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Solution

Helical Pier Installation: Deep Foundation Support for Settling Homes

Helical piers can be installed any time of year, reach competent bearing soil quickly, and carry load the same day they go in.

Middle Tennessee Since 2009

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Helical piers are steel shafts with helical plates — like large screw threads — welded along the shaft at engineered intervals. The shaft is rotated into the ground using a hydraulic torque drive head, with the helical plates pulling the pier downward as they bite into undisturbed soil. Installation torque is continuously monitored and logged: when torque reaches the specified threshold, the plates have found soil with the bearing capacity required to support the foundation load assigned to that pier. A bracket is then installed between the pier shaft and the foundation footing, and hydraulic jacks are used to transfer the foundation load to the pier system and — in many cases — lift the structure back toward its original elevation. Helical piers are particularly well-suited to situations where load-bearing capacity must be confirmed at installation rather than estimated, and for sites where access is limited or soil conditions prevent advance prediction of depth.

How It Works

A hydraulic drive head attached to a compact excavator or skid steer rotates the helical pier shaft into the soil. As the shaft turns, the helical plates thread downward through successive soil layers, pulling the pier in at a controlled rate. Extension shafts are added until the pier reaches the target depth and torque readings confirm the required capacity has been achieved. A drive bracket is then bolted to the foundation footing and seated over the pier shaft. Synchronized hydraulic jacks at each pier location apply controlled lift force to the foundation, transferring the structural load from the unstable surface soil to the helical pier system. The jacks are locked at the target elevation, the system is secured, and the excavation pits are backfilled and graded.

Problems This Solves

"What I like about helical piers is that the installation tells you what you need to know before you commit to the load. You're not guessing at bearing depth — you're watching the torque tell you exactly when the pier is where it needs to be."

How It Works

What to expect from start to finish.

  1. Inspection and Pier Layout

    We assess foundation deflection, crack patterns, and load conditions. Pier locations are determined by the load each pier will carry, the length of the affected wall segment, and the minimum spacing required to achieve the target foundation elevation.

  2. Excavation at Each Pier Location

    A small pit is excavated at each pier location to expose the underside and face of the foundation footing, where the drive bracket will be mounted. Pits are typically 24 to 36 inches wide and extend to footing depth.

  3. Bracket Installation

    The drive bracket is secured to the foundation footing. The bracket transfers the hydraulic driving torque through the footing and later carries the foundation load in compression once the pier is in service.

  4. Pier Rotation and Extension

    The helical shaft is rotated into the soil through the bracket. Extension shafts are added as the pier advances. Torque is logged continuously. Advancement stops when the specified installation torque — corresponding to the required bearing capacity — is reached.

  5. Load Transfer and Lift

    Hydraulic jacks at each pier location are synchronized and pressurized simultaneously, lifting the foundation toward its target elevation. Lift is monitored at multiple reference points to ensure uniform movement across the foundation.

  6. Locking, Backfill, and Documentation

    Brackets are locked at the target elevation, jacks are removed, and excavation pits are backfilled and compacted. Torque logs, pier depths, and final foundation elevations are documented. Warranty terms are reviewed on-site.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How deep do helical piers go?

Depth is determined by where the required torque — corresponding to adequate bearing capacity — is reached, not by a predetermined number. In Middle Tennessee's clay soils, helical piers typically reach bearing between 15 and 35 feet, though shallower or deeper installations occur depending on site conditions.

How are helical piers different from push piers?

Helical piers use rotating helical plates to advance through soil to a torque-confirmed bearing depth. Push piers use the building's weight as the driving reaction force and are driven to refusal by hydraulic pressure. Helical piers can be installed at any load level — including lightly loaded structures — because they don't require the building's weight to drive them. Push piers are often more cost-effective on heavily loaded residential foundations.

Can helical piers be installed inside the basement?

Yes. Interior helical pier installation is possible when exterior access is restricted or the settlement is beneath an interior slab. The installation equipment is smaller for interior work, and the approach requires a different bracket configuration.

Will I need to leave my home during installation?

In most cases, no. Helical pier installation is an exterior repair. We work around the perimeter of the foundation, and normal household activity can continue indoors during the installation.