Dennis Rosa

Problems at home

September 12th, 2009

At one time, only the wise or the wary anchored their mobile homes. Now look yours over. Evaluate your home’s stance. Uneven settling indicates blocking-up problems and probably poor anchoring. The soil under your home must drain properly. In some locales, this may require a 5—6 inch bed of gravel. The home needs a solid footing either on a concrete pad or on concrete runners. Only after the pad is adequate are you ready for blocking and anchoring.
Support a mobile home on cement-block piers 12 feet apart. Many homes today have signs along the frame indicating blocking points. Obey these when you can. Cement blocks should be stacked so you can fill the holes with mortar, forming a solid column.
Anchors are often embedded in mortar or concrete. But anchors vary. Some eye-bolt anchors fit 4 feet into the ground, extending below the frost line. Eye-bolts might not work for sandy or hard rock areas. Your nearest anchor company can probably advise you on the most effective anchoring methods for your area.
Hurricane straps are another segment of a thorough tie-down system. They reach clear over the top of your home, down the sides, and attach to anchors. Sometimes these over-tries-top straps are secured to the frame and the frame in turn anchored.
Whatever the anchoring method, inspect the anchoring devices every month or two. Watch for loose bolts, rust, or corrosion. When that little wind starts to blow a lot, you’ll be glad you did.

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