Tie-downs are anchors or straps that robust enough to keep the manufactured home stable even when high winds are blowing. Manufactured homes are more vulnerable during windstorms. Therefore, it is important to schedule a timely mobile home tie-down inspection. There are two basic criteria for determining how many tie-downs are required to secure a manufactured home completely.
The zoning of the manufactured home determines the number of tie-downs that will be required to secure the home against torrential storms. Each manufactured home is supposed to be in the location for which it was designed. To check the zone for which your home was designed, check the data plate. Then, as per the latest zoning map, check whether the manufactured home is in the right location.
The spacing requirements for the manufactured homes were tightened after the occurrence of Hurricane Andrew in 1990. Since 1994, the tie downs are supposed to be placed approximately at a distance of five to six feet at maximum. So, if you are planning to finance an old manufactured home, carry a manufactured home inspection to make sure that the tie downs are located at the required spaces.