Foundation piers: steel, helical and concrete
Pier type is one of the biggest differences between foundation repair bids. Here's how the common options compare.
Piers transfer the weight of a settled section of foundation down past the clay that's shrinking and swelling, to soil or rock that's more stable. Different companies favor different systems, and bids for the same house can look nothing alike. Understanding the basics makes those bids easier to compare.
How do the main pier types differ?
| Steel push piers | Helical piers | Pressed concrete piers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How installed | Steel pipe sections hydraulically driven using the house's weight | Steel shaft with helix plates screwed into the ground | Precast concrete cylinders pressed down one on top of another |
| Depth | Driven until refusal on firm soil or rock | Turned until a target torque is reached | Pressed until resistance; usually shallower |
| Best suited to | Heavier structures with firm bearing at depth | Lighter structures, porches, new additions | Many residential slabs; common and economical |
| Points to ask about | Depth reached at each pier | Installation torque records | Depth, and whether segments are connected |
Steel push piers
Also called resistance piers. A bracket is attached to the footing, and pipe sections are driven down with a hydraulic ram, using the weight of the house as resistance. Because each pier is driven until it stops, the installer gets a reading of the force at each location. Ask for a record of the depth and pressure at each pier.
Helical piers
These look like giant screws. They're turned into the ground with a hydraulic drive head, and the torque needed to turn them is used to estimate capacity. They don't depend on the house's weight to install, which is why they're often used for lighter loads like porches and additions.
Pressed concrete piers
Short precast concrete cylinders are pressed into the ground one after another, then capped and shimmed under the beam. They're widely used on residential slabs in clay country. Ask how deep they typically reach on your soil and whether the segments are connected with a cable or rod.
Questions to ask about any pier plan
- Why this pier type for my house?
- How many piers, where, and how far apart?
- How deep did you install piers on similar houses nearby?
- Will I get a pier log showing depth and pressure or torque for each one?
- How are utility lines located before digging? (Piering means excavation, and OKIE811 should be called first.)
The contractor prices the job after measuring the house and working out why it's moving. We don't quote prices, and a figure given over the phone before anyone has taken floor elevations is a guess at best.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Which pier type is best?
There isn't one answer. The right choice depends on the house's weight, the soil profile and how deep firm bearing is. Ask each contractor to explain why they chose their system for your house.
What's a pier log?
A record of each pier's location, depth and installation pressure or torque. It's useful for warranty claims and for future buyers.
Related services
- Slab foundation repair
- Pier-and-beam foundation repair
- Foundation drainage and moisture control
- Foundation inspections and crack repair
More background: Lawton foundation repair guide.
Doors sticking, new cracks in the brick, or a floor that slopes?
Call and a local foundation contractor will come measure it and tell you what they find.