7 Easy Steps to Dry Out Under Your Mobile Home: Say Goodbye to Moisture Problems!

Moisture in mobile homes causes structural damage and harmful mold growth. Take proactive steps to protect your home and maintain a healthy living environment. Here are seven easy ways to dry out under your mobile home and prevent moisture.

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1. Control Humidity Levels

Humidity is the concentration of water vapor present in the air. High levels of humidity can create an ideal environment for mold growth and may cause condensation, leading to dampness and potential water damage.

In a mobile home, this problem is often exacerbated due to its compact size and limited ventilation.

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Controlling the level of humidity inside your home is crucial in preventing moisture buildup. Some effective ways include:

• Use air conditioning: Air conditioners not only cool the air but also reduce humidity levels. During hot and humid months, maintaining a comfortable temperature inside your home using an air conditioner can help manage humidity.
• Invest in a hygrometer: A hygrometer is a device that measures the amount of humidity in the air. By keeping track of your indoor humidity levels, you can take necessary actions if the levels get too high.
• Proper ventilation: Ensure that your home is well-ventilated. Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom, as these areas tend to produce a lot of moisture.

2. Improve Ventilation

Ventilation plays a crucial role in controlling moisture levels inside your home. Proper ventilation allows for air circulation, which helps to reduce the amount of moisture in the air. It also aids in drying out any damp areas, preventing mold and mildew growth.

Improving ventilation can be achieved through several means:

• Install exhaust fans: If not already installed, consider adding exhaust fans in moisture-prone areas such as your kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room. These fans can help remove excess moisture from these areas and prevent it from spreading throughout the home.
• Add vents in the crawl space: Having the required number of vents in your crawl space is essential for maintaining proper ventilation in your home. The openings should be on at least two opposite sides of your home’s foundation.
• Use window ventilation: Whenever possible, open your windows to let fresh air in and stale air out. This simple act can greatly improve the overall ventilation within your home.

3. Use Dehumidifiers

Dehumidifiers are devices that reduce the level of humidity in the air by sucking in moist air, removing the moisture, and then blowing dry air back into the room. This process can be highly beneficial in preventing mold growth, especially in damp areas like basements or crawl spaces under mobile homes.

When choosing a dehumidifier, consider the size of the area you need to dehumidify. For larger spaces or areas with severe dampness, a larger capacity dehumidifier would be more appropriate.

Furthermore, remember to regularly empty and clean the dehumidifier’s water collection bucket to ensure it works effectively. Also, if your dehumidifier allows for it, consider setting a desired humidity level (usually between 30% – 50%) for the machine to maintain.

4. Address Water Sources

Water sources, such as leaks or standing water under your home, are significant contributors to moisture problems. Leaks from your plumbing system, roof, or windows can lead to water accumulating in undesired places, promoting the growth of mold and mildew.

Similarly, standing water underneath your home can increase humidity levels, leading to similar issues.

Regularly inspect your home for signs of leaks. Look out for damp spots on your ceilings, walls, or floors. If you find any, try to identify the source of the leak and have it repaired immediately.

For standing water underneath your home, check the ground after heavy rains. If you notice pools of water, consider improving the drainage around your home or leveling the ground to prevent water accumulation.

5. Install Moisture Barriers

As Apple Drains explains in the video –

1. They used 6 mil plastic as the moisture barrier material.
2. The crawlspace was very tight, so they prepared the plastic outside first to make it easier.
3. Basic tools like scissors, utility knife and fabric staples are needed.
4. They wore a painter’s suit as a makeshift hazmat suit to stay cleaner.
5. They measured and cut sections of plastic to fit between piers/walls and rolled them up to carry inside.
6. The plastic was unrolled, pulled tight and pinned up against the piers and walls.
7. The plastic was cut around piers and the sump pump riser by slicing it with scissors.
8. It’s important to keep the plastic tight, especially in the corners.
9. Excess plastic is tucked under and pinned into the soil.
10. The process is repeated section by section until the entire crawlspace is covered with the moisture barrier.

Apple Drains

Moisture barriers, or vapor barriers, are materials used to prevent water vapor from diffusing into the home. By installing a moisture barrier underneath your mobile home, you can prevent ground moisture from rising and seeping into your home.

Firstly, choose a high-quality moisture barrier. A thickness of 6 mils is usually recommended for mobile homes. Then, cover the entire ground under your crawl space with the barrier, securing it in place with landscape staples or rocks. Finally, add a layer of sand on top of the plastic to hold it down and absorb any excess moisture.

It’s also important to regularly check the condition of the moisture barrier, replacing it if it gets damaged or worn out.

6. Monitor and Control Crawl Space Moisture

The crawl space under your mobile home can be a hotspot for moisture problems. Excess moisture here can lead to a host of problems, including structural damage to your home and poor indoor air quality due to mold growth.

To monitor and manage moisture in your crawl space, consider the following strategies:

• Regular inspections: Inspect your crawl space regularly, especially after heavy rains. Look for signs of wetness or standing water. If found, take the necessary steps to dry out the area and prevent future accumulation.
• Ventilation: Ensure that your crawl space is well-ventilated. Ventilation helps to regulate the temperature and moisture levels in the crawl space, preventing dampness and condensation.
• Insulation: Proper insulation can help control the temperature in the crawl space, reducing condensation and moisture buildup.

7. Seek Professional Help if Needed

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the moisture problem may persist or become too severe to handle on your own. In such cases, it’s crucial to seek professional help. Experts in home repair and improvement can provide effective solutions to resolve the problem and prevent further damage to your home.

When looking for a professional, always ensure that they have the necessary credentials and experience in dealing with moisture problems, especially in mobile homes.

Ask for references or reviews from previous clients to understand their work quality. Also, make sure to discuss the problem in detail and understand their proposed solution before proceeding with any work.

What soaks up moisture under the house?

Absorbent materials like calcium chloride and silica gel are commonly used to soak moisture. These substances come in packets or buckets and can be placed in areas where moisture is a problem, such as the crawl space under your mobile home. They work by absorbing the moisture from the air, effectively reducing humidity levels.

Why is it wet under my mobile home?

There could be several reasons why it’s wet under your mobile home. It could be due to poor drainage around your home, leading to water accumulation after rains.

Leaking pipes or appliances can also cause water to drip and collect under your home. Moreover, high humidity levels can lead to condensation, causing dampness under your mobile home.

How do I get rid of mold under my mobile home?

If you discover mold under your mobile home, the first step is to identify the source of the moisture and fix it. This could involve repairing leaks, improving ventilation, or installing a moisture barrier.

After dealing with the source of moisture, you should clean the mold-infected areas with a mixture of water and bleach (1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water). However, if the mold covers a large area or if you’re allergic, it’s better to hire a professional to do the job.

What can I use under my mobile home for a vapor barrier?

A vapor barrier or moisture barrier can be made from several types of material, but plastic sheeting is the most common. The plastic used for this purpose is typically poly