Bill C.
Home Owner
We had a minor problem they came ahead of time, finished very fast. They were very professional and friendly. The cost was excellent for the job they did. I would recommend them again to all people who need structural repair.
Pier and Beam Foundation Repair
Many homes built before 1960 are built on pier and beam foundations. You may also hear pier and beam foundations called block and base foundations, as well. However, they do possess a few minor differences. Both pier and beam, and block and base were preferred methods of construction before slab foundations eventually became popular.
Pier and beam foundations include a crawl space. A crawl space is essentially the space between the structure and the ground. Level Home Foundation Repair offers all foundation repair services whether you are preparing for future damage or even in the event of an emergency.
Pier and Beam Leveling Methods
A pier and beam foundation generally uses three major components to support the structure above it.
- First, we place concrete pads at ground level, from the foundation.
- Then, we place concrete blocks on top of the installed concrete pads.
- Last, we place the concrete foundation beams, which are then built around the perimeter of the house or commercial building.
For homes and structures that have heavier siding materials, such as brick and stone, concrete beams are extremely important. These structures have a greater load capacity to reinforce.
Block and Base vs Pier and Beam Foundations
Both foundations have more similarities than differences. However, block and base foundations don’t have the concrete beams surrounding the perimeter, like pier and beam foundations do. This makes the block and base method more suitable for homes or commercial property that are built using lighter siding materials, such as wood or aluminum.
Pier and Beam Advantages
You’ll typically see pier leveling in heavier flood areas. This type of foundation helps uplift the home. It also protects from floods, high tides, as well as moisture damage.
By leveraging the foundation’s crawl space, you give electricians, plumbers, etc. access to the pipes and wires, making for a much simpler (and usually cheaper) repair and installation.
Furthermore, finding, removing, and preventing termites is much easier with a pier and beam foundation. Assuming the wood is not in direct contact with the ground, termites must travel across the tunnel and along the piers to craw into the foundation space.
If you’re planning a home remodeling project, this foundation will make changes much easier, since you don’t have to “dig with it”.
Why Level My Structure’s Piers and Beams?
Eventually, the soil underneath a home or building settles. As it condenses down and begins to naturally shift and move, the foundation becomes unstable. This is true in Louisiana, Texas & Arkansas, as well as other surrounding areas. High humidity and other environmental factors are to blame for this, in these areas, specifically.
Level Home Foundation Repair specializes in this field. So, if you have any questions about your foundation, don’t hesitate to call!
How Do I Know If I Need to Level My Foundation?
Perhaps the most common sign of a problem comes in the form of warped flooring. Your floors may bow or sink in some areas, slant in one direction, or start to show gaps. However, you can’t limit the warning signs to the floor, specifically.
A few other signs that commonly alert the homeowner about a pier and beam foundation issue:
- Floors – bowing or sinking, sagging, flexing when weight is applied
- Floor Coverings – tiles that show cracks, wooden floors with gaps exposed, creaking sounds
- Interior Sheetrock Cracks – indicates movement in the home or commercial property Foundation
- Doors & Windows – they stick, or won’t open and close properly, indicating movement in the home or commercial property
How Much Does Pier and Beam Leveling Cost?
If your home rests on a pier and beam structure, typically the repair and leveling costs less, when compared to concrete slab foundations. Because these foundation types have easier access, homeowners can expect to pay less for whatever repairs may arise. Furthermore, the labor costs and equipment rental associated with these foundation types tends to run lower, as well.
As with anything else, some exceptions do exist. And, those usually include homes with narrow crawl spaces. Rest assured, Level Home Foundation Repair is prepared to handle any job, however challenging, to satisfy our customers.
Contact us today at 318-539-5554 for a free estimate on your home or business pier & beam leveling project.
