A post and pier (or beam) foundation system is constructed from wood posts or concrete piers set into the ground, bearing the weight of the building set through connecting beams.
A post and pier system is easier to build and less costly than the more common perimeter concrete foundations but is not appropriate for all buildings.
We Offer Post and Pier Repair and Reinforcement for your LA home foundation. Learn more about what it means
It works best for building sites with a low likelihood of experiencing earthquake or hurricane-force winds, as these posts sit more shallow in the ground.
All foundations may experience problems in wet clay soils, especially when the soils shrinks or expands. Post and pier foundations might be pushed out of alignment in these situations. Your building may require engineering analysis in order to mitigate the risks.
A post and pier foundation can serve well for stable structures in solid soil, and last as long as the structure it supports.
These easy-to-build old-style foundations are more resilient than ever before, due to the advent of modern materials such as pressure-treated wood, and performed metal brackets & straps.
The most common problem with post and pier foundations in relation to earthquakes is the tendency for posts to shift off piers and beams to shift off posts.
Failure at either of these points can cause the substructure, and sometimes the entire house to collapse.
Measures can be taken to reinforce post and pier foundations. Bolting posts to piers and beams are the most common method. Lateral support can be achieved utilizing 2″x4″s as diagonal bracing from one post to the next.
Pre-drilled steel T-straps are recommended for attaching beams to posts. Pre-drilled, shop-fabricated, heavy gauge, bent sheet metal connectors are recommended for attaching posts to piers.
California Foundation Works will inspect the condition of your foundation support system and provide the best possible reinforcement solution. Let us be your number one choice in Los Angeles. We are a one stop shop for everything home related – from foundation to drainage, leveling, to structural reinforcement and retrofit.
California Foundation Works, is a Los Angeles Based Foundation, Drainage and Concrete Contractor.
