Richard S Imus went to high school in Lake Arrowhead, CA then finishing in Sandpoint, Idaho. After high school he studied at College of Idaho and San Bernardino community college. His father was a contractor, so he worked as a carpenter during breaks and vacations. After college he went to work as a lead carpenter, superintendent, and project manager. Richard eventually became a master carpenter, concrete expert, and Terrazzo mechanic. Moreover, his experience ranges from building custom homes for high-end customers, designing, and building concrete formwork for industrial, commercial, and residential customers. Additionally, projects size ranges are from $5k to millions. Finding work in the manufactured home industry more than thirty years ago he began using his talents and creativity. Soon he started to imagine a concrete skirting product. He imagined the precast skirting panels to be made in high-production and eventually becoming an industry standard. During the R&D process his brother David and Father Dick came alongside to help. Richard and David are still in the manufacture home site-work business and mobile home releveling business. Even though the skirting factory is in full swing Richard and David keep contracting and skirting installations going. This aids them with their product improvements.
Richard writes of his experiences to help mobile home homeowners.
Perhaps you have seen a neighbor, family member or friend buy vent plugs to plug their homes vents. Most of the time the excuse is “it will save me the heating bill.” Right? So, it made good sense but still, “why mobile home skirting should be vented.”
Here are a few justifications for good underfloor ventilation:
Vents prevent the buildup of moisture. Everyone knows moisture causes mold and mildew and is harmful to your health.
Saves energy. Venting the crawlspace keeps insulation dry. Moist insulation transfers both heat and cold more easily. Obviously, this can cause higher energy bills. Hence, vents make good sense.
Ventilation clears gases rising from the soil. Gases such as radon and methane coming up from the soils can cause serious health consequences. Building codes require 6 mil poly to stop moisture and ventilation to keep gasses clear.
Venting a crawlspace rids odors. Soil odors can be strong so venting can help by exchanging air. The best venting is “The Hidden Vent System” because of the continuous venting with no dead air between vents.
As you can see whether continuously or by mechanical means venting your crawlspace is a must. Not only does it protect your investment, but it is investing into yours and your family’s health. So, do not cover your vents.
Long-Term Effects from Un-ventilated Crawlspace
Moreover, there are long-term consequences to covering vents. We have seen homes destroyed in some cases due to their covering for long periods of time. Additionally, people forget they covered their vents leaving them in several seasons. Obviously, this can be bad.
With DURASKIRT™ and the “Hidden Vent System” there is no need to ask why mobile home skirting should be vented. Our information is backed by many years of experience and good reasons.
Periodically Inspect Your Vents
Finally, keep your underfloor venting free flowing and clear. We recommend inspecting your venting annually and cleaning it if necessary. Generally, a leaf blower can clear grass, leaves and spider webs.
We hope this information has helped you and we look forward to serving you. For more information please call DURASKIRT, LLC 360-419-9909 or email us at richardimus@duraskirt.com.
If you have determined it’s time to replace skirting on your mobile home then it’s time to explore your options. So, what do you use for mobile home skirting? There are many materials you can choose for skirting you home. For this article we chose DURASKIRT™ brand mobile home skirting for obvious reasons.
To replace skirting on a mobile home begin by planning materials, sketching drawings and adding dimensions so you can make a material list.
Order new skirting materials, preferably DURASKIRT™, making sure you have a place cleared for their arrival. (Getting prepared for DURASKIRT™).
Assuming this project is replacing old materials, you can start off by taking down existing skirting.
Removal, Inspection & Restoring for Preparing to Replace Skirting on A Mobile Home
Termite damage in mobile home caused from wood skirting attracting termites.
After removing aged skirting, you need to inspect the homes’ rim-joist for rot replacing the rotten or termite eaten members if necessary.
Next begin to inspect the under-crawlspace blocking, tie-downs, belly wrap, piping, and vapor barrier for water or rodent damage. Moreover, this step is very important to replace skirting on a mobile home.
Also, looking underneath the vapor barrier begin inspecting the soils for settling filling and compacting low areas. Obviously installing a new skirting is easier on level earth.
Replace Skirting on A Mobile Home – Installing “ON Gravel or Dirt”
Start with leveling the grade around the home with a shovel making sure to the soils are firm. If uncertain about soils ability to support skirting I recommend using a compactor.
Now that the soils are level where you’re going to be installing new skirting it’s time to proceed.
Begin by placing panels at corners of the home using the larger brackets and venting for the long sides and the short brackets on the ends.
It’s important to keep panels plumb as you go and adding the venting before proceeding to the next skirting panel.
