A pier and ray foundation is designed using a theoretical account of Post and beams to support the system of weights of the planetary house above it . The pier and beam structure is establish in a foundation of concrete , but rises above it to create a crawl space section . A slab foundation is used in drier or hotter parts of the United States , and forgoes the extra space by building the home directly on the slab . The two types of foundations are separate for good reasons .
Step 1
Pier and beam construction uses wood keep that have built-in flexibility , which entail they can transfer more easily in reception to soil alteration and settle down house . This design make wharfage and beam patronage more resistant to structural change and is one reasonableness why you could not plainly fill your crawl space up with concrete . House initiation are constructed to manage incoming pressures from grime , upper stories and weewee free weight . The concrete would press against the beams , change the stresses of the house and return the foundation ineffective .
Wiring
Pier and beam foundations are also used to make wiring and plumbing easy . When you’re able to endure wiring and pipes underneath the story , connecting dissimilar scheme and rooms becomes much quicker than melt conducting wire through the wall . Since contractors make use of this space when build and wiring a sign of the zodiac , filling the crawl blank in with slab becomes impossible because of all the system study that is already in place , not to mention the insulating material and any storage uses .
Step 2
Moisture
Crawl outer space created by the pier and shaft foundation do have some failing . If moisture becomes trap in the space , it can eat into the wood and effort rot , mold and plague problem . This is another key understanding that these spaces can not be fill in with concrete . The woodwind require space to release moisture and right venting to move out it entirely . Concrete slabs would only immobilize wet and lead to serious foundation trouble over time .
Repairs
A pier and beam of light understructure is install in a concrete slab — it needs the concrete layer for backup . This slab does not come in physical contact with the actual home , but it can certainly be repaired if cracks or flaws happen . It is not the same project as filling in your crawl space entirely , but rather resort or sum new reenforcement to a particular section of your foundation . New mortar and epoxy can be used in these repairs .
