Piers can trace their roots all the way back to 1720 in England, where they were invented. In the nineteenth century, lighthouses were supported by Helical Piers as well.
Helical anchors are essentially small shaft pipe piles with one or more helical bearing plates attached. Instead of being hydraulically vibrated into the ground, like a pipe pile, they are gently rotated into the ground using a high-torque hydraulic drive head. They can support most structures, including industrial, commercial, or residential. The installation stages involve careful planning, soil analysis, and precise torque application, making them suitable for various applications in residential and commercial construction.
Screw piles, helical piers, and helical piles are synonyms for the same type of foundation solution. They were coined screw piles because of the way they turn and bore into the earth.
PierTech™ recommends using square shafts in tension situations because it has a greater yield, tensile strength, and higher torque capacity. Round shaft should be used in compression situations because it has a far superior lateral stability (the strength to resist twisting and deflection), as well as it has greater load capacities.
Helical Piles can be used on most structures in new construction or repair, and in 80-90% of soil conditions that exist. However, they are typically used in complex soil conditions or limited access situations that have prohibited the use of other traditional foundation systems. Helical piers work by stabilizing structures in unstable soil conditions and transferring the load to more stable soil or bedrock.
Piers are superior to other methods in many ways. Hand-dug and drilled concrete piers can do an adequate job. However, they are extremely time-consuming, messy, expensive, and labor-intensive. Concrete piers are also susceptible to weather-related problems such as frost heave and water damage. Driven Piles can be effective, but limited access and sensitivity of existing buildings make their use difficult for an installer. Helical piering is cost-effective, requires little to no concrete, can be performed in limited access situations, and is virtually vibration free.
Many factors determine the life expectancy. Though Helical Piers can be galvanized to prevent rusting, the varying soil conditions can affect life expectancy. It is the general estimation that piers last over 150 years in normal soil conditions.
Depending on the job our Hercules™ Pile can hold more than 500 tons or 1,000,000 pounds. Foundation piers use different types of brackets to attach to the building, ensuring a secure connection. The load bearing capacity is determined during installation using torque measurements.
Most of the time, the house will not be damaged by the installation. In fact, you may find doors starting to work correctly, and some cracks may close.
Helical Piers are used to underpin homes that are sinking, saving the home from additional structural damage. When used in combination with our Tru-Lift™ system, homes can be secured to prevent further settling or raised up to the proper height.
Yes, our products can be installed in tight spaces. Our portable equipment allows us to install when there are clearance issues, preventing heavier equipment from being used. Installing helical piers requires expertise and certification to ensure proper installation.
Most are installed between 10 to 25 feet below the soil but may be required to extend deeper if the required torque is not met. We have had some piles installed as deep as 100 feet.
We offer a 75-year limited warranty.
A general rule is that they should be spaced 3 to 4 diameters in the center. Typical Helical Pile spacing is 5 ft – 10 ft.
You may notice cracks in drywall, gaps between walls and ceiling, doors may be sticking, nails coming out of the drywall, windows may stick, cracked floors, or there may be gaps between walls and floors. These all may be an indication of foundation issues. Consulting with a structural engineer is crucial when considering helical piers for foundation repair.
The chances of this are slim to none if you are using a quality company that provides the proper service to get them installed correctly.
PierTech™ offers installation equipment that attaches to skid steers, mini and full-size excavators, and backhoes. PierTech™ even offers handheld installation equipment for limited access areas. The stages of helical pier installation include soil analysis, precise torque application, and professional oversight to ensure stability and compliance with local building codes.
To become an Installer you will need to attend one of our installer certification seminars. PierTech™ offers this training seminar for FREE and is available to attend once every month. Call us TODAY to reserve your spot at the next one! Learning to install helical piers professionally is essential for ensuring compliance with local building codes and standards.
We offer FREE Training that will help the installer learn the best methods for installing piers in their soil conditions. The PierTech™ training program teaches the science of torque ratio to load capacity and soil mechanics in a way that is both easy to learn and understand.
Superior Customer Service and Engineering Support. When you call PierTech™, you will always get a "Live Person". We always follow up and assist even during your most challenging projects. PierTech™ understands the importance of customer service and building lasting relationships.
PierTech™ does not oversaturate territories, we keep an extensive inventory of material and equipment for expedited delivery. We continue to innovate our products and equipment to make installation easier and more efficient.
Patented Products: the Tru-Lift™ bracket and Cross Bolt connection, made from high-quality American-made and manufactured Steel.
You can use our locate an installer option and fill out the form, or you can call us directly at (866) 536-5007.
PierTech™ has been manufacturing Helical Piers and Equipment for more than 15 years.
Standard inventory items are shipped immediately since we stock specific materials for faster delivery. If it is a specialty item, we generally ship in 2-3 weeks.
Our products and equipment are very cost-competitive (Sample prices and quotes are available upon request).
PierTech™ manufactures drive heads from 5,000-foot pounds of torque to 375,000-foot pounds of torque. We size equipment for your machines and projects and offer a full line of torque monitoring equipment, attachments, and tools.
PierTech™ manufactures 1 ½" and 1 ¾" Square shaft (Tension), 2 7/8' and 3 ½" (Compression) for residential and light commercial. We also offer 4 1/2" – 16" OD Hercules™ Piles for commercial and industrial applications, also for loads more than 500 tons.
We offer free training once a month in St. Louis, where we certify contractors to become PierTech™ Installers. Everything from the basics of installation, design, and marketing will be discussed, along with a live demonstration.
Helical piers provide deep support for both new and existing foundations in residential, commercial, and industrial structures. Their versatility and reliability make them ideal for stabilizing and protecting existing foundations from unstable or shifting soil, as well as for use in new construction projects.
Helical pier foundations are a type of deep foundation system that uses helical piers to provide support for structures. They work by transferring the load of the structure to more stable soil or bedrock through helically-shaped blades that act as screws. The benefits include quick installation, minimal disturbance to the site, and suitability for various soil conditions.
The cost of helical piers can range from $10 to $30 per linear foot, with installation costs varying based on the number of piers and soil conditions. Average cost ranges per pier and overall costs for residential foundation repair projects can also be provided.
The number of helical piers needed depends on the size and weight of the structure, the building components being supported, and the condition of the soil. Factors such as the length, size, and additional needs like concrete, brackets, or beam caps can also affect the cost.
Steel piers are advantageous in rocky soil conditions and need to extend down to bedrock for proper functionality. They are often compared to helical piers in terms of cost and application, with each having specific benefits depending on the project requirements.
