If you’re reading this, you’re probably curious about how to fix a pier and beam foundation.
The good news is that you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to tell you everything you need to know about pier and beam foundation repair in Baton Rouge, LA—and we’ll do it in a way that’s easy to understand!
The first thing you should know is that there are two main types of foundations: “pier and beam” and “slab.” If your house has a slab foundation, your problems are likely going to be less complicated than those with a pier and beam foundation. That’s because slabs are made up of solid blocks of concrete (usually rectangular), which means they have less flexibility than other types of foundations.
Pier and beam foundations are less common than slab foundations, but they can still be found across the country. Typically, these foundations consist of wooden beams that support brick piers (or columns). These wooden beams are covered by dirt or stone, which helps hold them together. The problem with this type of foundation is its lack of strength compared with slabs: It’s much easier for water damage or termite damage to occur here than in other structures. Learn more here: betterfoundationrepairbatonrouge.com.
Main Causes Of Damage To Pier and Beam Foundation In Baton Rouge
There are several causes of damage to pier and beam foundations that make repairs necessary.
The most common cause of damage is a settlement, which is the settling of the soil due to changes in temperature, moisture content, or loading. This can occur over time or suddenly in an earthquake.
Poor drainage: If you’re building in a low-lying area with poor drainage, this can cause problems for your foundation. Waterlogged soil can lead to structural issues that are difficult to remedy.
Improperly installed footings: If your foundation is sinking in one area but not another, it could be because the footings have been installed incorrectly or unevenly. This will cause uneven settlement of your structure and may lead to cracks in the wall or floor of your home.
Ground shifting: This can happen if there’s an earthquake or other seismic activity nearby, causing the ground beneath your foundation to shift slightly as well as affect its stability.
How To Fix Your Pier And Beam Foundation
Pier and beam foundation repairs are less expensive than conventional slab-on-grade foundations. This is because it’s easier for foundation repair contractors to access the parts of the structure that are failing and fix them with less expense than with a slab-on-grade foundation problem. If the problem areas are difficult to access, however, fixing problems with pier and beam foundations can come with increased difficulty and complexity.
- Reshimming – Reshimming a pier and beam foundation is the process of removing the old concrete and replacing it with new concrete. It’s often necessary to reshim a foundation when the original concrete has cracked or shrunk, which can cause the building to tilt.
- Rebuilding or Adding Pier Stacks – Pier stacks are typically constructed by adding more piers to the foundation of a house. The construction process can be done in one of two ways. Either the existing pier foundation is demolished and rebuilt, or new piers are added to the existing pier foundation.
- Replacing Wood – This is simply when you replace the wood that is damaged by removing it. Any wood under the home that needs replacing can be a bit tricky. For extensive wood replacement jobs, it can take up to a week and cost $10,000 to $20,000 or more.