Helical Piers: What are They and How Can They Help your Home?

There is never a shortage of things to consider when it comes to the health of your home. And one of the most crucial things to take care of is the foundation. After all, if the structure your house sits on isn’t sound, it can cause huge, costly problems down the road.

However, for the everyday homeowner, it’s tough to know just how well-off your foundation is. So if you’re in a predicament, a professional contractor can help you know exactly what’s going on beneath your house. If it turns out you need foundation repair, helical piers may be a smart solution due to their ease of installation, minimal invasiveness and relative affordability to other solutions.

But what are helical piers and how can they help your home? Here’s a short guide to help you through the foundation repair process. Let’s get started!

What are Helical Piers?

Foundation settlement and cracking can lead to major structural problems for your home, so fixing these issues is of utmost importance to its health and value.

Helical piers, also known as anchors or piles, are foundation pins made of steel that contain helices resembling a large screw. Foundation repair specialists drive these piers into foundation and soil of your home, below the frost line, to secure new or repair existing foundations that have problems such as cracks or are weak. Because of their general ease of installation, they are most commonly used whenever soil conditions prevent standard foundation fixes, providing homeowners with a perfectly leveled structure.

How do Helical Piers Work?

Helical piers are wound into the ground, much like a screw is wound into wood. With helical bearing plates welded to a central steel shaft, piers offer an extendable, deep foundation system that levels a structure. The load is transferred from the shaft to the soil through these bearing plates. Once the pile has reached the target depth it remains permanently in place and is typically filled with concrete to provide support.

How Much Should I Expect to Spend on Helical Pier Installation?

While every situation is unique, helical pier foundation repair is affordable if you know how to hire the right contractor. You want a partner that will get the work done professionally, with a strong focus on quality and longevity of installation and products.

With that being said, major foundation repairs involving hydraulic piers can cost $10,000 or more, while minor cracks can cost as low as $500. According to HomeAdvisor, most homeowners pay an average of around $4,000 to repair foundation issues.

The Helical Piers Installation Process

Screwed into the earth using a rotating hydraulic head, helical piers are installed to a minimum depth (or rock) and a minimum rotational torque. The load factor of each pier depends on the size of the pier, along with the number of helices it contains. The underlying soil conditions including type, density, and strata below also play a factor in determining the load.

Installing helical piers offers one of the least invasive and most affordable methods to repair home foundations. The installation process is generally quick, with little to no damage to the structure or landscape around your house. Additionally, they can be installed during any season and are highly adaptable to any type of soil. And since they do not use the resistance of the foundation, the structure experiences little pressure or vibration during the installation process.

Have more questions about foundation repair services? Contact Treasured Spaces Today!

Do you have more questions? The team at Treasured Spaces is standing by, ready to help you with our comprehensive helical pier services.

We’re Committed to Your Satisfaction

When you hire Treasured Spaces, you are choosing a team of foundation repair experts that are committed to your satisfaction. We put focus on improving the long-term value of your home, helping you maximize your budget while helping you through each step of our process. It can be tough to narrow down your choice in searching for a trusted home contractor, but we want to make it easier on you. With more than a decade of experience, our team acts as a partner throughout your project. Find out what makes Treasured Spaces unique — get in touch today!