What Mobile Home Owners Should Know About Leveling
Posted on: 18 October 2019
The popularity of mobile homes continues to grow as many families seek a less expensive home that will help them avoid the burden of a larger, traditional home mortgage. With increasingly attractive, energy-efficient designs, modern mobile homes are able to offer comfort and security at a very affordable price.
Living in a mobile home, however, can include some challenges that are not commonly found in other types of housing. One of these challenges involves leveling the home and taking the steps necessary to make sure it remains level throughout the years. If you are living in a mobile home and would like to know more about the importance of keeping the home level, this information can help.
The initial setup
When mobile homes are delivered to the site, it is positioned on piers made of concrete blocks as part of the setup process. The piers, placed in specific locations to ensure the weight of the mobile home will be equally distributed, hold the weight of the home.
Once the piers are in place under the home and are securely holding their load, the mobile home will be checked to make sure it is level. If not, its placement on the piers will be adjusted in minute increments with the use of shims or wedges made of wood or other durable materials.
Reasons for losing the level state
Some mobile homes are built with a pre-cambered or slightly curved beam that becomes level during the manufacturing process due to the weight of all the construction materials and appliances that make up the home. Over time, the weight of the home or soil movement issues can cause all or part of the mobile home to settle.
One of the most common reasons for a mobile home to experience leveling issues is when damage occurs to the supporting pier structure. This can include broken or cracked concrete pier blocks and damaged or missing shims or wedges.
Signs that re-leveling is needed
Mobile homeowners may notice a variety of signs that re-leveling is needed. Some of these include:
- the development of creaks or noises when walking through the home
- exterior doors and windows that begin to stick or become difficult to open and close
- buckling or distortion in siding or roofing materials
- when kitchen and bath cabinet doors no longer close securely
To learn more about the importance of keeping your mobile home level or schedule an appointment to have your mobile home checked or re-leveled, contact a reputable re-leveling contractor in your area.
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