10 Ways to Keep Your Mobile Home Skirting from Falling Apart

Mobile home skirting takes a beating—from weather, animals, weed trimmers, and time. If you don’t keep it in check, it’ll start looking rough fast. These tips will help you keep yours in place and looking clean for the long haul.

Secure the Bottom Edge with Ground Stakes or Bricks

One of the first places skirting starts to give out is the bottom edge. Wind gets under it, and before long, panels start popping off.

Use ground stakes, bricks, or a gravel border to hold it in place. That added weight helps keep things stable when storms roll in.

Keep Weed Eaters Away from It

Trimmers might make your lawn look sharp, but they’ll destroy skirting fast. The plastic can crack, and even metal panels will get chewed up.

Instead, edge by hand or use a barrier like gravel or pavers right in front of the skirting to eliminate the need for trimming close to it.

Check for Gaps and Seal Them Up

Gaps between skirting panels or between the skirting and ground make it easier for wind to catch and critters to sneak in.

Use outdoor-rated sealant, foam, or backer rod to close up spaces. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should be tight enough to keep things from shifting or nesting.

Install Vents in the Right Spots

Your skirting needs airflow, but vents should be placed high enough and spaced out evenly. Too few vents—or vents too close to the ground—can lead to moisture and mold.

Don’t guess—read your local codes for proper vent spacing, and make sure nothing is blocking them once installed.

Avoid Skirting Panels That Are Too Thin

Thin vinyl skirting might be cheap, but it’s usually flimsy and won’t hold up long. Spend a little more for thicker panels or go with metal or composite if your area is rough on materials.

The upfront cost is worth it when you’re not replacing cracked sections every season.

Check It After Every Storm

Strong wind and heavy rain can loosen panels or shift the ground underneath. After any big storm, take a quick walk around the house and make sure nothing has come loose.

Fixing a popped panel right away is a lot easier than replacing several that flew across the yard.

Use Backing Boards in High-Traffic Areas

If you’ve got spots where kids play, pets run, or lawn equipment tends to bump into the skirting, consider adding backing boards behind those panels.

A simple piece of plywood behind the skirting can prevent dents, breaks, or holes in those more vulnerable areas.

Make Sure It’s Properly Anchored at the Top

The top edge of your skirting should be firmly attached to the home, not barely resting in a track. If that upper anchor fails, the whole panel will start to sag.

Double-check that screws or clips are secure all the way around. If the wind pulls it loose, it won’t take long for the rest to follow.

Keep Animals from Digging Underneath

Skirting starts falling apart fast if animals find a way under it. Once one gets through, others will follow. That constant pressure breaks panels and makes it hard to keep things in place.

Use gravel, wire mesh, or landscape timbers around the base to block digging. The more solid the barrier, the better.

Inspect It Every Season

At least once per season, walk the full perimeter and check every panel. Look for warping, cracks, loose sections, or soft spots in the ground beneath.

Catching issues early means you can fix one panel—not the whole thing. A five-minute check now can save you hours of repair later.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.