Repair Foundation Contracting and Consultin

It's all about checks and balances.Use proper due diligence and contact a consultant.

For most purposes " pier and beam" describes a structure built above the ground, with a space between the floor and ground. This is called a crawl space due to it limited height. Many pier and beam homes have, or at least were built with, hardwood floors. Also most pier and beam
homes are identifiable by vents placed in the foundation. These vents allow air to circulate between the floor and ground. This should prevent mold and dampness from forming.

Pier and beam construction in a specialty in and of it's self. Many contractors are either unable or unwilling to do repairs on pier and beam. I can help.

Older pier and beam homes, usually built prior to the WW II, were often constructed without concrete foundations. In place of the concrete foundation the homes were built using posts placed in the ground, made of a very hard wood. these post are around the perimeter as well as under the floor. Often these homes have survived quite well with minor deterioration. When failure does occur, concrete piers may be placed at points around the perimeter and under the floors of the structure. When this is done, care must be taken to replace rotten wood that is used to support the walls and floors. More recent pier and beam structures were constructed with a concrete foundation and concrete piers supporting a wood floor.

Either type of pier and beam structure can fail, just as slab foundations may fail, due to soil conditions. Both may be returned to satisfactory structural condition.

Problems with pier and beam homes are similar to slabs in that soil causes failure. However additional problems my surface when water has accumulated in the crawl space. This water, either from bad drainage, or service water or sewer leaks, often is the basis for structural movement in pier and beam construction.