Pier and Beam Foundation Repairs

Pier and beam foundation homes are susceptible to a variety of issues. If the piers aren’t repaired, they will eventually lose their ability to support the house and this causes the house to shift and settle. This shifting and settling causes internal damage to the home which is very costly. The sooner a problem is noticed the less expensive the repair will be.

It is important to have a free assessment done by a professional foundation expert if you suspect you have a pier and beam foundation problem. There are a few telltale signs that you should look for to determine if your pier and beam foundation needs repairs or replacements. If your windows and doors no longer open and close easily, if your floors feel spongy when you walk on them, or if furniture shakes when you walk by, these are all indications of a serious issue with your pier repairs.

Often, these problems are caused by a combination of factors that include soil changes, a poorly designed or constructed house, and degraded or displaced piers. If you are experiencing these symptoms it is important to contact a foundation repair specialist right away so they can inspect your home and determine what repairs need to be made.

There are many different methods for repairing a pier and beam foundation. A common method is reshimming which involves making small adjustments to specific areas of your foundation in order to stabilize and raise it. This method is typically very effective and will restore your pier and beam foundation back to its original state.

Another way to repair a pier and beam foundation is by replacing some or all of the wood beams. This is a very extensive and expensive method of repairing a pier and beam foundation, but it can be necessary if the piers are too far apart or if they have degraded or shifted over time.

If your pier and beam foundation has settled so much that the floor of your home is no longer level with the rest of the building, you may need to install one or more concrete piers. This is a very labor intensive process that requires digging and drilling holes in the foundation, placing the pier, then pouring concrete. Once the concrete has cured, hydraulic jacks will lift your home back to its original position.

For lighter structures that need a stronger but less expensive solution, helical piers are an excellent choice. These piers are shaped like corkscrews and are driven into the ground to the proper depth and torque by a geotechnical engineer. Once they are in place, synchronized hydraulic jacks will raise the structure.

Many homeowners believe they can level their own pier and beam foundation, but this is a dangerous and inefficient job for the average homeowner. It is recommended to hire a certified foundation repair contractor to inspect your foundation and assess whether reshimming or replacing the wooden beams is the best option for your foundation repair.

Precise Restumping & Underpinning successfully maintains a reputation for delivering quality, reliable and sound services to clients all over New South Wales, with a licensed builder that personally oversee all work.