Can Moisture Under My Pier & Beam Damage The Foundation?

Preventing the Moisture

When you own a home or other structure, you obviously want to preserve the structural integrity of the building. One of the most important things you can do is take care of the foundation. If it becomes weakened, you may notice things like sagging floors or cracks developing in the walls. These can be early signs of more serious problems to come. You may find yourself asking the question “Can moisture under my pier & beam damage the foundation?” One of the best things you can do is take steps to prevent moisture from getting into the crawl space of your home. If moisture is present, you should take steps to eliminate it. You will also need to repair any damage that has already been done. There are a number of ways moisture can cause damage.

Standing Water

Water that gets into the crawl space in sufficient quantities to stand or puddle after the rainfall that caused it has stopped can impact the soil upon which the foundation is built. The soil can wash away in places or become soft. In these cases, the piers that are supporting the beams can begin to shift or even sink. This will need to be corrected sooner rather than later. You can find out more information on how to get the repair process started by visiting www.structuredfoundation.com.

Mold

Moist, damp environments create ideal conditions for the growth of mold. When this happens, your family’s health can be threatened, especially if any members are sensitive to respiratory irritations. In addition, the presence of mold can lead to musty odors. Mold that grows on wooden beams will cause deterioration as it begins to eat away them. This will cause weakening or cracking of the very parts of the foundation that is supporting everything else.

Insects

Standing water or other moist conditions can also attract insects. They can be irritating enough in their own right, but they can also carry diseases in many cases. Controlling the moisture is not only good for the structure, but it is good for the individuals inside the structure as well.

Can moisture under my pier & beam damage the foundation? Since moisture can in fact lead to damage, you should make arrangements to have professional repairs made to prevent this kind of damage or fix any damage that has already been done. Signs that you may need help include:

• Doors that are difficult to open or closed
• Cracks in the walls
• Walls that are separating from the floor or ceiling
• Uneven or sagging floors
• Bugs in the crawl space or basement
• Musty odor coming from basement or crawl space
• Standing water in basement or crawl space
• Visible mold

The presence of these signs should be considered a call for a closer look. A professional evaluation is one of the most important things you can do to prevent damage that water can cause. If damage has already occurred, it can be professionally repaired as well.