How to Level a Pier & Beam Foundation

Pier and beam is a popular construction method in many areas. It uses some form of masonry pier including concrete walls, concrete blocks, pre-cast concrete forms, even bricks, to hold large wooden beams, which support the house. These houses have crawl space under them that are typically between 18 and 24 or more inches high, to allow access under the frame. Over time, piers may shift, due to changes in the soil, erosion or other factors. This can cause beams to sag and the entire house to shift.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Level
• Builder's twine
• Wood blocks
• Hydraulic jack
• Temporary piers
• Permanent repair piers or beams

Instructions

1. Consult a structural engineer if the sagging is extreme. This will determine whether the problem is serious enough to require major professional reconstruction or whether a homeowner can handle the job. Trying to raise a seriously damaged foundation could be dangerous.

2. Find the lowest spot by running a level string line from side to side under the house. Nail this line to blocks and attach those to a beam on either side. Locate the lowest spot by measuring from the bottom of the floor joists to the line. Build a temporary pier of blocks next to the pier at that point.

3. Put a hydraulic jack under the joist at the low point and slowly begin raising the joist. Add blocks to the permanent and temporary piers as you raise the house. When that joist is level with the next lowest pier, remove the jack and let the joist rest on the temporary pier. Move to the next pier and repeat the process. Continue until all low piers have been raised to the same level. This may have to be done in stages. Raising the lowest pier may affect level of adjacent piers, which will have to be raised a bit before the lowest pier can be raised more.

4. Make permanent pier repairs. If the existing piers are solid and stable and the ground under them is not shifting, add extra wood beams under the joists to keep the floor level. If the piers are damaged, tilted or otherwise not stable, remove them while the house rests on the temporary piers and replace with new pre-cast concrete forms, blocks or other masonry piering.

Tips & Warnings

• Move slowly. Don't lift a house more than 1/8-inch per day and give it time to "settle" at the new spot before lifting more.

• Make sure soil is stable before beginning repairs.

• Using multiple jacks will make the process go faster.

• Screw jacks may be used instead of hydraulic jacks.

• Move cautiously when lifting a house to avoid creating dangerous situations. Stop work at any sign of trouble or unusual movement.

References

• Flip Thy House: pier and beam repair
• Askville: leveling a house
• Country Plans: pier and beam foundation
• Bedrock Foundation: pier and beam repair