All foundation types experience damage over time. It’s best to address problems quickly and before they get worse, especially when it comes to pier and foundation repair beams. There are a few ways these foundations can be repaired to keep your home or building safe.
Expansive soils like Central Texas’ clay can cause settling in a pier and beam house, as they tend to contract when dry and expand when wet. These changes can cause a wide range of issues including spongy floors, uneven settlement, and tilting walls.
Cracks in the Foundation: A Comprehensive Guide to Repairing and Reinforcing Beams
Foundation repair contractors use a variety of techniques to fix these kinds of issues. The easiest and least expensive option is reshimming. This involves adding shims to the foundation to make it more snug and level. The next option is underpinning with either push or helical piers. These are shaped like screws and are driven into the ground until they reach load-bearing soil to lift the foundation.
A more extensive option is to rebuild a pier stack. This helps redistribute the weight of the structure and prevent bowing floors. It can also help if a pier has degraded and needs replacing or if the soil has changed and requires additional piers to be added.
If these options aren’t sufficient, the last option is to raise the entire foundation and re-settle it. During this process, tunnels are dug under the foundation. Then synchronized hydraulic jacks are placed under the foundation to lift it back to its original position. This will restore the structural integrity of your pier and beam foundation.