What exactly is a pier foundation?

A pier foundation lifts a building 18-36 inches from the ground unless it is in a seaside community. (Structures in coastal communities are frequently elevated above the ground by more than 36 inches.) This creates a crawl space beneath the structure that allows simple access to plumbing and electrical wiring. Crawl spaces that have been waterproofed and enclosed are also excellent for storage.

Pier foundations were quite prevalent prior to the 1960s. While pier foundations are still very widespread today, slab foundations have surpassed them in popularity due to their ease of construction and lower cost.

If you own an older home with a pier foundation, the piers are most likely made of wood. However, most pier foundations today are built using concrete foundation piers. (Wood and brick are also utilized.) The piers are available in a variety of designs and sizes ranging from 6 to 16 inches in diameter. They are placed to a depth of roughly 5-6 feet below the frost line.

Pier foundations are popular among homeowners because they provide simple access to plumbing and wiring repairs. They are, however, probably not the greatest solution for a large property or a residence in an earthquake-prone area.

Advantages of a Pier Foundation
The following are some of the benefits of a pier foundation:

-They are simple and economical to build since they do not require significant excavation or a large amount of concrete. -Compare this to poured concrete slab foundations, which involve the expense of shipping wet concrete to the building site.
-They provide simple access to the plumbing and wiring of the home – With a slab foundation, it may be required to break up the slab to reach the piping or wiring.
-The floor is easy to walk on since a pier foundation has some give to it, making it more pleasant than a slab foundation.
-Because they are 1 1/2 to 3 feet above the earth, they are less likely to be destroyed by flooding water. This is also why pier foundations are utilized for the seaside property.

Problems specific to pier foundations
Pier foundations have been used for decades, however they are not without drawbacks:

-They can droop and become unlevel for a variety of causes, including rotten piers, piers located too closely together, and piers that have settled into poor soil.
-Wood piers, beams, and joists can rot – Moisture condensation in a crawl space can swiftly lead to wood rot, which can eventually lead to a sagging, unlevel floor.
-Inadequate piers – Sometimes a pier foundation just does not have enough piers to effectively support the home. More piers are usually preferable.
-The piers are too tiny – There may be a sufficient number of piers, but they are too small. This can also have an impact on the foundation’s capacity to sustain the structure.
-Bad air – A dark, wet crawl area is a breeding ground for mold and other allergies. Given that some of the air from your crawl space makes its way up into your living area, keeping your crawl space clean and dry is critical.
-Termites and rats prefer dark, chilly environments. -Wood-gnawing insects can destroy wood piers, beams, and joists, and rodent droppings can contribute to bad air.

Although pier foundations aren’t as popular as they once were, they’re still a good choice for a foundation since they’re cheap to build, durable for years, and provide simple access to the home’s plumbing and electrical. However, they, like everything else, are not without flaws. If you have pier foundation repair or in need of Foundation Inspection Malibu , contact RLM Retrofit Foundation now for an estimate.

Pier and beam foundations are repaired in a variety of ways Malibu
Why Would a Professional Recommend Helical Piers Over Another Repair Option Malibu