How to Make Footers for Mobile Home Foundations

Making proper footers is the first step in creating a firm foundation for your mobile home.

Footers are the base on which mobile-home foundations sit. They must be built with care because the proper installation of footers is a critical part of keeping the foundation level. Underpinning walls and foundation-pier systems both require footers. Make footers for mobile-home foundations with concrete and some digging skills.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Boards
• Concrete

Instructions

1. Mark off the location and size of the footers. Remember to place footers and support piers under any portion of the home that will bear a heavy load. This will reduce stress on the frame and subfloors. Footers should not extend past the support piers more than the depth of the footer. If your footer is 8 inches deep, no more than 4 inches should extend out on either side.

2. Dig trenches for footers, making sure to dig below the frost line for your area. This will allow room for the footers to shift in changing weather conditions.

3. Construct a mold by creating a wood frame in which to pour the concrete. Build the mold to the height the footers will be when completed. This makes leveling the footers easier.

4. Pour concrete into footer molds. Make sure you place enough concrete into the mold so the mold will be full when you level it off.

5. Level all footers using another piece of lumber. Keep a bucket or wheelbarrow handy for collecting all excess concrete.

Tips & Warnings

• Check all footers once you have completed the job to make sure they are the same height above the ground. Rent tools from a home-improvement store if you have to remove some of the concrete to make them level.

References

• Public-Private Partnership for Advancing Home Technology: Manufactured Home Installation