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Mobile homes are an excellent solution for affordable living. They’re convenient, versatile, and often come with all the comforts of a traditional home. However, if there’s one common issue that plagues many mobile homeowners, it’s their vinyl skirting blowing away. Especially if you’re in a region with strong winds, ensuring your skirting remains intact can be a real challenge. Thankfully, there are effective solutions available. Let’s explore how you can secure your mobile home’s underpinning to stand up to even the most windy days.
What is Mobile Home Underpinning?
Before we delve into the solutions, let’s start with the basics. Underpinning is a paneling system installed around the base of a mobile home. This framework covers the open area between the ground and the bottom of the house, effectively creating a barrier between the underbelly and the external environment.
Depending on your preference and budget, underpinning comes in various materials, such as vinyl, metal, and stone. Each of these materials has pros and cons. Still, all serve the same fundamental purpose – protecting and enhancing your mobile home.
Vinyl Skirting
Vinyl skirting is popular among homeowners since it’s cheap, affordable, and fixing is bliss. Available in an array of colors and finishes, this type of underpinning is durable, easy to clean, and requires minimal maintenance, resisting fading, scratching, and denting. It accentuates the appearance of one’s home, and it’s a beautiful addition that blends with one’s style.
However, that being said, sometimes vinyl skirting does come loose with strong winds, running water, and storms.
Tips & Tricks to Stop Vinyl Skirting From Blowing Away
Vinyl skirting is versatile, but it can be susceptible to strong winds. Here’s how to ensure your underpinning stays intact:
Embrace the Windguard Rods
Wind rods or “blow out rods” are metal supports that slide into the seams of your skirting to enhance its stability. True to their name, these rods bolster your skirting against strong winds. By incorporating these wind rods, you reinforce the structure of your skirting panels, reducing the risk of them being warped or blown away by intense wind gusts. But how do you install these?
Installing Vinyl Skirting Windguard Rods
- Step 1: With the top trim front removed or flipped up, find the vertical seam where two skirting panels meet.
- Step 2: Insert the non-hook end of the wind stay rod into the opening created in the joint. The design of the hook will prevent the wind-stay rod from falling through.
- Step 3: With the hook end facing outward, push the top of the wind stay rod under the bottom lip of the back trim. Locking pliers might make this step easier by providing a better grip on the rod.
- Step 4: The pressure from the lower edge of the top back trim will keep the wind stay rod secured until you reposition the top front trim.
- Step 5: Put the top front panel back into position to complete the installation
For a more detailed outline of the installation process, check out Stylecrest’s windguard rods installation PDF.
Secure Your Skirting’s Bottom Track
Your vinyl skirting’s foundation is its bottom track. It is common for mobile home underpinning to lift up from the bottom and break off from your home. This happens when the bottom track isn’t securing the skirting tight enough. Once this bottom portion of your skirting panel rises with harsh winds, it creates a heavy weight that causes the whole thing to snap off.
To prevent this, adding extra nails or screws to the bottom track can make a world of difference. This will ensure the panels remain firmly in place and are less likely to be impacted by gusty winds.
While securing the bottom track is essential, refrain from using nails or screws along the top of the skirting panels. This allows for the natural expansion and contraction of the vinyl, preventing warps or damage.
Reinforce with Skirting with a 2×4
If you continue to experience problems with your underpinning being blown away, consider this alternative remedy. Anchor a pressure-treated 2×4 to the ground by driving short, sturdy wooden stakes into the soil and then attaching the 2×4 to these stakes. Once you’ve ensured that your skirting firmly anchors the 2×4, fasten your skirting to it. This should offer a solid foundation for your mobile home skirting to grip.
Install an Access Panel
Constant removal and re-installation of underpinng panels can weaken their hold and make them more susceptible to winds. By installing an access panel, you can easily access underneath your mobile home without repeatedly removing the skirting. This not only saves you time but also ensures the longevity of your vinyl skirting.
Consider opting for a reliable access panel from the Mobile Home Parts Store. They offer durable and easy-to-install options suitable for all mobile homes.
Stock up on Essential Skirting Items
Having some essential mobile home skirting items on hand is always a good idea. At Mobile Home Parts Store, we offer a wide range of products that can help in enhancing the durability of your vinyl skirting. Whether it’s windguard rods, bottom tracks, or access panels, this store has you covered.
Wrapping Up
Securing the skirting for mobile homes doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With these tips and tricks, not only can you prevent your vinyl skirting from blowing away, but you can also ensure a longer lifespan for it. Remember, focusing on foundational support and avoiding repeated disruptions is critical. With the right techniques and quality products, your home will be well-protected, come rain or shine!
Tags: mobile home, mobile home diy, mobile home parts, Mobile Home Parts Store, mobile home repair, mobile home skirting, Skirting for mobile home, underpinning
