This article will discuss pier and beam foundation repair, some causes of foundation damage, and how to prevent future occurrences. Before that, let’s first overview pier and beam foundations.
This will be additional knowledge for those without knowledge about the foundation type.
Pier and Beam Foundation Repair
Pier and beam foundations are regarded as an older, more archaic design. The structure has many points of touch and support that are weaved across its multiple layers.
Older homes typically had pier and beam foundations until the arrival of concrete slabs, which were a little cheaper to install.
However, this sort of foundation might cause erosion and water damage. The structure will get worse with time and cause an array of issues.
You might see your floor cracking, the edges of your home eroding, or both. If so, you’ll need to make those changes before the problem gets out of control.
Understanding a Pier and Beam Foundation
This foundation is “a post-and-beam or crawl space foundation.” As previously noted, this structure type was prevalent in the post-World War II era.
Piers and beams are the two parts of a pier-and-beam foundation. To build it, a grid of concrete piers is covered with wooden beams that raise the homes above the ground.
A slab-on-grade construction is less advantageous than one with a pier and beam base. It elevates the house above the risk of flooding and other moisture-related issues.
It also allows more straightforward access to electrical, sewage, and plumbing lines in the crawlspace under the house, solely because of how it is built, with wooden beams and piers made of stone, brick, or concrete.
Common Reasons for Pier and Beam Foundation Repair
Knowing what is causing it is critical before addressing your structural problems.
Many variables might damage your foundation. These include a lack of water mitigation, unfavorable soil conditions that cause heaving or settling, and subpar building methods.
If you perform proper seismic retrofitting in regions with frequent earthquakes, your structure’s stability may be protected. To further understand, let’s review a number of these elements again.
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Lack of Water Management and Reduction
Lack of water mitigation and control is one factor that might lead to damage to this sort of foundation. Water collecting beneath your house or causing the soil to expand may result in poor soil conditions.
When wet, expansive clay swells, and when dry, it shrinks. These forces might push around the foundation’s structure since they are stronger than you may realize.
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Prolonged Moisture
Increased dampness is another element that might harm pier and beam foundations. What can be the enemy even if the foundation type is right for coastal regions, which often flood?
Water can seep into the entire system, not just the beams. Eventually, everything will be affected, including the subfloor and the sill.
As the wood absorbs moisture, it can swell, eventually allowing mold to take control. It might start to decay or entirely dissolve if neglected. You’ll likely see the adverse effects of foundation loss if the timber that makes up your foundation is weakened.
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Older Construction Materials or Methods
Building practices have evolved dramatically in the last century.
The building rules were different then, and materials may age and degrade over time. However, structural elements will eventually fail and need to be replaced.
It’s possible that your older house needs to be seismically appropriately modified. If so, the roller coaster floors might seem bouncy, spongy, or wavy.
The existence of gaps between the floor joists could lead to these issues. The gap might need to offer more support to support the weight of your house.
How to Fix Your Pier and Beam Foundation
This foundation usually requires less money to fix than a traditional slab-on-grade.
This allows foundation repair specialists to identify and address issues quickly. This section will discuss several solutions for pier and beam foundation problems.
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Reshimming
Reshimming is a practical solution for pier and beam foundation problems.
The procedure is comparable to preventative maintenance for crawl space homes. It is only carried out if the house has been maintained in excellent condition or the proper paperwork is in place.
Reshimming is installing tiny wood wedges to fill gaps between the beams and piers.
It involves adjusting the snugness of every component of your pier and beam foundation on a tiny yet regular basis. Small pieces of wood called “shims” are hammered and jammed between the wooden sill beams and the piers.
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Pier stack additions or reconstruction
Your foundation’s interior piers may deteriorate or fall apart over time, requiring repair.
You can improve the integrity of your foundation by replacing or repairing any damaged ones. You can also add more piers to level out bowing floors and evenly support and distribute weight.
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Replace damaged wooden beams.
If the damage is caused by decayed wood, replacing your pier and beam foundation is preferable.
Floor joists and shaker sills may need to be replaced with new materials because they may rot, crack, warp, or wear out.
Eliminate portions of the damaged area; for example, the crawl space’s vicinity must be temporarily supported to prevent the house from collapsing.
Though it can be tricky, if you’re committed, you can complete it independently. However, it’s preferable to have professional help. Solving such a challenge is not only tricky but also capital-intensive.
Depending on an array of factors, thousands of dollars will be spent.
How to Extend the Lifespan of Pier and Beam Foundation
Everything, even your home’s foundation, has an expiration date.
Once the problems with your structure are resolved, there are a few things you can do to prolong its life. These primarily consist of routine upkeep, checks, and preventative measures.
Pier and beam foundation damage can be avoided mainly through routine maintenance and inspection. By catching a problem early on, you can fix it before it becomes worse.
During foundation and crawlspace checks, particularly after significant downpours, you should look for areas where water may be collecting.
Additionally, look for termites, fractures in the drywall on your walls and ceiling, and spaces between doors and frames. These can all easily jeopardize the foundation’s stability.
Make an expert contact right away if you observe any of these indicators.
Pier and beam foundations are not impervious to harm. The structure may become less coherent for several reasons.
If any of the above events has harmed your foundation, you can use these techniques to fix it. However, the work might be laborious and intricate, so employ experts to do it.