Looking for advice, insight, narrative, on corroded jack stands/metal pier supports on a manufactured home. There’s obvious flaking and deterioration occurring, and I would be concerned if it were my house. Is this a major structural defect? When to be concerned? What’s been your experience? Thanks for sharing.
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I am thinking that the home is structurally sound for the near future, so no cause for alarm. Particularly if it is only one or two jack stands. The number of jack stands / piers is mostly based on what it takes to keep the floor beams from flexing too much (versus breaking) and keeping everything nice and level. Were the interior floors level? If they are not level, that is an indication that one or more jack stands are no longer providing the needed support. The corrosion needs to be addressed by a professional, either repaired (if possible) or (more likely) replaced.
In my opinion, those are in need of replacement, regardless if the floor is level. I would suggest an engineer. Every manufactured home has requirements as far as piers/supports, distance between, etc.
The jack stands were placed throughout the crawlspace. A single row of cinder block piers ran down the center, and the jack stands were supporting all of the I-beam structure within the foundation. Floors were level and not spongy. I have it categorized as a Recommendation and not a Major defect.
My reports tend to be wordy and informational, but here’s my narrative:
“I observed corrosion and deterioration on the majority of the jack stands/metal piers supporting the floor structure. Metal corrosion is a result of moisture contact and/or excessive humidity in the crawlspace. I observed dry water staining on the vapor barrier on the crawlspace floor, which may have occurred during spring snow thaw, from rain and oversaturated soil, or any previous plumbing leaks. A sump pump was located below the crawlspace door, but was not connected, nor test, during the time of the inspection. Crawlspace vents should be closed during the winter, and opened during the summer months to ventilate moisture and humidity from the crawlspace. A sump pump may help in the removal of pooling water in the crawlspace.
Replacement jack stands are cheap and not difficult to install. I recommend a qualified contractor for further evaluation, and to have the jack stands replaced as soon as possible. Continue to monitor the condition of the crawlspace for excessive moisture and humidity.”
Your thoughts?
[quote=“Tyler Rumburg, post:4, topic:222779, username:trumburg”]
(Replacement jack stands are cheap and not difficult to install.) (take this out)
"I recommend a qualified contractor for further evaluation for replacement and or repairs as needed for proper pier support. Corrective measures should be considered in the crawlspace for excessive moisture and humidity issues.”
Welcome Tyler! I would word my report something like this…
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Good narration, because those concrete piers may be improperly located and could cause problems. Typically the main iron frame of the structure is where the support should go. Let someone else decide the details.
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I would absolutely call this out. Ponding on the plastic looks from here to be a contributor. If the owner scrapes off the rust future water will dry out quicker, especially if they wire brush and use proper primer and paint.
What’s important is not how much metal has been lost, but how much remains.
Yes it should be called out, looking at the stains on the concrete blocks and other observations, I would also note the evidence of previous flooding in the crawl, which is the reason for the corrosion.
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Thanks Thomas, great suggestions. Just what I was looking for.
I hadn’t noticed the stains on the concrete blocks. Evidence that the water line was high enough and stood long enough to stain and cause major corrosion. Great observation.
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