Pier and Beam Foundation Repair San Antonio

Pier and Beam foundations are great for small to medium sized homes. Essentially, the foundation sits on piers elevated between 1-2 feet above the ground, creating a crawl space. One obvious benefit of a pier and beam foundation is protection against flooding since it is elevated above ground. Another, is that the crawl space allows easy access to utilities such as plumbing much easier; this is a clear advantage over slab foundations, which may require drilling through the foundation for repairs. Although these are clear advantages, failure to address foundation issues can lead to more expensive and inconvenient problems down the road. Make sure the foundation repair company is reputable and honest, like Total Foundation Repair San Antonio.

Disadvantages: Although crawl spaces provide flood protection and easy access to utilities, there are definite downsizes to pier and beam foundations. Since the area under the foundation is shaded all day, moisture can build up and cause the wooden girders that support the structure to rot if the area is poorly ventilated. Flooding and plumbing leaks also cause an increase in damaging moisture under the foundation. Additionally, the space creates a perfect space for bugs and other pests, including termites, which can have an extremely detrimental impact on your home. Rodents who call your crawl space home, have a tendency to breed and eat through electrical wire or pipes. You can often keep rodents out by installing lattice across a pier and beam foundation.

San Antonio pier and beam foundations show the following three key warning signs that indicate repair might be necessary. 1) Cracks appearing on walls, ceilings or floors indicate an increased amount of pressure, likely caused by an uneven foundation. Foundation piers or brick siding may also crack and show signs of instability. 2) Loose floorboards that creak are common when built on a pier and beam foundation, but might also be a sign of a foundation problem. Places where floors are sagging indicate areas where pier and beam foundation repair are necessary. 3) Crawl Spaces that have excess moisture lead to mildew and mold build up on wooden beams; this can often cause a decaying smell noticeable in the house. If this occurs, there is a possibility that girder beams will need to be replaced and you will need a pier and beam foundation repair. If these or other signs are present in your home or business with a pier and beam foundation, it is important to have a professional assess the damage.

Found out that you have a foundation issue? Don’t let that scare you into non-action. It is far worse to put off a pier and beam foundation repair and leave issues unaddressed than to consider fixing the problem outright. We offer warrantied services with financing options, and customer satisfaction is our highest priority. Although a pier and beam foundation repair cost is between $1,000- $3000 on average, they can run upwards of $10,000 plus depending on the condition of the foundation. It is unlikely any foundation repair company can provide an estimate can provide an estimate without first evaluating the structure. 

The nature of the repair might involve simply adding some shims to level the structure, or it might involve replacing all piers along the perimeter. In addition to the costs associated with replacing or adding piers and shims, the overall condition of the foundation’s wooden elements (i.e if they are rotted out or not), play a huge impact on repair rates. If foundation beams and girders are rotted, we would recommend replacing those elements, adding additional supports, and/or house leveling. If you are considering pier and beam foundation repair in San Antonio, contact us!