Pier and Beam Block and Base Repair

We are specialized in pier and beam foundation repair and all of the various services that go with it. We are also experienced with historic post and beam foundations, block and base foundations, and modern pier and beam foundations. Our foundation repair services include a wood replacement, pad and block systems, poured in place piers, and shimming existing piers.

Our lumber replacement includes floor joist, doubled to quadrupled beams, sill plate, soleplate, and subflooring. We only use high-quality pressure treated materials, and the subfloor material comprises high-quality plywood. Pad and block supports are recommended for foundation repair on lightweight pier and beam homes that have positive drainage. This consists of sixteen by sixteen-inch concrete pads, and concrete blocks are stacked up to support the beams. Poured in place piers are recommended for foundation repair on heavier pier and beam homes, and homes with negative drainage. These are dug below grade and at are least twelve inches thick, and steel reinforced.

Often, the only foundation repair necessary on a pier and beam home is to shim off the existing piers which are often shallow and can settle over time. When this is the only problem we identify during our initial inspection, it is easy to shim off the existing piers. Wood shims and wood blocks can also compress over time, so it is important to use steel shims and concrete blocks.

Pier and Beam

Pier and beam foundations are something that has been used in homes for decades and can still be as durable and efficient as with many more modern concrete slab-based foundations. A pier and beam foundation means that you can have a larger crawl space in your foundation, so getting under your home for plumbing and electrical work is much easier. It can even mean that your central heating can be installed as a pier and beam foundation keeps your home off the ground, which can also be useful in keeping your floors away from water.

There are many things that can cause problems to your pier and beam foundations, some of which are easily preventable. Still, others can simply happen over time, such as underlying soil, inappropriate construction, or improper drainage.

Many homes were built with cedar piers, and while this makes a lot of sense as cedar is rot resistant, it also has a lower surface area for the foot compared to concrete footings. The other issue is that while cedar is rot resistant, it is only resistant, and rotting at the soil underneath will eventually occur.

When water is not being adequately drained, then it could cause several issues as water can prevent proper ventilation of the basement or crawl space foundation, which will hinder the drying of your under space.

There are several ways to approach this, one being the adding of new piers under the foundational beams. This will reduce the stress of the pre-existing piers spreading it into more areas. When there is less load on each pier, they can withstand the pressures for more extended periods.

Another more permanent solution is to use sonotubes or concrete columns. Sonotubes are concrete forms that are inserted in the sloping or cracking foundation to shore it up. When the concrete is added and cured, it creates a more permanent fix to your foundation problems. This is often recommended when severe damage has occurred to your pier and beam foundation. No matter what issues you have with your pier and beam foundations, some solutions can make sure that your foundation is solid as ever and can make sure that your foundations are always safe for your daily use.

Block and Base

Similar to a pier and beam foundation, block and base work is done to the same effect, but it requires different means of repair.

A pier and beam foundation may be the best option for you over a slab foundation. There are many benefits to a pier and beam foundation, including the crawl space, which allows for easy access to your plumbing and heating system. With a slab foundation, the plumbing pipes are often under the slab, which increases the risk of cracks forming from standing water. Pier and beam foundations are topped with wood platforms, which have more give than a concrete slab foundation.

If you have an issue that requires pier and beam repair, then the chances are, you will know about it. Your floors will likely begin to feel like they are sinking, and a pier and beam issue could be very dangerous to your home’s wellbeing. Piers and beams are the pillars of your home that hold it upright.

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