Pier Work

Foundation piering is the permanent, engineered solution for settlement

Foundations settle because the soil below the foundation can no longer support the weight of the structure above. The soil directly below the foundation is affected by poor compaction, soil moisture, tree roots, and many other factors. These factors affect the soil in many different ways, but the end result is that if the soil weakens or settles away from the bottom of the foundation. This results in downward settlement.

The most effective solution for settlement is steel foundation piering. There are two types of steel foundation piers; helical and push piers. Both helical and push piers work by transferring the weight of the structure off of the soil directly below the foundation footing. The weight is transferred to the pier which is supported deep below the surface in competent, unchanging soil. The soil deep below the surface is more stable than the soil closer to the surface. Moisture changes and vegetation do not affect soils that are deep below the surface. Steel piers that are anchored in deep soil are the best permanent solution for foundation settlement.

Push piers are a series of steel pipes that are hydraulically driven into the ground. They are pushed to great depths and often times hit bedrock or load bearing strata. Push piers act as columns that support the footing. These columns are embedded in bedrock or load-bearing soils and will not sink over time.

Helical piers are a series of pipes that are screwed into the ground using small excavation equipment. The first section of the pier has a steel flight on the end which acts like the threads on a screw. The helical pier screws into the soil until it reaches competent soil. The piers are torqued into the ground using a drive head. The amount of torque exerted on the pier can be calculated into the amount of weight that the pier can hold. Helical piers also act as columns for the footing so that the weight of the house is transferred off the unstable soil, to the deep competent soil further below.

Push piers and helical piers will permanently support the foundation and in many cases, the foundation will be able to be lifted back to level.

The push and helical pier systems are the most effective and economical settlement solutions on the market today. They are less intrusive than wall replacement, and more effective than concrete piers or concrete underpinning.

That is why they come with a 20 years fully transferable warranty.

Foundation piering is not something that should be done by inexperienced contractors or novices. It requires a great deal of expertise to diagnose the settlement problem, and engineer a solution that will last over time. With our years of expertise and our full line of piering solutions, we will be able to provide you with the right solution to support your settling foundation.