Understanding Piering Products

Foundation Underpinning Products

Large device working on foundation repair

For homeowners, a sinking or settling foundation can be a frightening issue. If your foundation is settling, it could cause various problems to arise throughout the home. These problems include cracks in your floor, walls, or ceiling, bowing or leaning walls, uneven or sloped floors, sticking doors and windows, and more. These can be dangerous issues for you and your family. If you notice any of these common problems, contact a foundation repair contractor immediately to have the problem taken care of. My Foundation Repairs can help connect you to a professional foundation repair specialist in your area.

The most effective way to repair a sinking or settling foundation is with a process called underpinning. Underpinning is the use of a pier or anchor driven into the ground to stabilize the foundation. These piers minimize stress to keep your foundation sturdy and close any cracks that may have formed. There are a few different types of piers – each has certain advantages, and it is good to examine all of your options before deciding which is the best solution for you.

Piering Solutions for Settling Foundations

The first, most common type of pier is the steel push pier. These steel piers, also known as resistance piers or steel piles, are a great option for foundation problems that arise from poor soil compaction, soil shrinkage, erosion, or improper footer embedding. Unlike concrete piers, steel push piers are end-bearing piers and do not rely on skin friction to provide support. During the installation process, they are individually load tested to ensure safety. They are driven into the stable soil beneath your sinking foundation, and the weight of the structure is transferred onto the pier so that it can be lifted back to its original level.

The next type of pier is a helical pier. Helical piers work in much the same way as steel push piers. The main difference is that instead of merely being driven into the ground, helical piers are screwed in to provide even more support. Once they have been screwed into the stable soil under the layer of active, shifting soil beneath your foundation, the structure’s weight is transferred onto them and it is raised to its original position. Helical piers are reliable enough to support your home for a long time to come. They also have a high load-bearing capacity, making them the ideal choice to support your home. Helical piers can also be used in new construction instead of old-fashioned concrete piers; this will help protect your home against future foundation problems. Also, helical piers are easy and quick to install in any type of weather, meaning that they are an efficient choice for your foundation repair needs.

Other types of underpinning and piering products include slab piers, resistance piers, and micropiles, all of which work in a similar fashion to steel push piers and helical piers. ECP (Earth Contact Products) offers reliable piering products for any foundation repair situation. If you notice the symptoms of a sinking or settling foundation, do not hesitate – let My Foundation Repairs help you get in contact with a professional foundation repair contractor right away!