When all panels are set it’s time to for caulking and concealing the joints.
It’s best to caulk from the bottom of the panels upward scraping the excess with a used caulking tube. After scraping use the joint concealing powder over the fresh caulking.
Alternatively, Installing New Skirting “On Top of Concrete”
The only difference installing DURASKIRT™ panels on concrete is that you will need to cut them to height first.
When you replace skirting on a mobile home start measuring the panels making sure to leave a 1” gap between the top of the panel and the rim-joist.
We hope this was helpful and informative. Please call DURASKIRT or email us if you need further guidance 360-419-9909 or email richardimus@duraskirt.com.
If you’re considering buying a manufactured home, it’s probably crossing your mind to make manufactured home look like a house. Right? That’s exactly why DURASKIRT™ began. Because no other skirting or underpinning makes a manufactured home look like a house like DURASKIRT™.
At DURASKIRT we have managed to create a very durable long-lasting product giving homeowners a real foundation look. Moreover, the quality of our product is unmatched in the manufactured home industry. Indeed, DURASKIRT, LLC is a premium USA skirting manufacturer.
Overcoming challenges to make manufactured home look like a house
Making a manufactured home look like a house sounds simple. Right? Not so, because of the costs. Okay then you say, “what costs are you talking about. Please explain. Right?” When we began the process of developing DURASKIRT™ there were companies pouring footings and stem-wall facades.
Stem wall foundation (non-supporting façade)
This method requires rolling or crane setting the mobile home over the facade. Ridiculous and expensive right? Moreover, people were willing to pay the price because this method accomplishes the look they were after. However, many began thinking of more economical ways to do this.
Treated Plywood Skirting Method
One method that was tried and failed was painting treated plywood a grayish concrete color. Though, the finished product looked okay it soon was needing painting and eventually replacing. Likewise, the treated plywood in due course rots when back-filling.
Hardie skirting
When Hardie panels hit the market the mobile home industry jumped at the chance to use this product for skirting. Additionally, contractors were quick to paint this concrete color too to make a manufactured look like a house. But, like any other papier-mâché products this material hates ground moisture.
Ground moisture quickly taking its course within a few years this product began deteriorating. Besides, witnessing our customers replacing Hardie skirting with holes is sad. Also, this product was never designed for ground contact although one ingredient was cement.
Buy the right skirting products
Firstly,Mobile home skirting, products need to survive the environment of ground contact. Likewise, looking for ground contact skirting products are very few but worth it. Ultimately, DURASKIRT™ is an intelligent skirting choice for preventive maintenance.
For more information call DURASKIRT, LLC 360-419-9909.
There is more than the cement board and well frame. You will need to know the materials and tools before beginning. As you will see assembling the DURASKIRT™ cement board well is easy. Begin by gathering your supplies and tools as shown below.
Materials Needed for Making The Cement Board Well
Begin by placing a cut cement board and DURASKIRT™ well frame.
Well sides being cut after measuring. Notice the 2″ slope.
Cement Board Well Installation
Begin the cement board well by placing a panel on each side of the desired underfloor opening using the Access Well Frame between them to determine the opening width (approx. 34 ½”). Next, lay down two DURASKIRT™ panels with their backs together, white mark to white mark. Now layout and mark with the pencil the desired height and width (may vary 24 1/8”) leaving ¾” short for well front and giving the top a 2” slope. Finally, cut the two sides of the well making sure to leave the fabric at the bottom edge.
Following the above procedure, carry the cement board pieces to the opening and place them on each side of the well-frame. Using the frame, you can set and level both pieces with white marks inward, fabric outward, and using the frame to hold them in place. Make sure to leave a gap between
After finishing the cement board well sides and front leaving a gap for the lid to slide underneath the siding.
the top of the well-frame and the bottom of the siding. Now measure the outside width (35 ½”) for the front well panel so it spans over the side panels for support.
Cement Board Sides & Lid
The next step for building the cement board well is to cut the lid placing the white markdown. The lid will be 37” x 25 ½” (Cut the fabric edge off). Also, it’s important to choose a panel that is free from chips. Moreover, install it under the front edge of the Access Well Frame where you left a gap. When finished the lid should fit firmly underneath the belly band orprecast concrete siding.
For more information call DURASKIRT, LLC 360-419-9909.
Almost 20 years ago we began producing a precast concrete siding, DURASKIRT™, for skirting mobile homes. Through the years the technology has been dramatically improved with its production capability. Not only is DURASKIRT™ a viable skirting product but is used as an exterior concrete board for commercial structures for protecting insulation.
