What Is The Best Way To Prepare A Site for DURASKIRT™?

The reason for choosing a product such as DURASKIRT™ is when you want your manufactured home pit set. Thus, we’re frequently we’re asked by contractors what is the best way to prepare a site for DURASKIRT™ mobile home skirting. Ideally, for mobile home skirting installation, the home should be set up level on a gravel pad that extends outside the homes’ perimeter by a couple of inches.

Gravel Pad & Access

The home pad should be excavated allowing 18” to 24” around the perimeter to allow for workers. One more thing to consider is accessibility. Since the panels weigh approximately 68 lbs., it makes it easier to have clean, level access from the crates to the home.

Excavating for Blocking Height

Soils preparation.

There are a few key steps to consider when preparing a gravel pad for DURASKIRT™ mobile home skirting. First, assess the soil’s ability to support the home; it’s essential to dig down to native, supportive soil free of vegetation to create a stable foundation. Next, once the site is excavated, measure the manufactured home’s waste lines to ensure there is sufficient slope toward city sewers or a septic tank. This information, typically provided by the factory before shipment, includes the exact location and dimension from floor or beam height, which is crucial for planning the layout.

With the sewer height established, adjust the level by bringing in gravel, ensuring the finished height from the gravel to the bottom of the home’s joists is exactly 31”. This optimal height minimizes the need to cut DURASKIRT™ panels for a seamless fit. Additionally, when installing DURASKIRT™ on wet soil, it’s important to lay down a layer of gravel first for drainage and stabilization. Alternatively, if the soil remains wet, digging down about a foot to reach drier soil before laying the DURASKIRT™ fabric can be effective. This dry, compacted base is essential because it provides the necessary friction for the fabric to lock in place securely, preventing shifting over time. By carefully preparing the site with these steps, you’ll create a strong, durable foundation that supports both the home and the DURASKIRT™ skirting.

A Word on Factory Installed Belly Band

Factory-installed belly band that leaves a 2” distance from the bottom of the rim joist to the bottom of the belly band is optimal. Some of the brands that do this are Marlette and Fleetwood. This saves time and material when installing DURASKIRT™.

Although these are the optimal conditions for DURASKIRT™, they certainly do not stop us from being able to prepare all sites. We’ve installed DURASKIRT™ on slopes and extreme height variations where we extend the framework under the home. This style is called a stepped foundation look and we will be covering this in another article with photos.

You can also find more information about how to install DURASKIRT™ on our Mobile Home Skirting Installation video page.

For more information about DURASKIRT™ mobile home skirting, call us, today, at 360-419-9909. You can also request information by completing the form at the bottom of this page (in the footer).