Thursday, August 26, 2010

Install A Moisture Barrier Under A Mobile Home

Install a Moisture Barrier Under a Mobile Home


A moisture barrier helps insulate a mobile home by creating a dead-air space between the subfloor and the barrier. It prevents moisture infiltration into the subfloor space, protecting the insulation and wooden framing from water damage. Typically made from asphalt-impregnated fiberboard, asphalt-impregnated fiberglass cloth or heavy tar paper, it also prevents animals and insects from entering the home from the bottom. Moisture barrier materials are available at a mobile home supply store, and can be installed by a do-it-yourselfer. Does this Spark an idea?


Instructions


1. Fit the moisture barrier to the bottom of the home. Start in a corner and lay a piece of barrier against the floor framing.


2. Fasten the barrier to the framing. Place a washer on a self-tapping screw and drive the screw through the barrier, and into the floor joist with the drill motor and screwdriver tip. Place a screw about every 4 to 6 inches along the edge of the barrier.


3. Trim the edge of the barrier if it does not fall in the center of the floor joist. Cut the barrier with a razor knife down the center of the floor joist closest to the edge of the barrier. Screw the cut edge to the joist.


4. Butt the next piece of barrier to the edge of the first piece. Screw the second piece into place fully. Trim the edges as necessary. Repeat the process until the entire bottom of the home is sealed.

Tags: edge barrier, floor joist, Barrier Under, Barrier Under Mobile, bottom home, center floor, center floor joist