Types of Damage to Stilts or Pilings - Heavenly Foundations (2024)

Homes built on stilts or pilings can sustain damage even without exposure to storm surge and flooding. Admittedly, much of the damage to stilts orpilings we see is because of repeated water exposure, but there are other causes. The two primary types of stilts found in our area are pressure treated wood or concrete. Both incur damage over time.

Depending upon the type of flood zone your home is in, your stilts may range from a few feet to an entire story like many homes in Oldsmar. Although we haven’t had a direct hit from a hurricane in many years, the torrential rains recently have exposed homes in flood zones to standing water and many homeowners are beginning to see visible evidence of damage either in the pilings or in their home.

Types of Damage to Stilts or Pilings - Heavenly Foundations (1)

Piling Damage

The preservative used to pressure treat wood pilings deteriorates over time, especially when exposed to salt or brackish water. When the preservative stops protecting the wood, micro-organisms begin to live in the wood and weaken the structural stability. Other pests, like termites and carpenter bees, can infest the wood once the preservative deteriorates.

Damage to concrete or wood stilts can occur under the ground’s surface. We regularly hear about sinkholes in the area and they can damage the structural stability of the entire home. When the stilts are no longer supported as they were designed with the sand placing pressure on them, air and water both can cause damage. If you’ve experienced storm surge and several inches of sand were washed away, the stability stilts can be compromised. Another cause of damage to stilts and pilings under the ground is from tree roots. If you have large trees near your home, their roots can remove water from the soil and shift the soil and pilings.

Concrete piling issues are mainly with their construction. If a concrete piling was constructed with steel reinforcements and that steel becomes exposed to water, the steel begins to corrode. When this occurs, the steel expands slightly, causing cracks in the concrete, which allows more water in and hastens the deterioration.

If your home is elevated and you suspect damage to stilts or pilings, or that there is a problem, call the foundation experts at Heavenly Foundations. We will inspect your pilings for damage and evaluate the damage you see in your home that may have resulted from damaged stilts. Contactus today at 727-228-6144 for your free inspection.

Types of Damage to Stilts or Pilings - Heavenly Foundations (2024)

FAQs

What is stilt on piling foundation? ›

Pile dwellings have poles--often called stilts--driven into the ground to support their structures. Stilt houses are also called pile dwellings, because rods or poles are driven into the ground to sustain the structure.

Are houses on stilts safe in hurricane? ›

And because our pedestal, stilt and piling homes for beach front and coastal areas are elevated and often multi-sided in design, storm and hurricane winds flow around, over and under them with far less damage-causing wind resistance than with conventional houses.

Do house stilts rot? ›

It's going to rot around the outer edges, but you still have a lot of mass in there, so I don't think you have a problem. If you stick it all the way through, then you have a problem and then you have to replace them. You don't just pour concrete on them, that's just going to make them rot even quicker.

What are the disadvantages of houses on stilts? ›

Stilted houses can be risky due to poor design, limited support and poor materials used in construction. If a stilted house is designed and built well, it should be safer to live in than a normal house. If the stilts aren't safely built up, something like a big earthquake could demolish them.

What is the difference between foundation piers and pilings? ›

While piers are typically constructed in place, pilings are fabricated off-site. Additionally, piers can be made from wood, brick, or concrete, while pilings are only made from concrete and steel. Pilings are available in several different configurations.

In what types of situation are pilings required for foundations? ›

Pile foundation is needed in areas where the structures constructed are large & heavy and the soil underlying is weak. In areas where settlement issues are common due to soil liquefaction or water table issues, pile foundation is a better choice.

Do houses on pilings sway? ›

A home resting on pilings may sway with a strong wind more than a home built on a traditional foundation. Because of the nature of sand, Outer Banks homes may also settle over time.

What do stilt houses protect from? ›

The most common reason for building a stilt house is for protection from flooding or vermin. Stilt houses are considered as eco-friendly as they can be easily built without causing significant harm to the landscape.