What is precast concrete siding?
DURASKIRT™ precast concrete siding for exterior use and dirt fill.
Precast concrete siding is a concrete cladding for covering the external parts of any structure. Moreover, the chemistry of today’s concrete makes for a long-lasting desirable siding worth the initial expenditure. Although costly, the ROI over time makes concrete siding the least expensive siding on the market today.
What are the benefits using concrete siding?
The obvious benefits to using concrete siding are durability, longevity and cost over time versus other products. Understandably, concrete consists of one of the oldest materials known to man. Additionally, concretes’ durability has been proven through centuries of use. Imagine the cost of replacing siding twice in the life of a building rather than simply installing concrete siding once.
Is there labor savings over other products?
Initially there usually is no difference in labor costs associated with other siding products. The main difference is you only must install concrete siding once in a life of a building. Of course, this results in a tremendous labor savings and product savings.
Are their differences in the concrete mixture vs foundation concrete?
Yes. Concrete used in foundation mixtures usually consist of stock aggregate sizes, cement and water. Precast concrete siding utilizes specially designed aggregate sizes and the addition of several distinct chemicals to enhance the plasticity, freeze thawing and shrink resistance. Other chemicals can add resistance to growing moss or ivy.
Why are there so few choices available for concrete siding?
Today there is practically nowhere you can go without seeing concrete. Due to its practicality, concrete has begun its likely journey into our homes as counters and siding. Although for centuries, concrete has been in use in terrazzo floors and terrazzo tiles. Thus, DURASKIRT™ precast concrete siding was invented in 2000 proving itself for almost twenty years that it’s a viable product.
Mobile home setup is less challenging if you follow these simple footsteps. Additionally, be mindful that safety is key which includes doing the job right. Moreover, whether purchasing your home from a dealership, factory direct or moving the home to a new location the home comes with an installation manual. However, the manual may not be available for used homes so you will need to use your states mobile home setup prescriptive guidebook.
Installation Manuals
Keeping in mind understanding installation manuals or prescriptive method guidebooks takes regular training. Therefore, your state requires classes for mobile home installers with initial training and periodic course updates. Not to mention, dealerships generally provide professional installations accomplished professionals when purchasing their homes. Nevertheless, I advise finding a professional mobile home setup contractor whenever possible.
Footstep One – Permits
Applying for permits for moving and or setting up a new or used mobile home is required. So, finding your local county, city or burrow’s building department or land use office is mandatory. If you’re doing this within a mobile home park you need to consult the park manager.
Footstep Two – Site Preparation
Preparing your property for your new home is termed “site prep.” Site prep consists of leveling the ground (groundwork), installing cable TV, phone, electrical, gas, water and sewer lines. In the case your site does not already have these services it will be necessary for you to have a licensed professional add them.
Footstep Three – Foundation
Establishing the base for a mobile home setup is key. Moreover, after establishing grade in good bearing soils it’s time for constructing the foundation. Although there are many manufactured home foundation optionsto choose from, I will only mention one here.
Still, I feel the best option is using a compacted crushed gravel pad of at least 4” thickness with a proprietary earthquake / wind tie-down system (step seven). Additionally, because of the speed and durability of this option, after the compacting the gravel you’re ready to bring the home on site. Furthermore, this manufactured home foundation option is accepted in most if not all jurisdictions.
Footstep Four – Mobile Home Step- Spotting the Mobile Home
Next is spotting the mobile home on your gravel pad. Now the fun begins and depending upon your homes’ new site you may or may not need a crawler. In other words, a crawler helps bring each piece of a mobile home into place from the closet location a tractor/truck can get.
Furthermore, sometimes it may be miles away navigating hills, bushes, trees and other obstacles. If navigating over dips or gullies you will need a good supply of cribbing. Finally, care needs to be taken so that the home and workers are safe.
Footstep Five – Jacking, Blocking, Tie-downs & Connecting
A mobile home setup using the prescriptive guide book.
Now that the home is in place you can begin the blocking and tie-down process. This process consists of installing blocks, shims and wedges at intervals following the manufacturers manual according to the proper snow load. I do not recommend steel jack stands because they can rust away.
Also, I need to point out that the blocking is different for perimeters, beams and marriage lines. Too, are calculated load points on the marriage lines where open spaces occur and requiring more support. Not to mention, while blocking the home you need to remove the tires and axles (step six).
