Many older home builders will tell you that the pier and beam foundation can stand up to more movement than the slab foundation. In addition, the pier and beam foundation is easier to repair and more solid condition it died back to 1910 are still being repaired and renovated to like new condition.
Signs Of Need For Pier And Beam Problems:
· Interior or exterior wall cracks
· Uneven or sagging floors
· Cracks in ceiling
· Sticky doors and windows
The Causes Of Pier And Beam Problems Can Be Broken Down Into Three Areas
This can include improper drainage under the house, improper ventilation. You can also discover this wine is wood such as; broken, cracked or warped floor joists or beams, wood rot or insect damage and rotten sill plates. Finally, builder or homeowner miscalculation also happens causing insufficient number of piers, shallow piers, defective shimming, and addition of story with no additional pier supports.
Pier And Beam Support Functions
Pier and beam houses are houses that all floor and the ground. All foundations can have problems in clay soil. Some people feel that that treatment is worse and hard to ever. The footing for the pier is best in well-drained or even moist soil with a well-ventilated crawl-space. The number of piers is calculated to best bear the weight of the house. There are some pier and beam structures that also involve a concrete perimeter grade beam.
Problems with Pier And Beam Structures
There are those who criticize the pier and beam structure, and these are their to objections. S cleanliness, wood is susceptible to rot and insect damage, therefore, it is imperative to prevent ground to wood contact , wherever possible. Another reason is pier and beam structure may be poorly spaced and the lumber, due to its nature, may be poorly shaped and spaced, for for dipping or bowing of floors. Concrete and steel are more uniform.
Typical Repairs You & # 39; ll See To Foundations
Concrete Perimeter Beam: If the home involves a concrete perimeter beam, some easy repairs can be made by lifting the home and using pressed piling for leveling.
Wild Replacement: As indicated earlier, often wood in the crawl space rots due to moisture and must be replaced. At times whole beams need replacement.
It is times shifting is major shifts. This is especially true if I have made the number of piers needed for the house or addition supports.
Ventilation improvement: If rotting or other moisture damage is observed, ventilation should be improved in the crawl space. The same is true if mold or fungus growth is observed.
All work performed should be warrantied for at least a year after work is done.
