Subfloor piers, damp soil and dropping bearers in older Hills homes
What a defect investigation looks for under a raised timber floor.
In short: Older Hills homes on piers can suffer when the subfloor stays damp. Piers move and bearers lose contact.
The symptom upstairs
Bouncy floors, doors that bind and cracks around frames often start in the subfloor.
What we found nearby
On an investigation in a nearby suburb, rear brick piers showed displacement, several piers were set into damp soil and gaps had opened between bearers and piers.
Moisture as the driver
Raised moisture readings and staining across the subfloor pointed to poor drainage and ventilation as the underlying cause.
Mineral staining
Water staining and calcite deposits on foundation walls show water has been moving through the masonry for some time.
Next steps
Drainage and ventilation improvements, then an engineer to assess the piers. Packing bearers without fixing the moisture only delays the problem.
Written by our local inspection team from work carried out in Rouse Hill. Licensed building practitioners, NSW Fair Trading licence 366177C.
