What Are Helical Piers? Your Foundation’s Best Friend

Written By Ted DrycePublished on 04/13/2022Updated on 02/20/2024

Helical piers typically don’t cross the minds of homeowners—until they’re urgently needed.

Once the ground beneath your feet (and your foundation) starts to shift, the importance of quick and effective repairs becomes paramount. Understanding what helical piers are, how they’re installed, and the benefits they offer can be a game-changer for stabilizing structures and mitigating future damage.

This article aims to demystify helical piers, providing essential knowledge for homeowners, and ensuring you’re well-equipped to make informed decisions when the stability of your foundation is at stake.

Helical Piers Explained

Helical piers are also known by a variety of other names, including helix anchors, helix piers, helical anchors, screw piles, and helical piles. It is worth noting that the terms “pier” and “anchor” are generally used to refer to helical piles loaded in axial compression and axial tension, respectively.

For both retrofit applications and new construction projects, contractors typically use brackets to attach the top of the helical piers to structures. What’s more, if need be, contractors may use extension shafts with additional helix flights to extend helical pier systems to competent weight-bearing soil and achieve the desired settlement.

Check out the video from our friends at Groundworks for an overview of how helical piers work.

How Do We Install Helical Piers?

Installing helical piers is a precise and methodical process that requires professional expertise to ensure the stability and safety of your foundation. Here’s how the installation typically unfolds:

Site Evaluation: A professional contractor assesses the ground conditions and the structure’s requirements to determine the appropriate depth and placement for the piers.
Marking the Location: Once the installation plan is established, the exact locations for the piers are marked based on the structural load needs and ground conditions.
Pier Installation: A hydraulic machine is used to screw the helical piers into the ground until they reach the predetermined depth or achieve the required torque, indicating they’ve hit stable soil.
Bracket Attachment: After the piers are anchored securely in the ground, specially designed brackets are attached to the base of the foundation. These brackets are what actually connect the piers to the structure.
Load Transfer: The weight of the structure is carefully transferred onto the helical piers, stabilizing the foundation and lifting it back to its original position if necessary.
Backfilling and Cleanup: The area around the installed piers is backfilled, and any disrupted landscape or surfaces are restored, leaving the site clean and orderly.
Inspection and Adjustment: Finally, the installation is inspected to ensure everything is correctly in place. Adjustments are made if necessary to ensure optimal stabilization and alignment.

This process, while technical, offers a non-invasive and effective solution to foundation problems, ensuring long-term stability for the structure.

What Are the Benefits of Helical Piers?

Helical piers offer several significant benefits when used in foundation repairs and construction, including:

Versatility: They can be installed in a wide range of soil types and conditions, making them suitable for many different types of construction projects, from residential homes to commercial buildings and industrial applications.
Speed of Installation: Helical piers can be installed quickly compared to traditional foundation methods, significantly reducing construction time and allowing for immediate load transfer upon installation.
Minimal Disturbance: The installation process is less invasive and produces minimal vibration and noise compared to other piling methods, preserving the surrounding landscape and structures.
Year-Round Installation: Unlike other foundation methods that can be delayed due to weather conditions, helical piers can be installed in almost any weather, allowing for greater flexibility in scheduling.
Load-Bearing Capacity: They provide immediate support with their unique design, which allows for the direct transfer of structural loads to stable soil layers, offering a reliable foundation solution.
Cost-Effective: By reducing the need for extensive excavation and soil removal, helical piers can offer a more cost-effective solution compared to traditional foundation methods.
Environmentally Friendly: The installation process is less disruptive to the site, reducing the carbon footprint and preserving the natural habitat around the construction area.
Long-Term Stability: Helical piers are resistant to shifting, expanding, and contracting soil conditions, providing a durable and long-lasting foundation solution.
Adjustability: If additional support is needed, more piers can be added, and they can also be adjusted to correct issues with settling or shifting foundations.
Proven Track Record: Helical piers have been used successfully for over a century, providing a time-tested solution for foundation stabilization and support.

These benefits make helical piers an attractive option for addressing foundation issues and supporting new constructions, ensuring stability, safety, and longevity of structures.

Secure Your Foundation with Alpha Foundations

Helical piers offer a versatile, efficient, and durable solution for a wide range of foundation issues, making them an invaluable tool in the construction and repair sectors.

For those facing foundation challenges, Alpha Foundations provides top-tier helical pier solutions tailored to meet your specific needs.

With our expertise and commitment to quality, Alpha stands out as the optimal choice for ensuring the stability and longevity of your structure.

Don’t let foundation problems undermine the safety and value of your property. Reach out to Alpha today to schedule a free inspection.

Our team of professionals is ready to assess your situation and recommend the best course of action, helping you secure your home or commercial property for years to come.

Schedule free inspection

Ted Dryce

SEO Content Specialist

Ted is an SEO Content Writer who has been with Groundworks since 2021. He’s covered home repair topics ranging from crawl space encapsulation to regional soil conditions. When he’s not working, Ted is performing improv comedy and working on his own creative projects.