In the last few decades, homeowners have heard more and more about the dangers of radon. Radon is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless radioactive gas that naturally seeps out of the ground. When it enters a home, it an buildup, and in some cases, has been known to cause lung cancer.
For a long time, there has been the belief that the only homes at risk for accumulating radon were those with a basement since the gas is heavier than air. However, this is not true. Any home, be it new, old, drafty, with a basement, on a concrete foundation, or with a crawl space, are at risk for potential problems resulting from radon.
Depending on the foundation used, all homes may or may not pose a problem—even manufactured homes and mobile homes. Most mobile homes have a significant advantage over traditionally built homes in that of their elevation. The "crawl space" beneath a manufactured home allows ventilation and air movement, which is not possible in traditional builds. This crawl space goes a long way to preventing radon gas from the ability to build up. The skirting may trap some radon, but perforated skirting or vented skirting allows the radon to escape before penetrating the home.
Another advantage is that many mobile homes are constructed with a plastic sheet or a "belly board" that seals the home's bottom. If the skirting is ventilated and the belly board remains in place, the radon is less likely to find a means of entering the dwelling. If the belly board is cut to perform repairs under the home, it should be re-sealed with the appropriate materials.
Finally, when setting the manufactured home, a concrete pad or another plastic sheet, which serves as a vapor barrier, is placed on the ground under the home. The ventilated skirting, belly board, and concrete or vapor barrier all work together serving as significant barriers to the radon building up and being a health hazard to your family.
Despite the good news that mobile homes are not usually as susceptible to radon's harming effects as are those of traditionally built homes, you can always have your manufactured home checked by a professional or with a do-it-yourself test kit for you family's peace of mind.