Foundation Focus: Push & Helical Piers

You’ve found cracks in your basement walls and the windows upstairs have been harder to open and close. You are now faced with a settling foundation and wondering what can be done?

Depending specifically on the cracks and status of the foundation will depend on the solution your home needs, but commonly with a settling foundation, piers are the way to go. Steel piers permanently stabilize your home with the potential to lift the home, closing cracks and fixing window and door functions.

There are two main types of piers, push and helical. Both piers require soil around the foundation to be removed to expose the footing to install the pier. A steel bracket is placed under the footing and then the piers are moved via hydraulic equipment. Once the piers are placed, and a lift is attempted, if possible, the soil is backfilled. The system is now out of sight, but the benefits remain!

Push Piers

These steel piers are pushed into the ground, hence the name “Push” Piers! The piers are pushed in until they hit bedrock, transferring the weight of the home from the concrete foundation to the piers and bedrock below. Push Pier installs have the best opportunity when attempting to lift the home.

Helical Piers

These piers are installed very similarly to the Push Piers, but instead of being pushed, they are screwed into the earth. They are screwed until they reach the appropriate depth depending on the type of soil around the home and once they reach load-bearing depths, they can then hold the weight of the home. With helical piers, a lift is possible, but they are a good choice for lighter structures or with a Push Pier for optimal support.

When addressing the issue of foundation settlement, it’s best to call in the professionals, like DryZone Basement Systems! Our team is trained to inspect the foundation and find the best solution based on their findings and your specific home.