Helical Pier Installation

Changes in the moisture level, specifically, underground in the Bearing Stratum level of soil. The Bearing Stratum is the level of Earth in which rock is located and has been deemed the most suitable level in which to support a load. In this animation, the precipitation causes the water table to rise. Once the table rises enough to reach the Bearing Stratum soil, the soil is then saturated. After the soil dries out, it then collapses causing the foundation of the home to shift.

A helical pier is composed of a galvanized steel piles with helical plate on each lead section, seven-foot extension piles (to reach Bearing Stratum depth), and a bracket that is installed under the footer to lift the structure.

Upon arrival, the crews locate and begin excavating or hand digging holes at each effected point, to start the installation of the helical pier system. This allows access to the footer of the home. Once the footer is located, helical piers are drilled down until it reaches torque level sufficient to bear the weight of the structure down into the bearing stratum.

Once the piers are driven in, the foundation repair bracket is installed. Hydraulic jacks are used to lift structure simultaneously. The weight of the structure is then transferred to the piers that remain permanently in place. Depending on the size of the footer and the weight of the structure, piers are generally placed 5-7 feet apart to meet engineering standards. All areas that have settled must be stabilized. An attempt to lift the structure without proper placement of piers may cause additional damage to the homes foundation.