Soil Erosion
Even though soil erosion might not be at the top of our list of ferocious forces, you cannot take the power of flowing water lightly. Depending on your location, pitch, and weather patterns, your pier footers can be washed away right under your nose.
As water flows past your pier footer, the water picks up and carries away some of the supporting soil. Soil erosion might not be an issue for people who build on a relatively flat plane, but it can be a serious concern for homeowners who are building on a slope or who encounters sever storms or flooding. If you so happen to be one of those individuals, you may want to take extra consideration of the pier footer that you use underneath your structure. Below is an image of the damage that soil erosion can play on your future deck or sun room.