Pier and Beam Foundation Repair
Foundation Stability: Lift, Strengthen, and Restore
2-YEAR WARRANTY
Contact Us
If you have any query about our service please contact with us
If you notice your floors starting to sink or feel unstable, it could be a sign of trouble brewing beneath your home’s surface. Many older homes rely on pier and beam foundations, which can develop unique challenges over time.
Before the era of modern concrete slab foundations, many homes built before 1960 relied on pier and beam (or block and base) foundations. These older foundation styles incorporate a crawl space, creating a gap between the structure and the ground.
Here at Pinnacle Foundation Repair, we’re experts in handling these exact types of foundation issues. Our team is dedicated to providing tailored solutions that restore stability to your home, ensuring peace of mind for you and your family.
What is a pier and beam foundation?
Pier and beam foundations lift the home above ground level using a system of piers and wooden beams. Unlike slab foundations, pier and beam structures create a crawl space underneath, making plumbing, electrical wiring, and HVAC systems a lot more accessible. This older foundation style also offers other benefits like improved ventilation, moisture control, and adaptability to uneven terrain.
Typically, a pier and beam foundation includes three main parts: concrete spread footings at ground level, concrete piers stacked on them (which support the wooden floor joists and subflooring above), and a concrete foundation beam around the home’s perimeter.
While some of these terms might seem unfamiliar at first, they’re actually the building blocks of your home’s foundation if it’s built on a pier and beam foundation. Here’s a quick guide to help you understand what each part does and why it’s important:
- Floor covering: The material used to cover the floor surface, such as wood, tile, or carpet.
- Subflooring: A layer of plywood or other material installed directly over the floor joists, providing a base for the finished floor covering.
- Floor Joist: Horizontal wooden framing that supports the subflooring and distributes the weight of the structure.
- Beam: Horizontal structural beams (usually wooden, but in some cases these can be metal I-beams) that support the weight of the structure and joists above and transfer it to the foundation.
- Steel Shim: A thin piece of steel used to adjust the level or alignment of a structural component, such as a beam or column.
- Sonotube: A cylindrical form made of cardboard or other material used to create a concrete pier or column.
- Concrete Spread Footing: A wide, shallow concrete footing that distributes the weight of the structure over a larger area of soil, providing stability and preventing settling.
- Base Support: A concrete support that is 16 inches by 16 inches in size and 4 inches thick, used to provide additional stability for beams or columns.
- Sill Plate: A horizontal framing member attached to the top of a foundation wall, providing a base for the floor joists.
- Sole Plate: A vertical framing member attached to the side of a wall, providing a base for the wall studs and transferring the weight of the wall to the foundation.
Comprehensive Repair Solutions
Our expertise extends beyond simple repairs to include a variety of foundation-related services. From wood replacement to pad and block systems, poured-in-place piers, and shimming existing piers, we provide comprehensive solutions to restore stability to your home’s foundation.
Our radically reliable and precise approach ensures that every aspect of your foundation receives the attention it deserves, using high-quality materials and techniques for lasting results.
Wood Replacement and Pad Systems
Lumber replacement is a critical aspect of pier and beam foundation repair, and we are experienced in replacing floor joists, beams, sill plates, soleplates, and subflooring. Our promise to you – we ONLY use high-quality pressure- treated materials for these repairs, and our subflooring comprises of premium plywood to ensure durability and longevity.
Our pad and block support systems are ideal for lightweight pier and beam homes, providing sturdy reinforcement and positive drainage to prevent future issues. This system consists of 16 by 16 inch concrete pads secured to the ground with concrete blocks stacked on top to support the beams above.
Poured-in-Place Piers and Shimming
For heavier pier and beam homes or those with negative drainage, we recommend poured-in-place piers. These durable 12 inch thick structures are dug below grade (ground level) and reinforced with steel to provide robust support for your foundation.
Additionally, shimming existing piers is often a straightforward solution to address minor settlement issues. When this is the only problem we identify during our initial inspection, it’s easy (and affordable) to shim off the existing piers. Since wooden shims and blocks can compress over time, we only use steel shims and concrete blocks for lasting stability.
Addressing Pier and Beam Challenges
While pier and beam foundations do offer several advantages, they are susceptible to issues such as rotting cedar piers and poor drainage. Our team employs innovative techniques to address these challenges, including setting up new drainage solutions and replacing rotting wooden piers with significantly stronger concrete piers for long-term stability.
Fixing Drainage Issues: We assess and repair drainage issues that can lead to excess moisture in the crawl space, which can cause rot and mold. Our solutions include installing French drains, improving grading, or adding surface drains to redirect water away from the foundation.
Replacing Piers: To reinforce the foundation, we can install new piers strategically placed for better load distribution and support to replace any existing rotting wooden piers. Piers are vertical concrete supports that bear the weight of the structure above and transfer it to the soil below.
Radically Honest and Transparent
Around here, we’re always on the level. We take the time to explain problems and possible solutions in plain language, walk you through the process, and answer all your questions before, during and after the project. To make communication even easier, your home evaluator is also your main point of contact throughout. Radically simple? You bet.
Your home’s foundation is its backbone, and ensuring its stability is essential for your safety and peace of mind. With Pinnacle Foundation Repair, you can trust that your home is in capable hands – whether you’re dealing with sinking floors or rotting beams, our team is here to provide quality repair solutions for you. We also stand by our work with a radical commitment: A 2-year warranty on our pier and beam and block and base repairs.
Contact us today for a FREE consultation and discover why our repair techniques stand as a testament to our radical reliability and dependability in foundation repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pier and beam foundation?
A pier and beam foundation lifts the home above ground level using a system of concrete piers and wooden beams, creating a crawl space underneath.
What are common issues with pier and beam foundations?
Common issues include rotting wooden piers, sinking floors, poor drainage, and settlement problems caused by soil movement or moisture.
How does Pinnacle repair pier and beam foundations?
Pinnacle repairs include wood replacement, pad and block systems, poured-in-place piers, shimming existing piers, and addressing drainage issues.
What materials does Pinnacle use for repairs?
Pinnacle uses high-quality pressure-treated lumber, premium plywood for subflooring, steel shims, concrete blocks, and reinforced concrete piers.
How does the repair process work for rotting piers?
We replace rotting wooden piers with stronger concrete piers to ensure long-term stability and prevent future issues.
What is shimming, and when is it used?
Shimming involves adding steel shims to existing piers to fix minor settlement issues. It’s a quick and affordable solution.
How does Pinnacle address drainage issues in pier and beam foundations?
We install French drains, improve grading, or add surface drains to redirect water away from the foundation, preventing moisture-related problems.
Is pier and beam repair a long-term solution?
Yes, when done correctly, pier and beam repair can provide long-term stability, especially with proper drainage and material selection.
What is the warranty on pier and beam repairs?
Pinnacle Foundation Repair offers a 2-year warranty on pier and beam and block and base repairs.
What are the signs that my pier and beam foundation needs repair?
Look for sinking floors, wall cracks, and doors or windows that stick. These are common signs of foundation issues.
How can I get a quote or more details about repairing my pier and beam foundation?
Contact us today for a free foundation inspection! Our team will assess your home’s needs and provide a detailed quote. Call us at 972-251-0018 or fill out our online form to schedule your free inspection.
Schedule a FREE foundation inspection
Don t wait till the cracks in the walls or the sticking doors become worse. Let us inspect your foundation free of charge, determine the cause of your problems and, if you have a foundation issue, give you a fair estimate. 1 out of 3 inspections we conduct reveal no foundation issues
or call this number