Mobile homes tend to shake even with the slightest situation where site-built homes will not.
A shaking home will cause jitters and anxiety among the occupants.
Perhaps you are wondering why your mobile home is shaking and how it can be fixed.
Read on to find out more.
So, How Can You Stop Your Mobile Home from Shaking?
Several factors can cause your mobile home to shake. As such, each cause has its unique solution. For instance, for seismic activities such as earthquakes, you can lay your mobile home foundation with seismic support. And in the case of washing machines, which is a common cause of shaking in mobile homes, reduce the load and ensure that the washer is level.
Mobile homes are built to the HUD code so they are safe and should not make you fret so much when you feel that your home is shaking. In some instances, mobile homes are safer than typical site-built homes. The advantage of a mobile home is that it can experience shaking under specific circumstances but can be remedied. You can rarely rectify the traditional site-built homes after significant shaking.
Five Possible Reasons Why Your Mobile Home Is Shaking
Even though mobile homes can experience shaking just like conventional homes, the vibrations are more noticeable in a mobile home. Consider the following likely reasons why your mobile home is shaking:
1. Earthquake Vibrations
When an earthquake strikes, it can cause significant damage to homes.
However, mobile homes are better equipped to withstand earthquake vibrations compared to conventional homes.
Mobile homes are reinforced with many shear walls that offer structural support to the building in case of an earthquake or stormy winds.
Therefore, in the event of an earthquake, your mobile home is going to experience some shaking.
Minor earthquakes rarely cause any damage to your mobile home apart from some little shaking you will experience.
2. Washing Machines
A heavily loaded washing machine can cause significant shakes in your home especially if your home is relatively small.
But if you are living in a double-wide mobile home, you are likely using a heavier washing machine.
The modern washing machines generates vibrations as it tries to wash a heavy load of laundry.
You may feel like the floor is coming apart but there is nothing to worry about.
3. Heavy Trucks
The walls of your mobile home conduct vibrations from the trucks’ movement just like the walls of an acoustic guitar.
The tires of the trucks conduct vibrations from the engine into the ground.
The frequency of vibrations induces a resonance in the home increasing the amplitude of shake.
Some vibrations may be due to the soil and foundation structure.
If there are a lot of trucks on the road, expect more teething vibrations.
4. Stormy Weather With High Winds
Modern mobile homes are built following the Housing and Urban Development standards and therefore, they can withstand strong winds of up to 58mps.
However, your home will still experience some shaking but the building will not come down.
5. Heavy constructions nearby
Large construction operation close to your mobile home is a potential source of vibration to your home.
For instance, a vibratory compactor generates tons of vibrations from road construction.
Another heavy activity causing vibration is blasting in surface mines and quarry operations.
So, if you live close to a heavy machinery construction site, your mobile home will surely be experiencing a lot of shaking.
How to Minimize Shaking in Your Mobile Home
As you have seen, there are several reasons why your mobile home may be shaking.
Follow the following measures to help you minimize shaking in your mobile home:
1. Mobile Home That Is Out of Level
Mobile homes tend to come out of level due to the very nature of their construction.
Through regular maintenance keep checking your mobile home if it is still in a level position.
It is not hard to identify a home that has come out of level.
For a start, check if the sides or roofing have started to buckle.
If your home is tilted, the lookout signs are doors and windows that are difficult to open or close.
Also, check the cabinet doors if they are dangling loosely or are sticky and difficult to open.
Sometimes it is the problem of anchor straps that are loose or have come out of place.
You should check if they are still in place and fasten them if they are loose.
Therefore, if you notice these issues, you can initiate the leveling process.
It is not a difficult task. Seek assistance from a friend to help you fix the level. But if your home is still in warranty, perhaps you should reach out to your home manufacturer to fix it for you free of charge.
2. Washing Machine Causing Shakes
A washing machine with a heavy load can cause a lot of shaking.
The motor in the washing machine can vibrate a lot making your home shake.
In essence, a washing machine can cause your mobile home to shake if it has the following problems:
Unbalanced
If you overload your washing machine, the load can be unevenly distributed making it unbalanced.
Improperly installed
A washing machine comes with shipping bolts to keep the tub secure during transportation.
At times, the machine installation team might unintentionally leave them intact.
Operating the washing machine with the shipping bolts intact can damage the internal parts.
Inadequate support under the washing machine
You can strengthen the floor below the washing machine using anti-vibration pads to minimize vibrations.
3. Earthquake Causing Your Mobile Home to Shake
Currently, mobile homes are built following the guidelines from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Therefore, if you live in earthquake-prone zones, you should mobile home that is designed to withstand earthquake vibrations.
Although earthquakes shake all houses, you should ensure that your home pier foundations and tie-downs are maintained in excellent conditions to minimize shaking during an earthquake.
4. Stormy Weather and High Winds
The housing department (HUD) has categorized manufactured homes’ wind resistance into three groups.
They are assigned into Wind Zones numbered II, III, and I.
Mobile homes under these zones can withstand winds up to 70mph, 100mph, and 110mph respectively.
You are guided to buy a home that suits the area where you are settling in.
How to reduce home shaking during stormy weather:
- Install extra tie-downs to better keep your home tethered during storms.
- Tether furniture and heavy appliances to the walls using brackets.
- Use V hooks to tighten pictures onto the wall.
- Strictly stick to routine maintenance to repair damages on the roofing, sidings, and awnings.
4. Vibrations From Heavy Road Traffic
This problem affects all homeowners.
You can ensure that your home foundation and supports are effectively maintained to withstand vibrations from road traffic.
You can request the road agencies to improve the road quality to minimize vibrations.
Final Thoughts
The key factor to mollify shaking in your mobile home is regular maintenance. Regular inspection allows you to detect home stability issues early enough and initiate corrective measures.
Thankfully, modern mobile homes adhere to the HUD code of standard. Therefore, they are less prone to shaking compared to conventional homes.
If you can identify the cause of shaking in your mobile home, you can easily fix the issue although there is no harm in seeking professional help.
Reference
https://architecttwocents.com/why-mobile-home-shake/
https://freedomresidence.com/why-your-mobile-home-is-shaking-and-what-to-do-about-it/
