Slab foundations are the most common foundation in Baltimore, as they are an affordable yet durable application that supports the home’s structural integrity. However, homeowners who want an alternative may choose a pier and beam foundation.
Pier and beam foundations consist of underground piers set to align with the house’s corners and critical walls. Then, installers connect the piers with the rest of the building using horizontal beams connecting to the vertical piers to help stabilize it. Unlike the piers, these beams are installed above the soil, creating a convenient crawl space beneath the house. The homeowners can use the space to run plumbing lines, electrical system wiring, and many other installations that would otherwise run through the walls.
As convenient as pier and beam foundations are, they’re still foundations. In other words, they suffer from many of the same problems as other foundation types:
Soil shifting: Shifting soil doesn’t support any foundation type well, and pier and beam foundations are no exception. Soil movement due to long periods of freezing and thawing or drought can displace piers, beams, joists, and other parts of the structure.
Prolonged moisture exposure: Although pier and beam foundations can be constructed with different materials, most builders use wood. Heavy rainfall that saturates the ground spreads to these sections. Left unprotected, they rot, and their ability to support the house diminishes.
Renovations: A pier and beam foundation is installed to bear a specified load. Adding extra weight during renovations may negatively impact the foundation.
Erosion: Wind and water are so powerful that they can erode the soil. Once ground erodes, it leaves voids that destabilize pier and beam foundations.
Wall plate anchors: Wall plate anchors are massive plates connected to basement foundation rods. Accurate Builders of the Chesapeake can install them to secure sagging foundation walls and keep them from moving further. They’re also easy to install, making them a quick yet effective repair solution.
C-channel anchors: C-channel anchors are steel anchors installed in basement foundations to reinforce the structure and prevent excessive movement. They can absorb much more impact than wood and other materials, allowing them to brace the foundation in the event of soil shift.
Invisibeam carbon fiber straps: InvisiBeam is the leading brand of carbon fiber straps that can reinforce a basement foundation. Installed vertically along basement walls, they stop further movement and secure the area from shifts and other threats. InvisiBeam straps are approximately ten times stronger than metal.
Carbon fiber staples: Carbon fiber staples are generally used for so-called moving cracks (those caused by poor backfilling or soil shifts). They permanently seal these gaps, so water can no longer enter the basement through the holes.
Epoxy crack injection: Accurate Builders of the Chesapeake can inject top-quality epoxy into basement foundation cracks. Once it enters the system, the epoxy expands to seal the gap and rid the household of moisture problems.
Steel push piers: If the ground surrounding the basement foundation has settled, steel push piers can address the problem. These steel pipes are hydraulically installed and connected to the foundation footing with ultra-strong brackets to eliminate shifts.
Helical piers: Helical piers can be entrenched deep into the basement foundation and protect it from movement. They’re relatively easy to install and are considered a permanent solution since they last a lifetime.
Accurate Builders of the Chesapeake – Pier and Beam Foundation Repair Experts in Baltimore.
Some pier and beam foundation repairs sound straightforward but aren’t DIY projects. A misaligned board here and there can displace the house’s entire support system, leading to widespread damage. Rather than gamble, hire Accurate Builders of the Chesapeake for an efficient fix. We can repair any pier and beam foundation correctly the first time around.
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Accurate Builders of the Chesapeake provide foundation, basement, and crawlspace installation and repair for the greater Baltimore area homeowners.