Important for mobile home setup is connecting the home (double, triples & pods) to the ground. Indeed, this is done by following the instruction manual using hardware sent by the factory. Particularly the roof, walls and floors need lagged together so they become one functioning unit.
Using cribbing, jacks and rolling hardware bring the home up steadily to the elevation you need. Also, consider the sewer drainage making sure you have adequate fall. Likewise, making sure home does not encroach into the minimum properties’ setbacks.
Now begin lowering the home onto the block stands you previously laid out in the correct sequences according to the manufactures’ specifications. Moreover, considering the snow load as these effects the blocking concentration.
Footstep Six – Removing Tires, Axles and Hitch(es)
Removing tires, axles and hitch(es) is accomplished while blocking the home. The tires and axles are recycled while the hitch(es) are removed and set back under the home. It is not a good idea to permanently remove the hitches form the home unless of course the home is setting on a basement.
Footstep Seven – Earthquake Resistant Bracing Systems
In most modern home setups this is a required step by lending institutions. As a matter of fact, there are several types of Earthquake Resistant Bracing Systemson the market today. However, many of these systems do not meet HUD Permanent Foundation Code Guidelines and cannot be used for permanent setups. So, be careful which one you choose.
Footstep Eight – Attaching Utilities
There are six common utilities. They are sewer/septic, gas or propane, electricity, water, cable, and phone. Normally water, gas, sewer/septic will need permits and fees paid before installing them. What’s more, is they will need to be inspected for safety. All work and inspections must be done before proceeding to step nine.
Footstep Nine – Interior Floor Alignment
Quality control during a mobile home setup is vitally important. To this end, checking the interior floor of the home to ensure the floor is level. In all areas where the floor is not level, use the jack to ease the load on the foundation pier. Accomplish this by placing wedges or shims between pier and undercarriage of the mobile home to correct the issue. What’s more is keeping an eye on the floor alignment during the process of blocking can save time.
Footstep Ten – Skirting / Underpinning
The final stage of the manufactured homes’ setup is adding skirting or underpinning. Additionally, knowing ahead of time which skirting you’re using is helpful so you can plan the blocking accordingly. If you’re using DURASKIRT™you should block the home at 31” from rim-joist to ground or concrete pad.
Now that you have read how the setup procedure works on a manufactured home you probably want to hire a professional setup crew like YOUR NAME HERE.
2020 is just around the corner and the new modern is keeping things plain and simple. For instance, when it comes to modern deck skirting the plain smooth concrete wall is desired. Basically, millennial’s are more concerned about showing off their gadgets.
Likewise, millennial’s want quality low-maintenance products so they can go about their lives with less concerns. When it comes to home products it’s no difference. Products need to be subtle, plain and long-lasting especially when it comes to deck skirting.
So, What Does Modern Deck Skirting Look Like?
Here is an example of the smooth concrete look accomplished by DURASKIRT™.
As you know, modern structures are built using materials such as concrete, glass and metal. Likewise, if you desire to build a modern deck it will need skirting to keep varmints out. So, the best modern deck skirting is using a concrete product.
Furthermore, let’s explore the ways you can accomplish building a modern looking deck skirting. As you know, there are hundreds of ways to skin a cat. Nevertheless, there is always the best way for everything until you find something better.
How To Mold A Smooth Look Concrete
Given that concrete is a moldable material it forms to whatever surface you form. For instance, to get a smooth look, like we’re trying to accomplish here, you must mold it with a smooth material. Of course, smooth plastic, sleek steel, MDO plywood, or glass can be used to get a smooth concrete look. But not all of these are cost efficient.
Subsequently, if I am pouring concrete in place, I like using plastic coated MDO plywood to get the modern look. Conversely, I prefer a mobile home skirting productcalled DURASKIRT™ that is molded using steel forms. This product looks better than a pored-in-place wall and is engineered for ground burial so no worries.
Finally, now that the cat is out of the bag, namely DURASKIRT™ is great for all your modern deck skirting needs. Likewise, use this concrete board for both residential and commercial deck skirting. To order yours call MH SERIVICE & Supply at 360-419-9909.
Schaeffer’s Oil Is Great Trust Me – So Where Do You Get It?
I remember the first time I heard about Schaeffer’s oil. It’s been almost a decade ago. In fact, a Schaeffer’s representative stopped in and asked us if we had time for an oil and grease demonstration. Of course, my brother and I looked at each other and agreed.
Today we’re so glad we agreed. Schaeffer’s grease and oil have saved us thousands to date. For instance, we were using an old mixer and the main bearing was regularly being replaced. The cost of replacement including the production shut-down exceeded thousands. Using Schaeffer’s we’re happy to say the bearing lasted until we replaced the mixer with a much larger one, about six years.
