Trusted Helical Pier Installation in AL & TN | The Crack Guys
Is your home’s foundation settling, sinking, or shifting? Are you noticing cracks in your walls, doors that won’t close properly, or floors that feel uneven? These are classic warning signs of foundation settlement — and helical pier installation is one of the most effective permanent solutions available for homeowners across Alabama and Tennessee.
At The Crack Guys, we install helical piers to stabilize settling foundations and restore your home’s structural integrity from the ground up. Our specialists diagnose foundation problems every day across our five locations in Alabama and Tennessee — and we back every job with honest assessments, detailed proposals, and no-pressure estimates.
What Is Helical Pier Installation?
Helical pier installation is a foundation repair method that uses steel screw-like piers driven deep into the ground to transfer the weight of a settling structure to stable, load-bearing soil far beneath the surface. Each helical pier has one or more helical plates — similar to a giant screw — that anchor into stable soil or bedrock, providing a firm and permanent foundation support point.
Unlike surface-level repairs that only mask foundation problems, helical pier installation addresses the root cause of foundation settlement — unstable or shifting soil beneath your home — by anchoring your structure to soil that will not move.
What Causes Foundation Settlement?
Foundation settlement occurs when the soil beneath your home can no longer support its weight. Common causes in Alabama and Tennessee include:
Expansive Clay Soils — Alabama and Tennessee have significant clay soil content. Clay expands when wet and shrinks when dry — causing the soil beneath your foundation to shift seasonally and leading to settlement over time.
Poor Soil Compaction — If the soil beneath your foundation was not properly compacted during original construction, it will compress under the weight of the home over time.
Erosion and Washout — Water from heavy rain, poor drainage, or broken pipes can erode and wash away the soil supporting your foundation — creating voids that lead to sinking.
Tree Root Activity — Large tree roots near your foundation can extract moisture from soil, causing it to shrink and pull away from your foundation.
Drought Conditions — Extended dry periods cause moisture to leave the soil, shrinking it and removing support from your foundation.
Common signs that your foundation may be settling and needs helical pier installation include cracks in interior or exterior walls, stair-step cracks in brick or block, doors and windows that stick or no longer close properly, uneven or sloping floors, gaps between walls and ceilings, and visible tilting or sinking of the structure.
How Helical Pier Installation Works
The Crack Guys follow a proven, step-by-step helical pier installation process that permanently stabilizes your foundation with minimal disruption to your home or yard:
Step 1 — Foundation Inspection and Assessment Our foundation specialist performs a thorough inspection of your home — examining foundation walls, interior floors, exterior grade, and any visible cracking or movement. We document everything with photos and measurements so you understand exactly what is happening and why.
Step 2 — Excavation Technicians excavate small areas around the perimeter of your foundation at each pier location. Excavations extend down to the footer level — providing access for pier and bracket installation.
Step 3 — Bracket Installation A steel repair bracket is attached directly to your foundation footer at each pier location. This bracket is the connection point between your foundation and the helical pier below.
Step 4 — Helical Pier Installation Using hydraulic equipment, technicians screw each helical pier into the ground at the bracket location. The pier is driven down — through unstable surface soils — until it reaches stable load-bearing soil or bedrock deep beneath the surface. The depth required varies depending on your soil conditions and load requirements.
Step 5 — Load Transfer Once each pier reaches the required depth and load-bearing capacity, the weight of your foundation is transferred from the unstable soil to the helical piers below. This stops further settlement immediately.
Step 6 — Lifting and Leveling (When Possible) In many cases, once the load has been transferred to the piers, hydraulic jacks can be used to lift the settled portion of your foundation back toward its original position — closing cracks and re-leveling floors above.
Step 7 — Backfill and Cleanup Excavated areas are backfilled and compacted, and the work area is cleaned up. In most cases the disruption to your yard is minimal — small excavation areas that restore quickly.
Why Helical Piers Are the Right Solution
Helical pier installation is one of the most trusted and widely used foundation repair methods in the industry for good reason. Here is why The Crack Guys recommend helical piers for settling foundations:
Permanent Stabilization — Helical piers anchor your foundation to stable soil that will not shift, compress, or wash away. Once installed, your foundation is permanently supported.
Minimal Disruption — Unlike some foundation repair methods, helical pier installation requires only small excavation areas and can typically be completed in one to two days without disrupting your living space.
Immediate Results — Load transfer happens during installation. Settlement stops the same day your piers are installed.
Suitable for All Soil Types — Helical piers can be installed in virtually any soil condition — including wet, soft, or expansive clay soils common throughout Alabama and Tennessee.
Transferable Warranty — Our helical pier installations are backed by a warranty that can be transferred to a new owner if you sell your home — a significant advantage when it comes time to sell.
Year-Round Installation — Unlike some foundation repair methods, helical pier installation can be performed in any weather and at any time of year.
According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, foundation settlement is one of the most serious structural issues a home can face — and early intervention with a permanent solution like helical pier installation prevents far more extensive and expensive damage down the road.
Helical pier installation is often recommended alongside other foundation repair services. If you are also dealing with wall cracks we offer foundation crack repair to seal and stabilize damaged foundation walls. For homes with bowing or leaning walls our bowing wall repair service uses the Enforcer system to permanently stabilize walls under pressure.
Helical Pier Installation FAQs
How do I know if my foundation needs helical piers? Common signs include cracks in walls or ceilings, stair-step cracks in brick, doors and windows that stick, uneven or sloping floors, and visible sinking or tilting of your structure. If you notice any of these signs contact The Crack Guys for a free foundation inspection.
How long does helical pier installation take? Most helical pier installations are completed in one to two days depending on the number of piers required and site conditions.
How deep do helical piers go? Helical piers are driven until they reach stable load-bearing soil or bedrock. The depth varies by location and soil conditions — typically ranging from 10 to 30 feet or more in Alabama and Tennessee.
Will helical piers fix my foundation permanently? Yes. Helical pier installation transfers the weight of your foundation to stable soil deep beneath the surface — permanently stopping further settlement. The piers themselves are engineered to last for the life of your home.
Can my foundation be lifted back to level? In many cases yes. Once load is transferred to the piers, hydraulic equipment can be used to lift settled areas back toward their original position. The degree of lift possible depends on the severity of settlement and the condition of your foundation.
Will helical pier installation affect my landscaping? Excavation areas are small and targeted — typically 2 to 3 feet wide at each pier location. Most homeowners find that landscaping recovers quickly after backfill and cleanup.
How much does helical pier installation cost? The cost depends on the number of piers required, depth, and site conditions. The Crack Guys provide detailed itemized proposals based on actual measurements — so you always know exactly what you are paying for. Financing is available.
Stop Foundation Settlement for Good — Call The Crack Guys
Foundation settlement is not a problem that fixes itself. Every month you wait, settlement continues — cracks grow wider, floors sink further, and repair costs increase. The Crack Guys install permanent helical pier installation solutions across Alabama and Tennessee every day, and our team is ready to protect your home.
Call your nearest location or request a free foundation inspection online today. Our specialists will thoroughly assess your foundation, explain exactly what they find, and walk you through your options — no pressure, no guesswork, just honest answers from people who do this every day.
The Crack Guys — Good People. Great Results.
Madison, Alabama — (256) 202-5633 Anniston, Alabama — (205) 961-2456 Hartselle, Alabama — (256) 773-2002 Brentwood, Tennessee — (615) 392-2002 Clarksville, Tennessee — (615) 695-1888
