Lets be Clear About Post & Pier Repair!

03/14/25 • 10 min

Buying A Home? Don't Panic! with John Laforme

The posts and piers under your home support the foundation and floor structure of your house. They help distribute the weight of the home evenly to the ground, preventing sagging, shifting, or structural failure. Specifically, they support:

John Laforme and YC from SoCal seismic construction discuss the importance of posts, piers, and beams in home foundations. They explain that these interior elements support the floor joists and walls, and can face issues like spalling, deterioration, and misalignment, similar to foundation problems. They highlight common defects such as undermining due to plumbing work, settling due to moisture, and water intrusion causing rot. The average cost to replace a post and pier is around $400, depending on accessibility and other factors. They also discuss the pros and cons of different foundation types and the comprehensive inspections conducted during retrofitting.

Step-by-Step Process:
1. Assess the Damage
- Inspect the post and pier for signs of rot, cracks, or shifting.
- Check if only the post needs replacing or if the pier itself is damaged.
2. Provide Temporary Support
- Place a hydraulic jack under the beam near the damaged post.
- Slowly lift just enough to relieve pressure on the damaged post (do not over-lift to prevent structural damage).
- Insert temporary support (jack stands or a temporary wood beam).
3. Remove the Damaged Post & Pier
- If the post is wood, cut it out carefully with a saw.
- If the pier is cracked or sinking, dig it out and remove any debris.
4. Install a New Pier (if needed)
- Dig a hole below the old pier (usually 18-24 inches deep, depending on soil conditions).
- Pour a concrete footing and let it cure for at least 24-48 hours.
- Place a concrete pier block or pour a new pier using a sonotube.
- Ensure the pier is level and aligned properly.
5. Install a New Post
- Cut a new pressure-treated post to the correct height.
- Secure the post to the new pier using a metal post base.
- Attach the top of the

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John Laforme
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Home Inspection Authority LLC
Former President of CREIA Mid Valley Chapter
Former Vice President of CREIA Mid Valley Chapter

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Step-by-Step Process:
1. Assess the Damage
- Inspect the post and pier for signs of rot, cracks, or shifting.
- Check if only the post needs replacing or if the pier itself is damaged.
2. Provide Temporary Support
- Place a hydraulic jack under the beam near the damaged post.
- Slowly lift just enough to relieve pressure on the damaged post (do not over-lift to prevent structural damage).
- Insert temporary support (jack stands or a temporary wood beam).
3. Remove the Damaged Post & Pier
- If the post is wood, cut it out carefully with a saw.
- If the pier is cracked or sinking, dig it out and remove any debris.
4. Install a New Pier (if needed)
- Dig a hole below the old pier (usually 18-24 inches deep, depending on soil conditions).
- Pour a concrete footing and let it cure for at least 24-48 hours.
- Place a concrete pier block or pour a new pier using a sonotube.
- Ensure the pier is level and aligned properly.
5. Install a New Post
- Cut a new pressure-treated post to the correct height.
- Secure the post to the new pier using a metal post base.
- Attach the top of the

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Thanks For Listening

Previous Episode

Efflorescence Vs Spalling Vs Your Foundation

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John Laforme and YC of SoCal Seismic discuss foundation issues such as efflorescence and spalling. Efflorescence is white mineral deposits from moisture intrusion, while spalling is concrete crumbling. They emphasize the importance of proper foundation inspections and testing, such as the pen test, to assess the sturdiness of foundations. A foundation replacement can cost around $85,000. They also highlight the impact of expansive soil, which expands and shrinks with moisture, causing cracks. Proper ventilation and drainage are crucial to prevent moisture issues. They also discuss the use of structural-grade plywood for cripple wall bracing and the importance of understanding building fundamentals for home inspectors.

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Next Episode

CMU, Brick and River Rock Foundations And What You Need To Know!

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John Laforme and YC with SoCal Seismic Foundation discuss the pros and cons of CMU (concrete masonry unit), brick and River rock foundations. They note that many older CMU foundations are hollow and difficult to retrofit, while brick foundations are often unreinforced and non retrofit-able. They emphasize the importance of inspecting for anchor bolts and rebar, which indicate a foundation's structural integrity. They also discuss the high cost of foundation replacements, averaging $85,000, and the challenges of dealing with historical homes. The conversation highlights the need for proper training and education for inspectors and the importance of working with specialists for foundation repairs.

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Buying A Home? Don't Panic! with John Laforme - Lets be Clear About Post & Pier Repair!

Transcript

John Laforme00:00:00.000

Buying a home. Don't panic, just listen to the rest of this podcast. Okay, I'm here with YC from SoCal seismic construction house. Bolting. How you doing? How you doing? You're back again. Man, so soon. What a nice drive to get back here. Beautiful. So today I want to go over posts and piers and beams. Oh, yeah. So posts and piers and beams are not on the perimeter of your foundation, correct? They are inside. Would you call them partition typ