Foundation problems can be a major concern for homeowners. In Fort Worth Texas, they often stem from soil shifting. If left unaddressed, these issues can increase the price of the overall repair. One of the most common and effective ways to repair a damaged foundation is by using piers. Piers are a vertical load bearing structure that your foundation sits on and adds stability by transferring the weight of a home to piers, where the weight of the home is disbursed. However, not all piers are created equal. In this blog, we’ll cover the different types of piers used in foundation repair and help homeowners make the best decisions about what foundations repairs to choose.
What Are Foundation Piers?
Foundation piers are structural supports installed beneath, a home to correct foundation shifting and help reduce future movement. Piers are built in when the soil is dry and by excavating a large-diameter hole, then reinforcing it and filling it with concrete. A pile with a diameter exceeding 0.6 meters is classified as a pier.
Foundation piers work by transferring the weight of a home from unstable surface soil to more stable soil layers below. They can lift and level a settling foundation. This correction helps prevent further cracking and structural damage. Different types of piers are used depending on soil conditions, foundation type, and severity of the problem.
Types of Foundation Piers
Helical Piers
Helical piers are long steel rods with screw-like plates place along it that are driven deep into the ground to provide a strong platform for structures. They are used for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.
These piers should be used when the soil on the foundation has been exposed to moisture for a long period of time and it causes it to become unstable. Helical piers are particularly beneficial since installing it would be the least invasive pier to install.
One of the main reasons repair companies use helical piers is the speed of installation. Most piers require some sort of excavation, while helical piers do not. They will need machinery to install the screw into the soil, but it is a quick process. Unlike traditional concrete foundation repair, helical piers do not need time for the concrete to cure, making them a faster and more efficient solution. Additionally, helical piers provide a high load capacity, making them a durable and long-lasting option for foundation repair.
While helical piers are often more expensive than traditional piers, their reliability and ease of installation will make them a worthwhile investment for homeowners peace of mind in their foundation repair.
Push Piers
Push piers, also known as resistance piers, are hydraulically driven deep into the soil beneath a foundation until they reach load-bearing strata. Unlike helical piers, push piers do not have screw-like plates. They rely on the weight of the structure to push them into place. This foundation repair method is traditionally used in concrete foundations. They work similarly like a car jack stand. Once setted to a load-bearing strata, they are locked into place with a series of bolts and nuts and level out the foundation.
Push piers are the best solution for homes built on unstable soil. They require to be installed deep into your soil to support your foundation. These piers can be used in various poor soil conditions, making them a versatile tool foundation repair companies can use. One of the biggest benefits of push piers is their adjustability. Because each pier is installed individually and driven into the ground until they reach stable soil, they can be customized by the hydraulic lift to get it level.
Push piers are often a more cost-effective solution compared to helical piers. They do not require any concrete to be installed. The process requires less material and labor, making them an attractive option for homeowners seeking to stabilize their foundation without needing to have heavy construction done to the perimeter outer home.
Slab Piers
Slab piers are designed specifically for homes with concrete slab foundations. Unlike no other pier foundation repairs methods that are installed around the perimeter of a home. Slab piers are placed directly beneath the concrete slab to provide support and level your foundation.
Homes with slab foundations can experience cracks and shifting due to poor soil conditions. In areas like Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, these areas have soil conditions that cause it to expand, ultimately shifting your home’s foundation. Slab piers are a type of underpinning designed specifically for structures with slab foundations. Underpinning reinforces existing foundations and stabilizes poor soil by extending past the layer of unusable soil to soil to solid that can be used by your foundation. Once reaching stable ground, they permanently support your home and restore the concrete slab to its original level. They provide a long-term solution with minimal disruption for those with concrete foundation repair.
Slab piers are a highly effective solution for repairing sunken concrete foundations. While they may be more expensive than traditional push or helical piers, they offer a permanent fix that helps maintain the structural integrity of a home.
Drilled Concrete Piers
Drilled concrete piers are one of the first methods builders used for foundations. This process involves drilling deep holes into the ground, reinforcing them with rebar and steel, and then filling them with concrete to create a stable foundation. Drilled concrete piers are commonly used in areas with highly expansive clay soils, which can commonly cause significant foundation shifting over time.
Drilled concrete piers require more labor, equipment, and time to install. The process involves digging deep into the soil with a machine, inserting steel reinforcements, and allowing the concrete to cure before supporting the foundation. This method is more time-consuming and costly, but it provides long-term support for heavy structures. These types of foundation repair could be most commonly done on commercial buildings.
If you have a large commercial building that requires foundation repair. Consider using drilled concrete piers. However, due to the extensive labor and excavation required, they are not always the most practical option for residential repairs.
Crawl Space Jacks
Crawl space jacks, also known as adjustable steel jacks, are used to stabilize and lift sagging floor joists in homes with homes that have crawl space foundations. Crawl space jacks are placed beneath the flooring system to provide immediate support. But they are often a bandage fix, often requiring one of the methods to correct the problem.
If you find that your home has uneven or unlevel floors. They often suffer from weak support beams. Moisture in crawl spaces can cause damage to your pier and beam foundation. They can develop wood rot. Crawl space jacks help correct these issues by lifting and stabilizing the affected areas.
One of the main advantages of crawl space jacks is that they are easily adjustable, allowing for future corrections over time. Their installation is quick and non-invasive compared to deep foundation piers, making them a cheap solution for homeowners dealing with crawl space foundation problems.
Maestro’s Foundation Repair
Foundation piers play a crucial role in stabilizing and restoring homes affected by settlement. Whether using helical piers, push piers, or drilled concrete piers, selecting the right solution is essential for long-term structural integrity. Foundation repair is not a one-size-fits-all process, and homeowners should consider factors such as soil type, foundation damage, and budget before choosing a repair method.
If you suspect foundation issues in your home, contacting a professional foundation repair company is the best way to determine the most effective solution. Maestro’s Foundation Repair specializes in providing expert inspections and customized foundation repair solutions to ensure your home remains stable and secure for years to come.