How to Spot Pier and Beam or Crawl Space Foundation Problems

Pier and beam or crawl space foundations are common, especially in older homes, in Childers Brothers’ northwestern Texas and eastern New Mexico service area. While generally durable, they often require a different kind of maintenance than slab or basement foundations.

But how do you know if your home’s pier and beam foundation is experiencing problems that require fixes?

In many ways there is a lot of overlap between the signs of foundation damage in a pier and beam home and in a home with a slab or basement foundation. A sunken pier or improperly supported beam can cause some of the same symptoms that foundation settlement does in other types of foundations.

7 Signs of Crawl Space Foundation Damage

1. Visible Cracks: As with many foundation issues, visible cracks in your walls is among the signs of pier and beam foundation damage. Hairline cracks are often harmless, but pay attention if they begin to widen over time. This is a sign that the damage is ongoing and possible caused by foundation problems.
2. Doors and Windows Misalignment: When a foundation begins to shift or is being unevenly supported, it throws many parts of the house out of alignment. One place this can be seen is the doors and windows. If you notice that they are sticking or difficult to close, it could be a sign of pier and beam problems.
3. Gaps Between Walls and Floors: Similar to how the alignment issues can affect doors and windows, so too can they impact your interior walls. Gaps can occur between interior walls and the floor or ceiling as the foundation gets out of alignment. This can indicate significant movement or settling of the foundation.
4. Uneven Floors: When you walk on your floor, does it feel like it is sloping? Do you notice things always seem to roll in the same direction? Sagging or sloping floors are common symptoms of pier and beam foundation problems because the beams are providing support for the floor joists.
5. Bouncing or Spongy Floors: If the floor joists or the beams that support them are worn or damaged, it can cause the floors to feel spongy or bouncy. That is because the floor isn’t receiving the proper support.
6. Visible Rot or Mold: Inspect the crawl space of your pier and beam home for any signs of rot or mold. These can compromise the integrity of wooden support beams and floor joists, leading to structural issues in the foundation.
7. Exterior Brick or Masonry Cracks: A shifting foundation can place stress on the exterior walls of your home as well. This stress manifests as cracks in the masonry or brickwork, often in a stair-step pattern.

What to Do If You Notice Pier and Beam Foundation Problems

If you have experienced problems with your pier and beam foundation, it is important to get the foundation inspected. With so many pieces needing to be in alignment, a professional can tell where the problems lie. Contact us at Childers Brothers to set up a 27-point inspection. We will give you an in-depth look at both what is causing the problems and how best to fix them.