Pier and beam foundation for residential homes Fort Worth, TX is one of two types of foundation construction methods that provide stability and structure on which to build a home. The three most common foundation influences are moisture, heat, and time. These influences affect soil movement and shift foundations and are the main reasons for foundation repair work. In this page, we will discuss:

• the basic structure of the pier and beam foundation
• how it may be repaired and mitigated

Pier and beam foundation describes the foundation construction method. In pier and beam foundation, beams create the perimeter of the house as well as the spines of the house. Beams are rectangular cuts of wood with dimensions on average of nine inches by twelve inches in width and height that hold the wooden joists which make up the skeleton of the floor(see Figure 1).

The house dimensions will determine the length of the beams. Piers hold these beams up. Piers are concrete cylinders stacked on top of one another and pressed into the soil for stability. These concrete cylinders are usually six inches in diameter and twelve inches tall. After several of them are pressed into the ground, they will protrude, sometimes topped with a rectangular concrete slab for added support. These piers create a crawl space around eighteen inches in height under the house that’s great for venting and minimal flooding.

How do I know if I need to replace my beams?

When water or wear and tear compromises the integrity of beams, the beams need to be replaced. To do this, jacks and concrete piers will hold the house up while the beam is replaced.

How do I know my foundation needs repair?

The first step is to analyze where the shifts have occurred. To find the shifts, you will need an altimeter. An altimeter(shown right) is a tool that determines the height difference throughout the house.

For minimal foundation leveling, steel shims can be added onto piers in between the beams and pilings. Shims are tiny steel squares that add height to a piling for leveling a foundation(see Figure 1). Think of it like metal slices of cheese added to a burger. The more slices you add, the taller the burger gets.

Now, if the foundation has a large enough difference in altitude, concrete prisms can be added with shims. For anything more extensive, a foundation specialist can suggest piers to be added to the perimeter beams and spine beams of the house.

If you believe your house might need foundation repair work, call now or fill out our contact form to have an associate schedule a visit and provide a free estimate for your home.

Does your area flood often or have drainage issues?

Heavy or continuous rainfall, as well as humidity in the crawl space between the beams of your home and soil, can create a poor environment for your foundation. To prevent water from affecting your soil, we recommend Drainage systems. If you would like to know more about drainage systems, please check out our drainage system services page.

An easier method to reduce water damage to the pier and beam foundation is skirting. Skirting prevents water from entering the crawl space and affecting the soil underneath your house. Skirting is using a thin layer of material, usually plastic, vinyl, wood, or even concrete, to create a perimeter around the crawl space. This thin layer is inserted several feet into the ground and prevents water from seepage into the foundation soil.