Have you been putting off needed pier and beam foundation repair? If so, it’s time to make that call! A weak foundation allows a home to shift and eventually settle, risking cracks and other costly damage. Additionally, those cracks let in moisture that can lead to mold, mildew, and wood rot.
However, some homeowners might still avoid needed pier and beam foundation repair, afraid of its cost. The good news is that not all foundation repair is as expensive as you might assume. While every contractor’s pricing varies, note some national averages for pier and beam repairs. Then, discuss your property’s needs with a foundation repair contractor near you as needed.
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Average Cost of Pier and Beam Foundation Repair Methods
First, note that pier and beam foundation repair costs vary according to your property’s size and damage extent. Also, additional services such as vapor barrier or dehumidifier installation add to these costs.
- Shimming involves pounding wedge shaped pieces between piers and beams. These pieces help lift a sinking structure back into position and provide added support to the foundation. Simple shimming might run $2500 to $3500 or more, depending on your structure’s size.
- Adding new concrete or steel piers or blocks under a pier and beam foundation might run about $6000. Again, this depends on your property’s size, number of piers installed, and materials chosen.
- Crack repair might run between $250 and $800 per patch.
- Replacing pier and beam foundations usually average about $9 per square foot. In turn, you might pay $7200 to over $13,000 for the average family home.
Do Pier and Beam Homes Have Foundation Issues?
Every foundation design suffers wear and tear over the year, including piers and beams and crawl spaces. Contractors often note that moisture is the number one enemy of foundations, including piers and beams. Also, it’s easy to crawl spaces to trap moisture, increasing the damage risk!
In turn, property owners might consider waterproofing a crawl space and their structure’s foundation. Encapsulation involves a contractor attaching a thick plastic sheeting over crawl space surfaces, blocking moisture. Vapor barriers install just over the ground, keeping piers and beams from absorbing dew and evaporating moisture.
Also, contractors might recommend sump pumps and dehumidifiers in a crawl space. These collect moisture and then redirect it, away from the structure’s foundation. Both solutions protect foundations as well as a structure’s wood framing and any features running underneath the framing. These features might include plumbing pipes, electrical wiring, and the like.
How Long Do Pier Foundations Last?
Generally speaking, pier foundations might last some 75 years on average. However, trapped moisture risks premature damage. Also, shifting soil conditions allow those piers to also shift, putting added pressure on one side or the other. In turn, you might notice cracks and other damage before long.
On the other hand, high-quality encapsulation protects piers and beams and a property’s underside. Proper soil grading, a French drain installation, and other options also keep the piers in good condition. Above all, property owners should schedule timely pier and beam foundation repair when needed! Keeping a foundation in good condition helps prolong its lifespan and prevents secondary damage as well.
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