Signs of Foundation Failure in a Post and Pier Home
If you are noticing signs of foundation problems in your pier and beam home, you may be considering the option of adding shims to level your pier and beam home. As your local foundation repair experts, we want homeowners to be educated when it comes to the numerous solutions available to address your home’s foundation problems.
What is a Post and Pier Foundation?
Post and Pier foundations are a type of foundation that supports the weight of your home. This foundation type is made up of two distinct parts: the piers and beams. The piers are the vertical columns that are placed into the ground to support the weight of the home. They can be made from concrete or wood, depending on which you prefer to use in your home. The horizontal beams connect with these vertical supports to create a strong base for your home’s structure.
Signs of Foundation Failure in a Pier and Beam Home
Cracks in the walls
Gaps around doors and windows
Unlevel floors
Water seepage, or musty odors
What is Shimming?
Shimming is the process of adding a thin piece of material to make slight adjustments between home elements, including foundations. Shims are inserted between larger parts to fill gaps, level, and adjust while maximizing alignment and support. One thing to note: shims are not a permanent solution–you’ll need to go back every few years to add more materials until your house is level again. And even then, there could still be issues with shifting soil underneath the footings if there isn’t enough support in place for them (which would require further repairs).
The Problem with Shimming
Shimming is a temporary fix that can cause further damage to your foundation. It can also cause structural instability, and it’s a waste of money.
While shimming your pier and beam home may sound like the most affordable option, if you continue to use this temporary fix – it’ll end up costing you more money later on down the line than it would if you would have repaired it right, the first time!
Permanent Solutions for Pier and Beam Foundation Failure
The first step to pier and beam foundation repair is to determine what caused the problem in the first place. If you’re not sure, contact Structural Systems to help identify the issue and recommend solutions. When you contact Structural Systems to inspect your foundation, our system design specialists will crawl underneath your home to properly inspect the condition of your foundation.
