Pier and Beam Repair
Whenever the words pier or beam are mentioned about a home’s foundation, homeowners or real estate investors make sure to stay away from these types of properties. Because dealing with a pier and beam foundation means several maintenance services every decade and if the soil is not stable you might want an expert to constantly check the foundation every year to make sure that everything is holding on strong. There are several types of pier and beam repair and here I am going to mention four basic ones that I think you should know. These are also the basic methods that our company uses to repair certain types of foundations.
Steel Pressed Pilings
When this method of repairing a foundation was invented it revolutionized the business. So far people have only been using concrete pressed piling but steel pressed piling is much more effective and it is done in less time than the usual. It might take one or two days to get the job done. The steel piles are pressed into the soil one on top of the other to sustain the foundation. It is an effective way and the foundation might hold on strong after the repair is done but however the steel alone can prove to bend over time.
Pressed Concrete Pilings
Similar to the steel pilings, pressed concrete pilings are chunks of concrete that are poured underneath the ground where the house foundation stands. They help to support the house foundation and are usually placed 12 feet deep into the ground. The problem with the concrete pilings, however, is that they dry concrete piles one on top of the other. During the winter, moisture from the ground can enter the spaces between the concrete and once it freezes it can tear it apart.
Poured Concrete Piers
Poured concrete piers are another form of supporting and fixing the foundation. Usually, during residential repairs, the concrete piers are put 10 feet deep into the ground. The whole process takes longer than the pressed concrete pilings since the poured concrete piers are not cured during installation. They are first poured and then you have to wait for ten days until the concrete settles. While this is a secure method to perform foundation repair, it also has its cons. And one of the cons is that the poured concrete piers may not cure properly or may not settle the right way.
Bell Concrete Piers
The process of bell concrete piers installation is similar to the poured concrete piers, except that the base of the piers in this situation has a bell-like shape. This is one to assure that the pier has a wider base of support. Once the base is settled, the piers are poured inside the holes and metal is added to the wet concrete to make sure it is more stable. This is a preferred method that our clients choose since it offers a longer-lasting and safer foundation.
