What's the difference between helical piers and helical piles?

When it comes to foundation repair products a lot of very similar sounding names get thrown around: helical piers, helical piles, screw piers, helical anchors, screw anchors. So the question becomes, what is the difference between them?

The answer: Not much, but with an asterisk.

There was likely a time when the terms pile and pier had distinct meanings in the foundation repair industry. Perhaps back when the favored foundation repair methods involved pouring columns of concrete or stacking bricks. These days, however, which term is used seems to vary more by region or personal preference than by any kind of difference in the foundation repair products or the installation method.

But because terms like helical pier and helical pile get used interchangeably, they also have lost some specificity. That is where the asterisk comes in. If you are looking for a contractor to install helical piles, make sure what they mean when they use the term helical piles fits your understanding of the word.

The difference between Helical Piers and Piles Graphic

What is a Helical Pier/Pile

Helical piers (or helical piles, or screw piles, etc.) in general have two parts, not including the bracket or other means of attaching them to the foundation. Those are the post and the plate. The post, or rod, is the part of the helical pier that makes it a pier. It is a long rod, usually made of steel. If the soil requires, multiple sections of rod can be coupled together to create the pier. This allows it to be screwed deeper into the soil if that is what it takes to find a load-bearing stratum.

The second piece is the plate, which is what makes it helical. One or more helical plates are attached to the rod, giving it the look of a giant screw. These plates not only allow the pier to be screwed into the ground, they also usually allow the piers to find a strong enough layer of soil at a shallower depth than pure end-bearing piers.

Terms to Watch for When Seeking a Helical Pier/Helical Pile Installer

So using the term helical pile or helical pier won't tell you much about a foundation repair company. However, you should watch out for certain terms.

First, if you are looking to have helical piers installed, make sure that the word helical — or a synonym like screw — is included. Not all piles or piers in foundation repair are helical. Some, such as steel push piers, provide a suitable alternative based on things such as soil composition and bedrock depth. However "pier" and "pile" can cover a whole lot of foundation repair methods of varying strength, effectiveness and lifespan.

Next, make sure the material used is strong enough. Generally this isn't an issue with helical piers/piles. Most, although perhaps not all, are going to be made of steel. Still, it is best to check they aren't using a cheap alternative that is going to end up costing you more in the long run.

Finally, if you see the term "anchor" in place of pier or pile, read further. While some use helical anchor or screw anchor to mean the same thing as helical pier, others reserve it for one of several other uses. Some only use it for wall support products such as helical tiebacks. For others, it refers to shorter piers that aren't ideal for deep foundation applications. Still others use it to indicate a type of pier used in new construction. Chances are, you will be fine, but it doesn't hurt to check or ask.