While there are many advantages of using pier and beam foundations for building your home, there are also some disadvantages. It is essential to know about the pros and cons in order to make an informed decision.
Sagging Floors
When the foundation starts to sink or settle, there is a chance of sagging floors. This is due to the disturbance in the wooden platform beneath the flooring. The floor can also creak and move when the piers and beams deteriorate in strength.
Shifting Beams
The movement of soil and the weakening of the piers can cause the beams to shift, which in turn leads to many problems, such as sagging floors and cracking door frames.
Molds and Mildew
Due to rain accumulation and moisture in the crawl space, there are chances of mold and mildew developing in the wooden beams and damaging them. You’ll have to consult foundation repair experts to inspect the damage and restore the wooden beams.
Cracks
Cracks can appear on the walls, floor and door frames as the piers weaken over time, causing the beams to move.
Dampness in Crawl Space
Moisture accumulation in the crawl space can cause dampness and other problems. It also leads to unpleasant odors and mold growth.
Tiltins
Since a house built on pier and beam foundation is elevated off the ground, there is always a risk of tilting if the piers weaken or the beams get damaged due to moisture and termites.
Damaged Pipes
If the crawl space is not properly insulated, the plumbing and heating pipes are more susceptible to freezing.
Rodents and Other Pests In the Crawl Space
One of the main disadvantages of having pier and beam foundation is easy access to rodents and pests. The crawl space provides a safe hiding place for the rodents, which then enter your house and spread infections. Moreover, they can also damage the plumbing, heating and electrical lines.
Increased Insulation Expenses
If proper care is not taken to insulate the crawl space, the circulation of air can cause an increase in energy expenses.
However, the problems of having pier and beam foundation can be easily identified and repaired if they are diagnosed in time. Though the initial costs of constructing this type of foundation are high due to the expertise and material required, the long term durability and advantages offered by it outweigh the disadvantages and costs.
No matter the type of foundation, many aspects can damage the foundation of a house, such as moisture in the soil, extending tree roots, the soil shifting, and leaking pipes. It is essential to keep an eye on the health of the foundation to increase its lifespan and ensure that your house is on a strong footing.
If your house is built on a pier and beam foundation, consult with Continental Foundation Restoration for maintenance and repair. We are a family-owned business with more than 45 years of experience in handling foundation repairs and replacements of homes in Houston and surrounding areas.
We are popular in the area for our reliable services, professional attitude, and competitive pricing.
Our qualified and trained professionals will inspect the foundation to identify any potential risks and give you cost-effective and durable solutions to repair the foundation. If your home is old and the foundation is deteriorating, we also provide foundation restoration services to replace the foundation with a new one completely. We use the latest equipment to repair and restore your foundation.
We are so confident in our artistry that we provide lifetime warranties for all the foundation installation, repair and replacement jobs.
Apart from foundation repair and replacement, we also provide mud jacking solutions, interlocking piles, pre-buy inspections, under slab plumbing installation and repair, wood structure repair and elevation survey.