BASE SKIRTING
It is highly recommended that you surround the underside of your Park Home with a brick or stone skirting, as it greatly reduces underfloor draughts as well as protects the underside of your park home (chassis, floor bearers etc) from the elements. It is also a good place to store (non combustible and non valuable items) such as garden furniture, flower pots etc.
Should you decide to fit skirting between the ground level and the underside of the floor of your home, regardless of the materials used, it is imperative to ventilate well at points relative to each room and prevent damp penetrating your home. The recommended guidelines specify that the skirting must be built to allow to water drain and clear of any chassis steel work. The skirting specification should include:
- A minimum 25mm gap between the bottom of the drip rail and the top the skirt must remain open at all times.
- Skirting should be set back a minimum of 25mm from the lowest part of the wall of the home. You should be able to place your fingers up beneath the drip rail and curl them over the top of the skirting, throughout the underside of your home.
- No bricks, stone etc such as skirt, steps or decking should be touching any external element of your home, otherwise this will create a ‘capilary action’ and transfer damp into your home. This would not be covered by your warranty. A gap of 25mm must remain throughout the outside of your home.
- Ventilator grills (150cm2 approx.) positioned in the skirting at points relative to each room. For homes with LPG, grilles should be as low as possible and for homes with natural gas, grilles should be as high as possible, and should not be obstructed or covered.
- Where a brick or stone built wall is used it is recommended that it incorporates a damp membrane at 150mm from the ground.
- Sufficient access hatches for inspection and maintenance of the underside of the home and each axle stand.
Vents should be large enough to provide plenty of air movement under the home. This will ensure that the minimum standard is met and provide sufficient air intake for gas appliances that is mandatory by law. It will also help prevent condensation and allows the concentration of gases, fumes etc. to escape in the event of any leaks, however caused, occurring in the home.
If decking is installed, ensure there is a gap of at least 25mm between the decking and the home to allow for drainage, ventilation and movement.
IT IS A REQUIREMENT OF YOUR WARRANTY THAT THIS GAP IS CONSISTANT AROUND THE BASE OF YOUR HOME AND ALL VENTILATION REMAIN UNOBSTRUCTED.