Pier and Beam Repair in Big Spring
In the early 1960s, most of the homes built were pier and beam, which provided crawlspaces under the structure. The foundation repair for your home can be performed easier with this access. It is crucial to bring concerns to a Big Spring pier and beam foundation professional once you notice cracks in your pier and beam foundation since it is more complicated than a solid slab. Big Spring Foundation Repair specializes in pier and beam foundation repair and serves the Big Spring area residents.
Process of Foundation Repair
Prepare Site–The foundation repair process for Big Spring happens in several phases. All shrubs and plants are cleared from the area. The lawn is then protected by tarps. Regardless of whether the floors are rotten or broken, the crew is able to access the crawl space to replace any rotten wood or broken beams, and install piers as necessary.
Stabilizing–The interior floor levels are raised to their natural position using hydraulic jacks. To ensure a gentle and uniform lift, the team moves slowly and systematically. Field Superintendents monitor lifts to ensure that the structure reacts correctly and does not cause unnecessary strain on the structure.
Shimming Process–It is then removed any shimming previously installed and replaced with metal and permanent fillers once the structure is in its natural position. The floor is then reinforced by adding beams where necessary. The interior structure and floor system are stabilized by adding pads and blocks of interior material or steel piers if there is an insufficient amount of interior support.
Pier Completion–Using concrete cylinders or steel piers to provide permanent support for the structure once it has been lifted to its natural position is an alternative to using hydraulic jacks. After removing all debris from the excavation, the area will be filled in. We repaired the Big Spring pier and beam foundation and installed our Reshimming System, which ensures the foundation is now incredibly secure. The installation is backed by a lifetime warranty!
3 Main Causes Of Damage To Pier And Beam Foundations
In our area, crawl space foundations are most affected by settlement, moisture problems, and defects in the original construction. To understand how pier and beam foundations are affected by each of these, let’s review them individually.
- Foundation Settlement due to Expansive Clay Soils–Our expansive clay soils cause foundation problems in addition to other factors. Wet clay expands and dries clay contracts. With each season and each year, these forces are more powerful than you think, and they can shake up your foundation. Pier and beam foundations are susceptible to any uplift from the ground or shrinking and sinking of the soil. As a result of this constant movement, your home can begin to show signs of foundation settlement with cracks in your walls, misaligned doors, and other signs.
- Moisture Under the Home–Poor drainage and inadequate ventilation can cause moisture under the home. From the sill all the way up to the subfloor, excessive moisture under the home will damage all the wood. A foundation made of wood piers and beams may rot, mold, or even disintegrate due to excessive moisture exposure. Compromises in the wood beneath your home could cause you foundation problems. The pier and beam construction has an interconnected nature, so poor quality wood can cause compounded problems to the remainder of the structure. You will also face drainage challenges if you have an open crawl space under your home. Despite the ventilation holes in the crawl space of pier and beam homes, they cannot remove standing water due to poor drainage. Drainage can become inefficient over time, resulting in prolonged periods of moisture under your home that will cause the crawl space to deteriorate.
- Original Construction Methods or Materials–As many pier and beam homes were built before the 190s, the building codes were different as well as the materials used had begun to deteriorate. Roller coaster floors are one of a few unique problems that can occur with piers and beams. It is not uncommon for houses built with pier and beam to be built with floor joists too far apart to support the weight. We have broken and worn out floor joists and shaker sills that have been there for quite some time. Piers may also be worn out or broken and must be replaced. The piers’ rotations and settlements differ from those of their neighbors or they crack or break. There are times when the array of piers is insufficient and more need to be added at closer intervals to support the weight of the home.
For more information on our pier and beam repair services, as well as our basement waterproofing services, call us today at 432-389-2603.