PIER & BEAM FOUNDATION

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What Is a Pier & Beam Foundation?

A pier and beam foundation is a traditional type of home foundation built on a raised structure, supported by concrete piers (or wooden posts) and beams. It creates a crawl space underneath your home, allowing for easier access to plumbing, electrical, and structural components.

This style of foundation is common in older homes across Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend — especially in areas with high moisture or unstable soils.

Why Pier & Beam Foundations Work Well in Corpus Christi

With our region’s expansive clay soil and frequent shifts between drought and heavy rain, pier and beam systems offer key advantages:

  • Elevated design helps protect your home from flooding or standing water

  • Flexibility – allows the structure to move slightly with soil changes without major cracking

  • Easy access to plumbing and utilities for repairs and upgrades

  • Better ventilation under the home, helping prevent moisture buildup

How We Inspect Pier & Beam Foundations

At On The Level Foundation & Roofing, our inspections are thorough and built on experience. Here's what we check:

  1. Crawl Space Access & Structure
    – We inspect the piers, beams, joists, and subfloor for damage, sagging, or shifting.

  2. Moisture Conditions
    – We check for signs of water pooling, wood rot, mold, or pest damage in the crawl space.

  3. Interior Signs of Movement
    – We look for cracks in walls, uneven floors, sticking doors, and alignment issues.

  4. Plumbing & Drainage Review
    – We assess if water leaks or poor drainage are affecting your foundation's stability.

  5. Laser Leveling & Elevation Readings
    – For accurate measurement of settlement and slope.

After the inspection, we provide a detailed report and walk you through recommended solutions — no pressure, no upselling.

Common Pier & Beam Repair Methods We Use

  • Re-shimming – Adjusting and leveling the structure using steel or composite shims

  • Replacing or Re-leveling Piers – Resetting or adding piers for better support

  • Beam and Joist Repair – Replacing damaged wood due to rot or termites

  • Drainage Correction – Adding French drains or grading to prevent future moisture issues