Pier and Beam Foundation Repair Solutions
Many things can cause a foundation system to fail, especially with the ever shrinking, swelling soils we have in the Houston area. The good news is that there are a number of steps that a homeowner can take to minimize these potential problems.
Being proactive is the most important step. It is very important to have a foundation expert from Vulcan Foundation Repair inspect your home every 5 years or so. We can identify potential problems early on, and make minor corrections, before major problems have time to develop.
Some of the problems could include plumbing or sewer leaks that are causing water to stand under the house, causing the Base Assemblies to tilt, or lean, or possibly even to fall over in the mud. Vulcan's Plumber can fix the leaks, and then our workers will fill in the low areas, before mosquitoes have time to breed. Mold, mildew, and bacteria issues can be identified and corrected before health problems develop in family members.
Cracked blocks can be replaced, shims re-set, and rotted wood treated before it needs total replacement. Often, by the simple step of adding a few more base assemblies, or a shaker beam here or there, the main load bearing beams can be reinforced, greatly extending foundation longevity.
Unlike concrete slab foundations, Pier and Beam foundations have wood floors, which are susceptible to sagging, bowing, and sometimes crowning. If foundation repairs are not made in a timely manner, the Houston humidity can have time to bow the wood permanently, and leveling of the structure may become much more difficult, and more costly.
Another potential problem for Pier and Beam and Block and Base structures occurs when the entire foundation system sinks into the ground, causing the crawl space area to diminish, sometimes to the point where tunnels are needed to access interior areas. In such cases, the structures need to be raised up, sometimes by adding two or three (8) inch blocks to each base assembly.
Even with their potential problems, Pier and Beam foundations do have certain advantages over slab foundations. For one thing, concrete slabs crack, and only in rare cases do grade beams in Pier and Beam foundations ever crack. Slab homes are usually much more expensive to repair, and are much more time consuming. Also, once a slab cracks, they are very difficult to repair, and can actually devalue the home by almost 50%.
Pier and Beam homes, if properly maintained, rarely need additional repairs, and when they do, it can be a very simple process. Also, if plumbing or sewer issues develop, repairs can be made without costly tunnels or breaking through the slab.
Vulcan Foundation Repair has over 30 years of dedicated and reliable service addressing these issues, and is the most trusted name in Pier and Beam Foundation Repair.
Please give us a call today for a free inspection, and let us tell you if any potential problems are lurking under there.
Family Owned and Operated Since 1978.
Call today for a free estimate by one of our Senior Inspectors.
Office: 713-729-1729
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Our Services
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Pier and Beam House Leveling
House Raising
Rotted Wood Replaced
Pier Stations Re-Built or Added
Termite Shields Installed
Steel Reinforced Pilings
Deep Drilled Bell Bottom Piers
Sewer Testing and Repair
Tunneling, Trenching
Leveling and Grading Soil
Under-House Debris Removal
Encapsulation Plus Moisture Control
French / Yard Drain Systems
Root Barriers
Tuck Pointing Mortar Cracks
Engineer Certifications
Amenities
Lifetime Transferable Warranty.
Full-Time Employees - NO SUBCONTRACTORS!
Texas Workman's Comp and Liability Insurance.
Registered Professional Engineer on Staff.
Completion Piling Depths at Refusal and Hydraulic Pressures Chart.
Master Plumber on Staff.
Digital Comp-U-Level Elevation Surveys.
Free Estimates for Homeowners.
Assistance with Insurance Claims.
Senior / Military / Police / Fire / Teacher Discounts
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