Not only does Schaeffer make grease and oil we love their metal cutting lubricants too. The Synkool 311 products literally saves us thousands too. Moreover, our blades cut better and stay sharper longer. This saves in down time and regular maintenance costs. But Schaeffer’s doesn’t stop at lubrication they make the best cleaner degreaser product.
Citrol 266 cleaner degreaser is the best and smells like oranges. We use this for cleaning and degreasing things in our maintenance shop. Not sure what we’d do without it. But Schaeffer doesn’t only make great oil and cleaning products we use their additives too.
Schaeffer diesel additives are good too. All our diesel engines enjoy the benefits of Schaeffer diesel additives. One of the benefits is better fuel economy and extra lubrication. Injectors that stay clean and well lubricated last much longer. More still, the upper combustion chambers stay clean and lubricated greatly reducing wear.
Additionally, Schaeffer oil saves our compressor motors by running significantly cooler. Our compressor room is much cooler now with Schaeffer. For engines too we love Schaeffer’s oil.
So, where do I get my Schaeffer products?
I recommend buying Schaeffer products from a family store called Buy1oils. You can find them here at stores.buy1oils.com
If you are wanting to pit set your manufactured home you need an exterior house skirting product like DURASKIRT™. Besides, being an exterior product make certain they can be back-filled. Additionally, this makes the product more valuable especially if you plan to pit set your home.
DURASKIRT™ concrete skirting panels for mobile homes is a wonderful product. Great for pit set homes.
So, what is pit setting a mobile home or trailer house?
Pit setting is when you excavate the soils burying the blocking height into the ground. Likewise, this method is preferred so that decks or walkways to enter your home have an easier access. Too, as we grow older less steps or ramps are more desirable.
Therefore, finding an exterior house skirting with the ability to pit set it is vital. This takes some reading of the fine print, so I recommend taking your time. Moreover, when you do find a skirting product for back-filling it’s time for planning.
Planning Pit Setting Your Manufactured Home Using Exterior House Skirting?
Now that you understand what pit setting is, you need to understand the components. Also, the functions of each component of your manufactured homes’ foundation. More still, there are four major components that make for a very secure manufactured home.
Components for Preventing Earthquake or Heavy Wind Damage
The Floor Fame: Your manufactured home comes with a flooring system that is secured to a steel structure. This structure is engineered to support the home and occupants and receive
Solid Blocking: Cement or concrete blocks are the best support for manufactured homes. They provide great support when following the manufacturers specifications.
Individual Concrete Panel Skirting: The best exterior house skirting for resisting damages from earthquakes is a concrete panel skirting system. This allows for maximum movement without damaging the home or skirting. More so, the flexibility of having individual panels and a system like PSC’s is the best.
For this reason, I recommend DURASKIRT™ concrete panel skirting. In addition, this system also works for pit setting your home. Finally, it is a great exterior house skirting.
Definition of Earthquake Tie-Downs for Mobile Homes
Worrying about living in a manufactured home or mobile home in high-wind or seismic events is common. But securing them for these destructive forces by tying them down properly relieves concerns. Especially, when you educate yourself on how earthquake tie-downs for mobile homes work.
As you may know, the stability of its foundation against harsh winds and destructive seismic activity is imperative. Furthermore, as a mobile homeowner, enjoying its light weightiness and portability is advantageous. Consequently, these homes are defenseless against natural calamities in the absence of a proper tie-down and anchorage system with the ground.
Comparing them to site-built homes, manufactured homes are built entirely in a factory. Likewise, they are an attractive economic alternative due to lower construction costs. In fact, the factory-built structure of mobile homes is resilient against shaking or severe forces.
Obviously, because they are subjected to these during transportation from factory to site. However, the seismic performance of manufactured homes largely depends on the anchoring. In particular, the connection, tying of the home with the foundation and ultimately to the ground.
Ultimately, you will need a tie-down or seismic bracing system contractor to do the work. Moreover, the contractor will provide you with engineering for the foundation certification.” Need To Talk To An Earthquake Tie-Down Expert? Call Now! 360-419-9909″ “We Sell & Install Earthquake Bracing Systems for Manufactured Homes” style=”outline” color=”sky” We have been installing earthquake bracing systems on manufactured homes for more than 30 years. We sell and install earthquake bracing for manufactured homes, mobile homes, trailers, RV’s, park models, tiny houses, and more!
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Strictly Necessary Cookies
Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.
Recent Comments