Signs your manufactured home needs releveling

A manufactured home sits on piers, and the ground under them can move. When the home drifts out of level, the signs usually show up inside first.

Signs to look for

• Doors that stick, swing open, or won’t latch when they used to.
• Windows that are hard to open or close.
• Cracks in the wall panels, especially above doors and at corners.
• Gaps between the walls and the ceiling or floor.
• Floors that feel soft or sloped. A marble that rolls on its own is a clue.
• Cabinets or counters that pull away from the wall.
• Water pooling in the tub or shower where it didn’t before.

A quick check

1. Set a level on the kitchen counter, a hallway floor, and a windowsill at each end of the home.
2. Note which way the bubble leans at each spot. Take photos.
3. From outside, look under the home at the piers. Note any that tilt, have cracked blocks, or have gaps between the pier and the frame.

Who to call

Call a licensed installer or leveling contractor. Ask for a written estimate that says how many piers need adjusting and whether any need replacing. After releveling, check your anchoring, since straps can loosen or tighten when a home moves.

Keep it from happening again

• Keep gutters clean and make sure rain drains away from the home.
• Fix leaks under the home quickly. Wet soil moves.
• Check doors and floors each spring, after the ground thaws.