Pier, Post & Girder Failures
Why Crawl Space Supports Sink, Tilt, or Collapse — and How to Permanently Stabilize Them
Piers, posts, and girders support the floor system and transfer loads to the ground. Failures occur when supports are improperly installed, undersized, or placed on unstable soil. Many older crawl spaces rely on masonry blocks stacked directly on soil without proper footings. Over time, moisture softens soil and allows supports to settle or tilt.
As supports shift, loads redistribute unevenly across the floor system. Floors sag, beams deflect, and structural stress increases throughout the home. Moisture accelerates this process by weakening both soil and wood components. Temporary shimming or surface adjustments do not correct underlying instability.
Proper repair requires rebuilding support systems with adequate load distribution and stable footing systems. Supports must be designed to carry the intended loads and resist settlement. Moisture control is critical, as wet soils and high humidity are the primary causes of support failure. When supports are rebuilt correctly and the crawl space environment is stabilized, structural systems regain long-term reliability.
