I've heard both ways and reading the historical forum comments also suggests either direction.
I had the option of replacing the support beam but chose to keep the current one by contractor's opinion. So the support beam itself is the same.
The current piers are damaged, and because of their damage, the beam has started to twist. So we are replacing the current piers and then straightening out the beam.
I imagine foundation work doesn't normally add value to a property like a new roof can so my presumption is that it isn't an improvement. A roof has an expected life span whereas foundation either works or it doesn't.
My opinion is a repair where I can deduct the entire $5400 the same year this is done. Depreciating during high levels of economic inflation seem to reduce the value of the deduction over time so I'd rather take the expense now than wonder how much I really did "save" with my $200 deduction 10 years from now, let alone in 25 years.
