Belly board repair and Questions
Posted: Tue May 19, 2020 8:18 pm
Hi guys, found this site through a search, and I'm super grateful! Bought a late 90's mobile home in NW Florida a couple years back, ducts/vents running overhead. Around here, temps run from high 90's-low 30's. Have a list of projects/repairs in the works, and yet, while I'm slowly learning about mobile homes (and home ownership in general ), I don't have any previous experience with them.
First thing is the belly board. We've taken care of some mice that have come in through several large tears there. Looking to repair, but still unclear/unsure about a few things...
-01 Air circulation: In a warm area like NW FL, how is the "ventilation" system under the house supposed to work? If skirting is vented and belly board breathable, is an open system/air circulation what keeps humidity down and moisture/mold from developing in the insulation, subfloor, etc?
-02 Rodents: Worried about them getting back into the insulation and nesting there, but should new belly board and skirting that's free of access points solve most of that?
-03 Type of insulation: Looking at fiberglass mainly because of $, but read several instances of fiberglass trapping moisture and damaging the subfloor, joists, etc. Any input or suggestions on that?
-04 Installation: does the insulation go in between the joists directly underneath the subfloor, or does there need to be an air space? And is the belly board run tight or should there be a sag?
Hoping to learn as I go, and I appreciate any input you can offer! Thanks!
-DB
First thing is the belly board. We've taken care of some mice that have come in through several large tears there. Looking to repair, but still unclear/unsure about a few things...
-01 Air circulation: In a warm area like NW FL, how is the "ventilation" system under the house supposed to work? If skirting is vented and belly board breathable, is an open system/air circulation what keeps humidity down and moisture/mold from developing in the insulation, subfloor, etc?
-02 Rodents: Worried about them getting back into the insulation and nesting there, but should new belly board and skirting that's free of access points solve most of that?
-03 Type of insulation: Looking at fiberglass mainly because of $, but read several instances of fiberglass trapping moisture and damaging the subfloor, joists, etc. Any input or suggestions on that?
-04 Installation: does the insulation go in between the joists directly underneath the subfloor, or does there need to be an air space? And is the belly board run tight or should there be a sag?
Hoping to learn as I go, and I appreciate any input you can offer! Thanks!
-DB