arise from it.

Yes, a dehumidifier would "help", but certainly not cure the problem.

If it was me, I think I would keep my property and replace the home with a newer single wide, not necessarily a brand new one, but if you are financially able to thats an option.

The cost of a new roof and fixing the walls, getting proper ventilation and I bet there is probably floor damage somewhere...all this would be an awful lot of money. As you said, you would also need to find temporary shelter as well.

A roof over is really not an option at this time.

I also agree with Mark, should you go ahead and have everything properly repaired, this would also mean the furnace/ac and duct work would have to be properly cleaned do to the mold spores.

JMO,

~Yanita~

[Harry]

Hi Lou

I’m just south of you. When I saw the $100K number for a MH I thought I better get myself updated. I stopped in the closest MH builder to me …the one with factories in Bellview and Ocala….that just celebrated their 40th anniversary. Their sales centers are factory owned also. Here’s some numbers for you.

- 44’ x 24’ 3/2 $38,995
- 48’ x 28’ 3/2 $53,000
- 48’ x 24’ 3/2 $47,000
- 60’ x 28’ 3/2 $65,000
- 52’ x 28’ 3/2 $61,000

These prices include a HVAC package unit, front and back steps, vinyl skirting, installation and hookup.

Harry

PS: they do have a log cabin model for over $100K

[Yanita]

Hi,

Those prices are in line with North Carolina prices.

Remember you can also look around for a used doublewide or single wide. These come cheap in our area.

Should you decide on a preowned home be sure to read and print out the Purchasing a Used Mobile Home Article in the stickys on the main page of the repair forum. This will help you determine if the home is worth buying....this is just a guide line, not a replacement for a professional inspection.

Have a great day,
Yanita

[Brenda (OH)]

It would take some traveling, but the US government is still selling off used FEMA MHs, the bids I saw were still below $10,000, some of the MHs were at Pensecola.

You would want to take someone with you who could check underneath the MH for damages, but past sale listings tend to list cosmetic damage and wall damages, not mechanical issues.

http://gsaauctions.gov/gsaauctions

just a possible lower cost option.

Brenda

[JD]

There was a big story on the news yesterday where FEMA is being raked over the coals for not revealing or acting on information that many of the mobiles they purchased for Katrina had dangerous formaldehyde issues. They are talking about serious illness and some deaths. Supposedly there will be an avalanche of lawsuits against FEMA.

JD

[Susan]

I heard on the CBS news last night that there is a major problem with 76,000 of the FEMA trailers. A lot of them have been found to be contaminated with formaldehyde gases that are causing serious health issues and may be linked to at least one death.

[hvac1000]

On the small pull behind mobile units there is a serious problem with out gassing. The various chemicals in the carpet,glue's,coated wall board, and furnishings are causing a major problem as reported.

These type of trailers are not intended to be lived in like they used them after a disaster.

In 1990 I bought a 35 foot pull behind unit and when I opened the door I was about knocked over by the odor. The salesman said to always leave a window open for air circulation. It took two years for the smell to finally abate.

Just imagine living in one of those for a year or more. Very nasty and I am sure the government will be getting law suites soon.

[Brenda (OH)]

there are mobile homes listed for sale on the government auction site, not just travel trailers.

I would think the mobile homes would not have the formeldehyde issues, or the mobile home manufacturers would have been sued by many buyers before now.

I hauled 4 sheets of 4X8 paneling the other day, and the odor was awful. it was stuff that looked like it was ground up recycled paper, and it took a few days to get the smell out of the van. I hope new carpet doesn't smell as bad, that is the next repair for the MHs I am rehabbing lol

Brenda

[squirt13]

As far as the FEMA homes, the only ones that are an issue are the small travel trailers. Not tne mobile homes. This might be an option for you.