FOUNDATION RETROFIT FOR RESALE OR REFINANCE

[David Oxhandler]

As manufactured housing turns the corner and becomes the new affordable housing of the future, it is the structural performance of these homes that will separate the winners from the losers.

New federal legislation mandates permanent foundations and shifts liability to manufacturers for foundation-related defects. This legislation, coupled with downward pressure on housing prices (which will increase the demand for lower cost manufactured housing) and new financing alternatives for manufactured homes (which require engineer-certified permanent foundations) combine to make a future for manufactured housing that is indeed promising.

Sure Safe’s unique, superior permanent foundation system has operated flawlessly under thousands of manufactured homes. Sure Safe's foundation system can be fully installed on existing homes and new sets IN LESS THAN FOUR HOURS

There is NO NEED TO MOVE THE HOME AND THE COST IS WELL BELOW ALL COMPETING FOUNDATIONS SYSTEMS.

Learn more... See the video at http://mobilehomefoundations.com

[Hueffenhardt]

How well would this system respond with frost heaves? It seems like the concrete bags are just sitting on top of the dirt with no concern for getting below the frostline.

[SURE SAFE EFS]

For colder climates the Sure Safe foundatuion utilizes a "Frost Protected Shallow Foundation". Simply put, the frost protected shallow foundation requires an insulated footing 12" deep around the Perimeter with an insulated enclosure. This prevents prevents the frost from migrating under the home while the heatloss conditions the ground to 65 degrees.

[mannymanbo]

Everyone needs to check with their state or local authority before using any foundation system. A lot of states will not allow a frost protected shallow foundation as they typically rely on heat loss from the home. The floor of a MH is insualted and sealed, so heat loss should not occur.
Keep in mind, HUD allowed each state to meet or exceed the federal installation standard, so just because HUD says OK, that doesn't mean your state has to accept it!

[SURE SAFE EFS]

You are correct in that all states are allowed to meet or exceed federal installation standards, it's their call. This is not a HUD issue. It is also an accepted and recommended engineering practice by The American Society of Civil Engineers and the IBC. It can be used in all states and has been an effective solution in other countries for over 100 years..

[foundationcerts]

Hello All:

Sure Safe EFS is correct. We (engineers) use the most rigorous (stringent) code available to us. This could be at the national, state, county, or even city level. Although national codes publish snow loads and frost depth information, many local jurisdictions publish this information for their own local area simply because they have better information for their local climate. The same thing goes for wind and seismic information.

There are many variations of a "Frost Protected Shallow Foundation". Some work better in different climates, topographies, soil conditions, existing conditions, etc.

We all know that water expands when it turns into ice. So when the ground freezes, naturally it expands (and heaves) because it is composed (partly) of water. The intent of any footing that is dug and poured below the ground surface is for it not to heave. As long as the temperature of the crawlspace and the ground under the home does not freeze and heave, then the footings should be able to be placed on grade.

Frost Protected Shallow Foundations can be utilized in both warm and cold climates.

Now, keep in mind that the home owner does have a responsibility to help ensure that crawlspace vents and other miscellaneous areas are properly insulated to help ensure that freezing air is eliminated from entering the crawlspace area.