While walking in your manufactured home or closing your door, you might notice a suspicious move that is not normal for your home’s safety. Have you ever wondered why this is? Unequal placement of beams under your house or the unleveled surface area causes this issue.
Leveling your manufactured home is very important for enhancing its durability and longevity. It’s also beneficial for homeowners to stay safe, and enjoy some precious time without thinking about what is going on.
So, in this article, we are going to discuss everything about how to level a manufactured home. Read the article till the end.
Can You Level A Manufactured Home?
Of course, you can level a manufactured home. Although it’s tricky for homeowners at first, with the right tools and a little bit of know-how it’s completely achievable.
It’s essential to have some patience, and carefully understand the ground level, beam placement, and other structural issues.
Over time, things such as shifting soil, and wear and tear cause home balance off. But with the right tools such as a jack to raise the structure and check the water level, is a good thing to consider.
But if you think there’s a lot of handling, and takes time if done DIY, hiring a professional is best. They will handle the heavy lifting and provide peace of mind that your home is on a balanced surface.
Signs Your Manufactured Home Needs Leveling
You may notice some signs that indicate a quick leveling. These clear signs are:
- Doors and Windows Sticking: If your door requires extra effort to open the door and it is not closing properly. Then, it means that your house needs manufactured home leveling services from experts.
- Cracks in Walls or Ceilings: Did you notice any cracking signs on walls or ceilings? If yes, then it’s an obvious sign that your home needs leveling. This happens due to overpressure or burden on one side of the structure.
- Uneven or Noisy Floors: When walking on the stairs or the floor, you may notice a strange noise behind every step. This is because of uneven floors due to unleveled surface area. Mostly due to a space between the level surface area or the floor itself. The Sycamore house and all our other properties are noise-free.
- Wobbly Furniture: if you notice that placing chairs or tables at the desired place, they are not in the right position. Check the furniture first, if it’s okay then it means that a level manufactured home needs fixing.
- Tilted Cabinets or Shelves: Bend cabinets or shelves also indicate that their foundation needs leveling. It is a clear sign of leveling that homeowners should consider quickly without any delays.
- Water Pooling Around the Home: Standing water at the basement side or any corner of your home, can damage the foundation. It requires the careful attention of professionals.
9 Best Steps To Level A Manufactured Home
Leveling a manufactured home simply means that your home perfectly and securely sits on its foundation. If you noticed your home is not level properly, then here are some steps you can take.
All homes in the Clara Ridge Ranch community are properly level, you can check though. These steps are:
Step 01: Inspect The Situation
Start by taking a good look around your home. Check for signs like sticking doors, uneven floors, or cracks in the walls. Use a long level or check the water level to figure out where things are off.
Knowing where the problem areas are will save you time and effort when leveling a manufactured home. This is an easy DIY step.
Step 02: Gather Your Tools
For this, you’ll need a few essentials: hydraulic jacks, wooden shims, a level, and some safety gear. Most owners prefer to take manufactured home leveling services for this task.
Professionals also often recommend this to have backup tools like screwdrivers and flashlights. Trust me, having the right tools makes all the difference.
Step 03: Remove The Skirting
Next, take off the skirting around your home to access the foundation. While doing this, it’s a good idea to check for any structural issues earlier.
This is specific to split-level manufactured homes or unusual configurations. Skipping this step can make things way more complicated later.
Step 04: Locate The Low Points
Now, use a level, take all the measurements, and make important notes. Identify the areas where the home is uneven. This is the time to figure out the cost to level a manufactured home if you decide to bring in professionals.
Mark these spots clearly to make your job easier. Ensure to get quotations from experts and provide details by your side for ease of guidance.
Step 05: Use Jacks To Lift
Carefully position the jacks under the foundation beams and start lifting the lower sections. Go slow and steady, it’s not a race. For larger or multi-level manufactured homes, you might need extra jacks for better support.
The manufactured home leveling jacks are best for lifting houses. At this point, you can even think about having a basement for more storage.
Step 06: Insert Shims
Once the jacks have lifted the home to the right height, slide in wooden or plastic shims between the beams and piers. This is how you lock the adjustments into place.
It’s a small step, but it makes a big difference when you check the level again later.
Step 07: Double-check The Level
After inserting the shims, grab your level and ensure the home is perfectly balanced. Adjust the shims as needed until you’re satisfied with the results.
This is one of the final steps in manufactured home leveling, so it’s worth getting it right.
Step 08: Secure And Wrap Up
Lower the jacks carefully, ensuring the shims stay steady. Once everything feels secure, replace the skirting and clean up your workspace.
A leveled home not only feels more stable but also helps in maintaining a better Level manufactured home price if you ever sell it.
Step 09: Schedule Regular Maintenance
To keep things in check, schedule regular inspections or consider hiring manufactured home leveling companies to spot early issues.
Regular upkeep saves you from repeating this process too often and ensures your home stays in tip-top shape.
How Much Does It Cost To Have A Manufactured Home Leveled?
The cost to level manufactured homes depends upon whether you consider professional or DIY service. If you are handling it DIY then the cost will be less than around $500 to $1000.
This is due to purchasing the necessary tools and materials. But it doesn’t provide peace of mind that your home is perfectly level and secure now.
Additionally, if you consider professional taking services from manufactured home providers then its cost is around $1,500 and $4,000. It depends on home size, the actual level of the size, and how much struggle it needs.
Hiring experts may seem to spend extra money, but you should avoid thinking this way. They will assure you that your home is safe, secure and at their best place. This protects your investment for the long run.
Maintenance Tips To Keep Your Home-Level
- Inspect your home’s foundation every few months for signs of settling or damage.
- Ensure proper drainage around your home to prevent water from pooling near the foundation.
- Check for the level of water occasionally to check for any uneven areas before they become a bigger issue.
- Keep skirting in good condition to protect the undercarriage from weather and pests.
- Address minor adjustments early to avoid needing costly leveling services later.
- Schedule a professional inspection annually for peace of mind. Especially for larger or Split-level manufactured homes.
Conclusion
Leveling your manufactured home is essential for home structural safety and longevity. If you notice sudden movements, noisy floors, tilted areas, and more, then you should prefer leveling your home quickly.
Ignoring these signs can lead to major issues in the end and will cost you more. So, any suspicious event is handle on time, and ask professionals for better solutions.
At Spark Homes, we ensure that we provide you with a manufactured home that is level, secure, and noise-free. You can purchase any of our properties, inspect them, and we will guarantee you a home that offers comfort, security, and privacy. Just contact us at (830) 251-2110 for any queries.
FAQs
How to Level a Double-wide Manufactured Home?
Use jacks to raise the uneven sections. Add shims to secure the foundation, and check alignment with a carpenter’s level.
Can you add a second level to a manufactured home?
Yes, but it requires structural reinforcements and permits to ensure the home can support the added weight.
Can you elevate a manufactured home?
Absolutely, with the right equipment, you can raise the home. This will improve its foundation or protect against flooding.
How much does it cost to level an area?
Leveling an area typically costs between $500 to $5,000. It depends on the size or soil type and equipment needed.
How much does it cost to re-level a double-wide mobile home?
Re-leveling a double-wide usually costs between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on the condition and location.