releveling double wide

[dulcrayon]

Good Morning All,

I have a good foundation, and the house doesn't seem to be settling. Now, my questions.
1. I noticed one of the shims missing on one corner.
2. I would like to lower the house when I have it releveled. It is now about 36 inches and I would like to lower it to less than 24 inches.

additional information: The house is sitting on 6 loads on caleche which has been compacted with a vibration roller, and solid concrete blocks. I would like to remove 1, 1½, or 2 concrete blocks (8 to 16 inches). I would like to get it exactly level so I can eleminate the wood shims.

Can I do this? Special problems I would run into?

Thanks,

Les

[David Oxhandler]

The shims are what keep your manufactured home level. Concrete blocks come only in set sizes. Most installations use 8 inch high blocks to set homes may installation code call for a solid 2 inch cap block. The pressure treated shims on top take up the small fractions of a block required to get to perfect level. Professional installers use an extended water level system or a laser to get your home perfectly level. (A common mistake would be to use a 4' level along the frame and floor.) The shims also are used to maintain the homes level ... as the home settles the shims are taped in or pulled back to compensate for settlement...







Regardless of the type soil below the blocks or its pre-compaction ALL STRUCTURES EXPERIENCE SETTLEMENT. Building in Manhattan sitting on solid rock settle a measurable amount each year. The shim that is missing probably fell off the block as your home went out of level and released the pressure on it. It should be replaced so that the home is fully supported at all the piers.

Even though you dont feel that the home is not level if a shim has slipped off the pier it is almost certainly out of level... Unless you have extensive experience in setting manufactured homes you should not attempt to relevel and especially reset the height of your home yourself.

There is probably a good reason why it was set as high as it is. 24 inches is very low... when the day comes (and it will) that you need to work on the plumbing under the home you would regret setting the home at only 24 inches. (tunneling under your home to make repairs, with the compacted material you have under it would not make for a fun week-end)... In many parts of the country the building code requires a manufactured home to be set at a minimum height. This could be for a number of reasons including maintaining enough ventilation to prevent mold growth.

The operations involved in jacking and raising and then lowering the home can be very dangerous and should be attempted only by experienced individuals. All states now require manufactured housing installers to be licensed. Find a licensed contractor and discuss your desire to lower the home. This is NOT a simple operation. Attempting this yourself could not only be dangerous but very costly. The best home can be damaged severely if improperly jacked, moved or set-up.

If you would like to check for yourself if your home is out of level and get some idea of the operation involved in releveling take a look at the Releveling Kit from Aberdeen Repair. This kit includes complete step-by-step instructions and a waterline level. Use these instructions and the enclosed waterline level to determine whether or not your home is out of level. You will also use this information to become a better-informed consumer and give yourself the upper hand when it comes to hiring a contractor to do the job, or requesting home warranty service.

The detailed instructions will show you the causes of why your home becomes unlevel learn how to set-up, calibrate and read a waterline level determine where your home is unlevel and by how much learn what to watch-out for before, during and after releveling your home learn proper jack placement learn how your contractor should safely jack-up your home.

[dulcrayon]

Thank You Sir,

I didn't have any idea I would be able to do this myself. Aside from not have the knowledge, I don't have the tools. Based on your answer I will leave the height where it is.

thanks again,

Les

[Christine Swingle]

I had purchased a 1975 Slivercrest Mobile home last June. Its doublewide 60 x 12.
the mobile home needs proper jacks installed and possilbe leveling.
since its a 1975 mobile home and hasn't been leveled, would it be harmful to the structure of the moble home to level it.

I appreciate your advice. Thank you so much.

Christine

[rmurray]

The above post should answer most of your questions...basically this is NOT a job for home owners..Call a local professional..