Push & Helical Piers
Leveling your home is crucial to keeping you and your family safe as well as your property from further damage and issues. Proper home leveling not only enhances the quality and safety of your living spaces but addressing these issues early can prevent costly repairs down the line.
If your floors are severely sloped, windows are sticking, or there are cracks in your walls or ceiling, it's essential to have them inspected by a licensed foundation contractor. Common causes include drainage issues, which can lead to foundation damage if not corrected, or earthquake tremors that weaken the foundation. In such cases, a seismic retrofit may be necessary to strengthen and protect your home.
What causes a foundation to settle?
Poor Drainage of rainwater away from the home
Plumbing leaks that can disrupt the strength of the soils under your home
Tree roots can pull moisture out of the soil affecting which can cause settling
Evaporation from windy, hot and dry weather can pull moisture away from your foundation
Signs of foundation failure
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INTERIOR
• Cracks in drywall
• Sticking doors and windows
• Misaligned doors and windows
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EXTERIOR
Cracks in brickwork
Gaps around doors or windows
Fascia board separation
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BASEMENT
• Foundation leakage
• Wall cracks
• Leaning walls
The Solutions: Push Piers and Helical Piles
Helical and push piers are both effective solutions for foundation leveling. The choice between them depends on the specific conditions of your structure. But no need to worry about selecting the right option—we'll determine the best solution during your FREE estimate.
Both solutions are are less invasive, faster, and ensure uniform lifting.
Push Piers:
Foundation Stabilization: Ideal for supporting and lifting settling or sinking foundations back to their original position.
Heavy Load Support: Effective for stabilizing heavy structures due to their high capacity for load-bearing.
Minimal Disruption: Installed with minimal excavation and disturbance to the property or surrounding landscape.
Permanent Solution: Provides long-term stability for compromised foundations when properly installed.
Deep Soil Penetration: Reach stable, load-bearing soil or bedrock far below the surface, bypassing weak or shifting upper layers.
Versatile Installation: Suitable for both residential and commercial structures experiencing foundation issues.
Cost-Effective: Efficient installation process reduces labor and material costs compared to other foundation repair methods.
Environmentally Friendly: Minimal material waste and reduced impact on landscaping.
Effective in Varied Soil Conditions: Performs well in areas with expansive clay, poor soil compaction, or shifting conditions.
Precise Monitoring: Hydraulic-driven installation allows for careful monitoring of force and pressure to ensure proper alignment and stabilization.
Installation of Push Piers
Small excavations (usually about 3 feet square) to expose the building’s footing at each point where a pier will be installed.
The footing will need to be prepared so there is a stable place to install the bracket for the pier.
Attach the bracket to the building’s footing.
Sink the push pier into the ground until it reaches bedrock or a load-bearing soil strata.
Increase the force on the pier to more than the amount needed to handle the weight of the house. This ensures that each pier is ready to withstand the force when the building load is transferred onto them. All data is recorded.
Hydraulic lifting equipment is placed onto the pier and connected to hydraulic pumps. The load is then gently transferred onto the piering system. Then, the hydraulics are used to raise the foundation back to level.
Once the building is level and as close to the original elevation as possible, the hydraulics are removed, and the final work on the piers is completed.
Fill in the excavations and compact the soil, leaving the work site clean for the building’s owners.
Helical Piles:
Foundation Support: Ideal for new construction and repairing existing foundations by providing stable and secure support.
Quick Installation: Installed rapidly with minimal site preparation and no need for curing time.
Effective in Weak Soils: Perform well in areas with poor soil conditions, including loose or expansive soils.
Minimal Disturbance: Low-impact installation process minimizes site disruption and is suitable for confined spaces.
Immediate Load Carrying: Ready to bear loads immediately after installation, expediting project timelines.
Vertical and Angled: Helical piles can be installed at an angle.
Weather: Can be installed during most weather types.
Light and Heavy Structures: Good for heavy structures but and also good for lighter structures like patios or decks.
Installation of Helical Piles
Here is a basic overview of the steps that you take during the installation of ECP helical piles
Small excavations (usually about 3 feet square) are dug at the foundation to allow access for each pier.
The foundation footing is notched to place a pier bracket under the building’s stem wall.
A utility bracket is secured to the footing using anchor bolts.
Using a hydraulic motor, the helical pier is pushed into the soil.
Helical pier installation continues until the desired torque is reached in load-bearing soil.
Once all piers have been installed and load tested, lifting head assemblies and hydraulic lifting rams are placed on the piers and connected to hydraulic pumps.
The building’s load is then transferred from the failing soil under the foundation to the pier system. The structure is gently and evenly lifted to as close to its original elevation as it will allow.
The soil that was excavated at each pier placement site is replaced and compacted, leaving the area neat and clean.