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Last Post 01/11/2007 12:01 AM by mgfirment

Mobile home - unsolved mystery!

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Robert.John
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Posts:1

01/10/2007 9:07 AM
I have a question for an experienced adjuster. I am handling a loss for a mobile home. It is a forced plaed policy which, I beleive, is actually a commerical policy. The home has a serious moisture problem. The inside of all of the windows were covered with water during the inspection, and the walls below the windows are beginning to rot. There is also evidence of mold beginning to form throughout the house. There is a mystery that I am unable to solve. Under every sink, there is evidence of, what appears to be, a water leak. The insured said they cannot figure out where the water is coming from. They said that if they place a bowl under the kitchen sink, and if it is left long enough, it will fill with water. They said they replaced the entire kitchen sink as well as the seal around the bathroom sink, but the problem persists. I read on a website that the general moisture problem common to the newer mobile homes can cause pipes under the sinks to sweat. It was a passing comment and the writer did not elaborate. Has anyone heard of this, and can the pipes sweat enough to fill a bowl? Has anyone run accross this? Any ideas what could be causing the water to form under the sinks? Thank you,

Tiger

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Posts:26

01/10/2007 10:09 AM
Robert: I do alot of mobile home claims. One difference between mobile homes and other structures is that they are elevated and have a crawl space beneath them. The plumbing runs beneath the home and comes up through holes in the underlayment. These holes should be sealed. Mobile homes should also have a vapor barrier or belly paper beneath them to protect agains moisture from below. But if your insured is placing a bowl on the floor that is filling with water, there is obviously a leak somewhere. Leaks don't generally come from the sink or the drainpipe. Sounds like a supply line leak. Incidentally alot of older mobile homes have polybutylene plumbing which is known to be defective. Hope this helps.

Tom Rongstad
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mgfirment

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Posts:5

01/11/2007 12:01 AM
The moisture problem inside the mobile home is most likely the result of high levels of relative humidity inside the mobile home. Condensation is occurring when the warm, moist air comes into contact with the cooler surfaces of the windows and sinks. The high levels of relative humidity can probably be attributed to insufficient insulation in the floors, walls, and ceilings, as well as to inadequate ventilation of the area above the ceiling and below the mobile home. Water pooling beneath the mobile home and non-ventilated skirting often contribute to this condition. I would also not be surprised to find that the insured has placed plastic bags over the turbine vents to "keep the warm air in". It should also be noted that the use of portable, "non-vented" gas heaters produce excessive amounts of water vapor that may be contributing as well. In my opinion, the insured's policy will probably not afford coverage for the loss - in all likelihood the policy can probably be interpreted to specifically exclude this type of damages.

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