Services

Retrofitting

Retrofitting is the process of installing anchors, stabilizer plates, straps, approved beam clamps, and longitudinal stabilization devices to the existing foundation. Bringing a home up to current code provides customers with additional safety against hurricanes, tornados, and various other wind storms. If a home is older than 18 months, it most likely needs additional protection. DECARLO & DECARLO's stellar workmanship provides customers with a piece of mind knowing the structure can withstand most weather conditions.

Foundation Upgrades

Chances are your present home may not meet current code, Section 15-C1 for safety. Most lenders require a manufactured home to comply with present codes prior to financing. Whether you are refinancing, selling, purchasing, or obtaining a reverse mortgage, DECARLO & DECARLO, INC can provide integrated solutions at an affordable cost.

Pier Straightening

What is releveling? The term is widely used to describe a readjustment of the undercarriage of the mobile home/manufactured home. In many cases the home is decades old, was initially set-up imperfectly or other attached structures have been added to the home over the years when the home was out of level. Our primary goal is to provide the home with equal distribution of weight-making sure each component is working optimally and in compliance with the original manufacturer's guidelines for weight bearing. Older homes present unique situations because many homeowners have made improvements over the years, possibly when the home was not quite level. Obviously we don't want to create new problems with the roof, windows or plumbing by making aggressive adjustments if that is the case. Additionally, appurtenant structures may have been added when the home was out of level and we don't want to break seals or flashing attachments by re-setting the home.

On older homes, many of the original materials may have deteriorated or the materials may no longer be consistent with industry standards. For instance, original concrete piers may be sitting on untreated wood or non-compliant pads, piers and pads may have settled into the ground causing the screws to be extended beyond the manufacturer's guidelines or water intrusion may have caused the pads to sink into the ground or become deteriorated. In this case, the understructure may need a more comprehensive overhaul-We call this "reconditioning", replacing piers and pads as needed, bringing all components above grade, providing equidistant spacing of the piers and pads and making sure that all screws meet the manufacturer's specifications. In many cases, we have to remove debris, re-install fallen insulation, repair torn vapor barrier, re-attach ducting and raise electrical wiring. All of this is commonly called releveling but we would prefer that the industry term be Understructure Reconditioning.

Drainage

Many of the manufactured home communities have been constructed on terraced plots (slippery slopes) or poorly compacted land with poor drainage, flood plains, etc. Even more problematic are low profile homes that have subterranean or pit sets. Because the exterior ground is higher than the ground beneath the home, improper grading and hydrostatic pressure can cause water to percolate beneath the manufactured home. In many cases the understructure is inundated with standing water. We offer drainage solutions that capture and divert the water so the understructure components are protected. We generally prefer to install an integrated drain system that works independently of a sump pump, but this is not always practical or possible.

Vapor/Moisture Barrier

Vapor Barrier is the protective covering that protects and holds in the subfloor insulation. In older homes, it common to find breaches in the vapor barrier due to plumbing repair, plumbing conversion from plastic or galvanized to copper or intrusion of rodents into the insulation to nest. If the ground underneath the home is frequently damp or water intrusion is an issue, breaches in the vapor barrier can allow odors and moisture to enter into the walls and flooring. Since most mobile/home are pressed wood or particle board, a moist environment can created deformities and the eventual decomposition of the flooring material. If soft spots or warping have impacted the floors, the problems could be associated with a leak, trapped moisture beneath the home rising into the floors and walls or poor under floor ventilation. Some of these problems are covered under your homeowners insurance policy, and can be repaired at very little cost to the homeowner if dealt with promptly. Chronic moisture and trapped water can lead to other issues, such as mold, mildew, and fungus, etc.

Miscellaneous Services

Skirting - Rodent Proofing - Tongue Removal - Install Handrails