Helical piers are currently the industry standard for high-quality foundation restoration because they are so good at preventing foundation settlement and foundation heave. These two ailments may be directly related to expansive soil. Helical piers differ from push piers and other steel systems in that the bottom of the galvanized pipe has welded helices, or circular portions resembling a staircase or corkscrew.
These helicals secure the piers to the structure to which they are being fastened. Imagine your house resting on bedrock or soil-bearing stilts that are buried under the ground. These helical piers guarantee that your house won’t rise or fall, if professionally and appropriately installed.
The Inspection
Every foundation repair project begins with an examination. Leaning chimneys, slanted floors, drywall cracks, and sticky doors and windows are indicators of foundation collapse that a competent specialist can identify and diagnose. A comprehensive examination thoroughly analyzes the foundation, whether slab-on-grade, post-tensioned, or elevated, as well as the inside and outside of the house.
A complete set of floor elevation measurements reveals any slopes or differences in elevation inside the home’s construction (a clear, indicative sign of foundation failure). The foundation is settling, and foundation heave is not always consistent and universal. Sometimes, only a certain area of the building will need maintenance.
Because families are often living in the homes during the repair process, and the building isn’t naturally heavy enough to force down push piers, helical piers are frequently used.
Helical Pier Prep Work
The foundation must be prepared before the Helical Piers can be hydraulically driven into the ground to reach load-bearing soil at the capacity that is needed. Helical piers can be used with a variety of foundation types, including:
- Slab on grade
- Post-tensioned slab
- Raised Foundations
- Cripple Wall
- Post-and-Pier
- And more
To access the foundation’s footing, 3×3 foot trenches are made (typically 18 to 24 inches deep) at the defined sites. Sometimes, access must be made by removing and replacing concrete.
Helical Pier Installation
In contrast to Push Piers, Helical Piers are screwed into the soil rather than shoved into it. Push piers are like nails, while helical piers are like screws, which is the simplest way to recall the distinctions. Screws are used to secure the Helical Piers to sturdy, load-bearing soil. Extreme torque is applied to helical piers by a torque motor that is pinned to a torque bar.
The torque is the force necessary to rotate the helix into the earth. It seems sensible that greater torque is needed in thicker soil than in less dense soil. We can compute torque to achieve the appropriate loading value once the house load has been taken into account and we know how much helical material will be used.
The driving head is restrained from rotating on the helical pile by a torque bar. The torque bar is safely placed around 5 to 6 feet away and linked to the drive head. The torque bar will attempt to destroy anything in its path if it is not fastened to a fixed object. Once competent, load-bearing soil is reached, the helical piers are pushed into the ground and joined by extensions.
Lift /Stabilization
The lifting procedure may start after all of the helical piers have been securely placed at each location. Maximal practical recovery is the aim of all foundation repair experts. The amount of lift that may be safely accomplished without endangering the home’s structural (and occasionally aesthetic) integrity is known as the Maximum Practical Recovery. Home lifting might take two to three hours. Due to structural and aesthetic issues, not all homes can be raised; properties with helical piers are then termed stabilized because they won’t sink anymore.
Final Walkthrough
A final walkthrough happens after the structure’s lift and stabilization process has been completed. This tour includes a glance at the previously impacted locations, paying close attention to:
- Previous stucco cracks
- Previous drywall cracks
- Previously sloped floors
- Chimneys (chimneys often have their mini foundation)
In addition to using other prominent visual indicators, the floor elevations are measured once again and compared to those from the original foundation examination.
Pierman Foundation is Here to Help
Homeowners may find such tasks perplexing or daunting, particularly when unsure where to begin. Our goal is to thoroughly explain our Foundation Repair services so you may decide on your home renovation investment with confidence. The work is not complete until we have informed you of the damage’s origin, pertinent repair options, and the step-by-step procedure for enhancing your property’s integrity. When you see any foundation repair symptoms in or around your house, choose to be proactive and give Pierman’s local professionals a call at (580) 453-0330.
