How to Repair a Pier and Beam Foundation
A pier and beam foundation has more wood components to deal with than a slab foundation. They are also susceptible to prolonged moisture, which can cause mold and rot.
Tilting piers, shifting soil and unevenly distributed weight can all be very costly problems. However, there are a few ways that a professional can fix these issues.
Repairing Damaged Piers
Pier and beam foundations can suffer from a variety of problems. Many of these stem from moisture, whether due to poor drainage or rotted wood. A high-quality ventilation system designed specifically for crawlspaces is one way to encourage airflow that keeps humidity low, preventing wood root and mold growth.
Depending on the extent of damage, your foundation repair contractor will advise you on different repair methods. These methods may include site shoring, which involves the addition of new piers under your home to help stabilize it and improve its load-bearing capacity. These new piers are often made of concrete, but steel pilings can also be used to add strength to the foundation. Reshimming is a less invasive repair method that involves making small adjustments to joists and beams with wood strips called shims. This can help level your foundation, addressing issues such as sagging floors and buckling walls. This type of repair can help reduce the need for costly structural repairs in the future.
Repairing Damaged Floor Joists
If shaker sills or floor joists rot, warp or break, foundation repair contractors can replace them through a process called reshimming. This involves jacking up the floor frame from below and placing a temporary beam across the damaged joist and two or more neighboring joists to raise them. This is a good option for repairing sagging floors in a pier and beam home, but it should only be performed after the pier stacks have been repaired.
If the joists aren't big enough or numerous enough to support the weight of the house, it can lead to structural problems that appear as interior cracks along walls and ceilings. Moisture also causes wood to rot, which can weaken the overall structure of a pier and beam home. Inspect crawl spaces regularly and schedule a professional inspection to identify early signs of deterioration. Correcting these issues can avoid costly repairs down the road. Preventive tactics, such as exceptional drainage systems, can also help keep a pier and beam home in tip-top shape.
Repairing Damaged Shaker Sills
Since pier and beam foundations often have shaker sills and floor joists made out of wood construction, these materials can sometimes deteriorate. This is a problem that typically results from unbalanced weight distribution, which can put excessive pressure on parts of a home's foundation. It can also occur if the original house was not properly designed or constructed.
If the joists and sills become rotten or damaged, the entire foundation can weaken. This is especially likely if the piers do not contact stable soil or if they shift out of alignment. It's also a common result of water damage, which can affect the structural parts of a pier and beam foundation.
In these situations, the best option is to replace the rotten or damaged wood. A repair contractor can do this by using a technique called reshimming. This involves adding shims between the piers and joists to mend them. It's a relatively inexpensive method of fixing a pier and beam foundation.
Repairing Damaged Vent Screens
Pier and beam foundations provide a crawl space that is often used for plumbing and electrical work. This is an advantage over slab foundations that require breaking through concrete to access plumbing pipes and electrical wiring.
This type of foundation also elevates homes which can protect from flooding and Moisture. However, this can also lead to dampness problems if the crawl space isn’t adequately ventilated.
To prevent a pier and beam home from becoming damp, proper ventilation is necessary. In addition, a professional should inspect the crawl space regularly and perform regular maintenance to keep moisture from accumulating.
Some signs of moisture include the smell of mold or a musty odor. If you notice these symptoms, it’s important to contact a foundation repair expert for a free estimate and consultation. A trusted repair company will be able to recommend the best solution, including full crawl space encapsulation. Sugar Land Foundation Repair Solutions can offer a variety of solutions that are tailored to the size and age of your home’s crawl space.
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A pier and beam foundation has more wood components to deal with than a slab foundation. They are also susceptible to prolonged moisture, which can cause mold and rot. Tilting piers, shifting soil and unevenly distributed weight can all be very costly problems. However, there are a few ways that a professional can fix these…