What Is Under Your Feet? Post Installation In Kentuckiana

Floor structure and support of a home is one of the key aspects to determine the longevity, structural integrity, and prevention against settlement and further expenditures down the line. Kentuckiana, an area with a rich history, is plumb full of homes built long ago, which are often on a crawlspace or basement. For many in the area, these homes go on the market and can seem like a great way to begin home ownership or being part of the history , but what is under your feet is much more important.

These older homes in the Kentuckiana area can be renovated from what they were into modern looking, sleek homes. This can be deceiving, as these homes are usually fixed just to sell. This means that shortcuts can be taken sometimes on the areas the homeowner might not see or care to look. Defects I often find on the job can be more conspicuous than others. For example, with older homes on a crawlspace, I often see what I like to call “crawlspace jenga”, which refers to post installation within a crawlspace.

Here’s what that looks like.

Posts such as these are usually added for a reason. The floor needed support. However, scrap materials were used to create a semblance of a post or beam, but fall short in supporting the structure properly. The bottom masonry block in the image above will be susceptible to crumbling as time passes. A good alternative to this would be have one or more steel columns resting on a concrete pad, or properly stacked masonry units to prevent settling of the post.

In Kentucky and Southern Indiana, clay soil can allow for the settling of posts in a crawlspace, which can happen without the homeowners knowing.

Here is what a good post installation looks like.

The masonry units are stacked correctly, and shims have been added to make the beam and flooring above level. This is one of the reasons why we strongly recommend having a home inspection. If no one sees or can determine these defects and their severity, it can cost you big as a homeowner down the line.

For basements, the same can be said, albeit with a little more visibility in some cases. Another defect I frequently run into are posts not being well secured to the beams in the basement.

This post in the basement is leaning. Why is that?

A common reason as to why is that the posts are not well secured. Ideally, this post would be bolted into the concrete floor of the basement to prevent such issues from occurring. Small, bent nails are also being used to secure the post at the top.

Posts are just one aspect of the floor structure. It is part of a larger system in which the foundation, sill plate, beams, joists, and all other structural components come together to create a stable home.

In the Ohio Valley and beyond, there is no shortage of homes built on a crawlspace. It's important for all homeowners to know that their floor is supported properly.

If you notice any sagging floors, sticking doors, or large cracks on the wall or ceilings, act quickly and stay safe.

Noah B., Home Inspector
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