Helical Foundation Piers

This pier type is manufactured with a tip that is similar to a giant screw and is literally screwed into the ground. Special equipment is required for installation and the cost per pier is fairly high.

This pier is the fastest of all piers to install. It also has the least impact on the immediate area where it is installed.

It is in some ways similar to Pressed Steel Piers, yet it has some important differences. It uses a bracket that reaches under the foundation like the Steel Pier. It is corrosive because it is also steel and it too installs very quickly..

It usually cannot reach the depth of pressed steel piers. In many markets, it also appears to be more costly than either pressed concrete or pressed steel piers.

This pier type depends solely on the diameter of the large screw tip to support the weight placed upon it. If the soil in the area of the screw tip is not stable these types of piers could be prone to failure.

These piers are manufactured with options for multiple screw segments for use in many many different applications. Including use as tie downs.

Another use of helical piers is to hold basement walls in place. A hole is cut through the basement wall and a helical anchor is screwed through the basement wall into the soil outside and used to pull the wall back into place. Instead of supporting the weight sitting on top of it, it is supporting the weight pulling against it.

Pros

• Very quick to install
• Minimal impact on surrounding area

Cons

• Expensive
• Not installed directly beneath foundation
• Subject to corrosion