4 Unique Risks of Pier and Beam Flips—And How to Handle Them
Pier and beam homes are set on foundations of piers – concrete or wood posts set deep into the ground – and beams which support the house set on top of the piers. This type of foundation is excellent for regions with shifting soil and periodic flooding. So you’ll see them frequently in regions where these conditions are common. Of course, like any architectural style, pier and beam homes also come with their own challenges.
When flipping a house with a pier and beam foundation, it’s important to watch out for the unique risks that come with a house that’s up off the ground. Let’s talk about what to expect and how to handle each challenge to make your flip a success.
1) Pests Below the House
Pier and beam homes have a crawl space that is usually not well-sealed this means it creates a sheltered space for pests to move in. From local insects to rodent colonies, any pier and beam property might be home to an entire secret “family” below. This can catch flippers unawares but if you know it’s a risk, the proactive steps are easy to plan.
Have the area below the house inspected for pests big and small. If there are insects, call the exterminator. If there are bees, have them collected by a pollinator preservation service. And if there are rodents, call animal control for humane removal, if possible. Then leave deterrents and seal up the outer sheathing to keep them from coming back.
2) Hidden Mold Growth
Pier and beam can also hide a different kind of colony. Mold colonies love to live below pier and beam homes where moisture gets trapped between the lumber beams and the damp earth below. It’s dark and protected, the perfect environment for vast and dangerous mold growth. This can pose a health hazard and long-term structural hazard if undetected. But knowing is half the battle when it comes to mold.
Have the crawl space of your flip inspected for mold. Make sure mold isn’t eating away at the wooden beams or any wooden elements of the piers. Check for sponginess and hidden spaces. If mold is found, call a local mold remediation service to have it removed. Extensive mold damage can mean you might need foundation repairs as well, but pier and beam repairs tend to be more affordable and less extensive than slab foundation repairs.
3) DIY Plumbing Arrangements
Another risk that you might not see coming with a pier and beam flip is DIY plumbing (or electrical) arrangements. Because previous owners could reach the plumbing under the house, they might have decided to get creative about adding new fixtures or repairing damaged pipes. This could cause some serious problems in the future, including issues with building codes. It may be even more problematic if there are DIY electrical splices down there.
Get your crawl space inspected by a licensed plumber and have anything questionable built to code. Do the same with electrician if you see unsafe or DIY-looking work below. This ensures you will be legally protected and future residents will be safer when it comes time to sell or rent the home.
4) Damaged Piers or Sagging Beams
Pier and beam foundations also have a shorter lifespan than most slab foundations. However, the individual components can be shored up, repaired, or replaced more easily than a concrete slab. Check the level of the floors inside the home and check the pier and beam structure below the house to find out if there are any lurking maintenance issues or major repairs that need to take place before you complete the flip.
Flipping a Pier and Beam Property
When planning to flip a home on a pier and beam foundation, make sure to have the crawlspace inspected and calculate for proactive maintenance steps in your total flipping project budget. While it is possible that a pier and beam home might have none of these problems, it’s always better to never be caught by surprise. Leaf Management has worked with properties in every architectural scope and our pros have useful insights to improve your local flipping strategy. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you pick and plan the most profitablef flips.