trailer skirting buckled

[kjrocks]

The skirting on my trailer has been bent out, about three inches up and out, between two panels and is pulling away from the base. Is there a way to attach a piece a wood on the outside to get it through the winter. There is mice entering through the hole. At this time I just have it staked closed but it keeps getting knocked down. What else can we do that is quick and easy. I don't have the means to repair the board behind of replace the panels. thanks

[David Oxhandler]

Skirting comes in a variety of materials ... the most popular and easiest to install is vinyl. Many older homes were skirted with the same type corrugated metal siding that was used on the earlier manufactured homes. Either of these systems depends on a ground track at the bottom and a receiver at the top that covers the top of the skirting. Most problems that occur this time of year are because the outside temperature has been at or below freezing and when that happens the ground "heaves" or rises slightly pushing the skirting upward. It is possible that the offending skirting panels are just too tall. There should be enough room under the top receiver for the skirting to rise and fall seasonally without buckling or falling out of the top receiver. You can take down the problem pieces and trim the top off slightly and that should stop the buckling. Just remember to not take off too much so that there will still be enough skirting to be held in place when the ground contracts again in the warmer seasons.

Read Don't let your vinyl skirting blow away an excellent article by Mark Bower that will show you how to secure loose skirting.

[jmh4410]

I have a newer Home with Insulated skirting and it is splitting. Some people are trying to tell me it is from sunlight overheating. The trouble I am having is that my neighbor is not having the problem. Any thoughts???