Is a house on stilts safe in tornado? ›

Stay away from the structurally weaker portions of buildings, such as windows and rooms with expansive roofs, which are more likely to collapse when tornadoes strike. If you are in a mobile home or home on stilts: Get out and take shelter in a sturdy building or storm shelter.

What is a house on stilts called? ›

Stilt houses (also called pile dwellings or lake dwellings) are houses raised on stilts (or piles) over the surface of the soil or a body of water. Stilt houses are built primarily as a protection against flooding; they also keep out vermin. The shady space under the house can be used for work or storage.

How deep do house stilts go? ›

Construction Phase

Once you know how high the first floor must sit, stilts are erected by driving them into the ground, two feet deep (at low tide) or more, depending on the size of the home and the environment around you.

What is the best material for house stilts? ›

Pearson Fiberglass Composite Pilings will never rot, rust or crumble. Strong enough to last for generations, they may never have to be replaced. Stronger than wood, steel or concrete, they better withstand the forces of nature. As friction pilings, they provide greater resistance to the soil, whether sand or soft mud.

Does OSHA regulate on stilts? ›

The Occupational Safety and Health Regulations for Construction do not specifically require the use of stilts. We would recommend that stilts adjustable from approximately 12 inches to 36 inches be used in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

What are the pros and cons of houses on stilts? ›

Pros: it will keep you house dry in the event of a flood and save you thousands in repairs or insurance claims with your deductible. Cons: you have to walk up a flight of stair to get into your living area. Building a house on stilts will place it above the waterline and allow occupation during floods.

How safe are stilts? ›

The risk of injury is increased if stilts are worn for extended periods of time. Certain actions such as bending and twisting can be hazardous because of the limited range of movement that the stilts allow.

What are the 2 most common type of deep foundation piers? ›

There are two main types of Deep foundations; Driven Piles and Drilled Piers.

Are piles and pilings the same thing? ›

Piling prepares the ground to carry heavy loads, such as a new home, office complex, road or another piece of infrastructure. Piles usually are long poles that are made of timber, steel or concrete.

Why are homes built on pilings? ›

House pilings are one of the most tried and tested foundation structures around. For centuries, builders have used this type of lumber to help protect homes where water could easily damage the base of the structure.

What are the major issues during pile foundation construction? ›

Especially, the structures founded on shallow foundations could settle in the construction of the pile. Further, excessive vibration could cause a severy issue. The settlement of the structure may lead to cracking and even the old structure or improperly constructed structures could collapse.

What are the four major types of pile foundation? ›

There are a four main types of pile foundation, each with its own method of construction:
  • Driven piles.
  • Bored piles.
  • Driven and cast-in-situ piles.
  • Aggregate piles.

Under which situations a well foundation is preferred over a pile foundation? ›

A well foundation is preferred to Pile foundation where the foundation has to resist large lateral forces, the river bed is prone to heavy score, heavy floating debris is expected during floods & where large boulders are embedded in the substrate.

What is a stilt in construction? ›

Stilts are poles, posts or pillars used to allow a structure or building to stand at a distance above the ground or water.

What is the difference between stilt and ground? ›

The difference between stilt floor and ground floor is height level. Stilt is generally kept at 2.5m, while ground floor is minimum 3.0m.

What is called stilt? ›

: one of two poles each with a rest or strap for the foot used to elevate the wearer above the ground in walking. : a pile or post serving as one of the supports of a structure above ground or water level.

What is stilt floor level? ›

Stilt floor means open parking area provided at ground level. The height of the stilt floor shall be a minimum of 2.4 m. and it shall not exceed 3.0 m. The height shall be considered for calculating the total height of the building.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tuan Roob DDS

Last Updated:

Views: 6300

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tuan Roob DDS

Birthday: 1999-11-20

Address: Suite 592 642 Pfannerstill Island, South Keila, LA 74970-3076

Phone: +9617721773649

Job: Marketing Producer

Hobby: Skydiving, Flag Football, Knitting, Running, Lego building, Hunting, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Tuan Roob DDS, I am a friendly, good, energetic, faithful, fantastic, gentle, enchanting person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.