Pier and Beam Foundation Repair in Montgomery, AL

Many older homes in Montgomery, Alabama were built on pier and beam foundations, also

called raised foundations. A series of masonry piers or wood posts supports a grid of beams

and floor joists, creating a crawl space beneath the house. While this design offers easy access

to plumbing and wiring, it is vulnerable to settlement, wood rot, and pest damage. Pier and

beam foundation repair in Montgomery restores the support system and levels your floors

without the need for a full rebuild.

Common Problems in Montgomery’s Raised Foundations

Pier and beam foundations fail for three main reasons in Montgomery, AL. First, the piers

themselves—often made of brick, concrete block, or untreated wood—can sink into the clay

soil when it softens after heavy rain. Second, moisture in the crawl space causes wood beams

and joists to rot, losing their load‑bearing capacity. Third, termites or carpenter ants can hollow

out wooden supports, leading to sudden collapse. You might notice springy or sagging floors,

doors that no longer latch, or cracks where interior walls meet the ceiling. Montgomery

Foundation Repair Co inspects every component, from the soil under the piers to the condition

of each floor joist.

Replacing Sunken or Rotated Piers

When a masonry pier sinks, the foundation above it tilts, creating a dip in the floor.

Montgomery Foundation Repair Co installs adjustable steel piers or helical piles next to the

failed masonry pier, then transfers the beam load to the new support. In many cases, we can

leave the original pier in place as a backup. For wood posts that have rotted at ground level,

we replace them with pressure‑treated 6x6 posts or galvanized steel adjustable jacks. All new

piers are set on precast concrete footings or small spread footings that distribute weight over a

larger area, reducing the risk of future settlement.

Leveling Floor Joists and Sistering Rotten Wood

Once the piers are stable, we turn our attention to the floor system. Using laser levels and

hydraulic jacks, Montgomery Foundation Repair Co lifts sagging floor joists back to level. If a

joist has minor rot on the end, we may cut back the damaged section and “sister” a new joist

alongside it, bolting the two together. For widespread rot, we replace entire sections of the

floor system. Finally, we install bridging (solid blocking or metal cross braces) between joists to

distribute loads evenly and reduce floor bounce. The result is a solid, level floor that feels like

new.

Integrating Crawl Space Moisture Control

Repairing the structure without addressing crawl space moisture is a losing battle. After

completing pier and beam repairs, Montgomery Foundation Repair Co recommends installing a

vapor barrier over the exposed soil, sealing crawl space vents, and adding a dehumidifier.

These steps keep humidity below 60 percent, preventing the wood rot that caused the original

problem. We also check that gutters and downspouts direct water at least 10 feet from the

foundation. A dry crawl space ensures your repaired foundation lasts as long as the rest of the

house.

Frequently Asked Questions