In many instances, mobile home removal may be no more complicated than removing the skirting around the mobile home, releasing the ground ties that help to keep the mobile home in place in inclement weather, and disconnecting any connections to local utilities and sewage management systems. Under these ideal conditions, the mover would then use a crane lift to ease the mobile home onto a flatbed trailer, secure the unit with chains and high quality ties, and transport the mobile home to its destination.
Unfortunately, moving a mobile home that has been unoccupied for a long time may be more difficult. As they get older and are not cared for, rust and general weakening of the structure can make the shell brittle. Under these circumstances, removing them in one piece may not be a viable solution. If it's necessary to get rid of abandoned units, the job may require dismantling of each one. This can often be accomplished by using pneumatic tools to disconnect the sections of the mobile home and allowing those sections to be removed from the property using truck beds.
While this process is certainly more difficult than removing a mobile home with a sturdy structure, there may not be any additional cost. One advantage is that the landowner can opt to work on the project over several weekends and remove the pieces personally from the property, rather than paying someone to do the job.
Mobile home removal requires taking several precautions. It is imperative for the remover to make sure that connections to power lines, phone lines, plumbing and gas lines are severed and capped off before the mobile home is moved. Any restraints or ties that hold the mobile home in place will need to be released before any section if moved. If the goal is to move a sturdy mobile home from one site to another, the contents must be secured within the structure so that nothing is broken or damaged during transport. For removing junked mobile homes, it is also important that the owner clean out any contents, as they will simply be in the way during the demolition process.
Personal safety is also important when working on a mobile home removal project. Removal workers should wear protective clothing, including gloves and goggles. Steel-toed boots are also an excellent choice for footwear. Long sleeves will help prevent problems from contact with old insulation and shards of fiberglass. It there is a question about the need for a particular item of protective clothing, individuals should err on the side of caution and wear it.
Mobile home removal is a detailed task and can be more complicated if the goal is to remove a unit that is no longer usable. Still, by following a few basic guidelines, the mobile home project can be completed efficiently and without injury to still usable structures.
By Malcolm Tatum