Not every foundation settlement problem requires stabilization. There are several factors to consider before proceeding with foundation stabilization and lifting. The magnitude of movement, the distress being caused to the building, the age of the building, the cost of stabilizing the foundations, the destruction to the yard, and destruction to other structures adjacent to the area to be stabilized.

Foundation stabilization and lifting is typically done by one of two methods. The first is to hydraulically push a steel pile into the ground using the weight of the building as a reaction force. The second utilizes a steel shaft with one or more “threads” or helical shaped steel plates at the beginning of the anchor which allow the steel shaft to be turned or screwed into the ground. This anchor relies on the “threads” bearing on stable and adequate soils to support the building loads. Both methods of foundation stabilization and lifting are commonly referred to as piering.

It has been our experience that helical or screw type piers are effective only when the pier can be driven straight into the ground, for example to support a new basement floor constructed as a steel reinforced concrete slab or a new building which is starting with open ground and new foundations. Unfortunately, because of the equipment required to install a helical or screw type pier, it is very difficult to drive the pier straight into the ground next to a foundation wall and the pier ends up going into the ground at an angle. This condition leads to a bending stress being induced into the pier shaft which can lead to failure.

Push or hydraulically driven piers can be driven straight into the ground very close to the foundation wall and are therefore more effective at supporting the foundation wall and the building loads on them. Also the capacities of push type piers can far exceed that of helical or screw type piers.

We designed and developed our own push pier system which we manufacture. The technology used in our design can be varied to increase pier capacities to fit almost any application, including heavy multi story commercial buildings.

You may require an engineering consultation if you are not sure that your home or building has a foundation settlement problem which requires repair. A Structural Engineering investigation of your home or building to determine if foundation stabilization is required typically costs $350 to $450. Providing a written estimate for stabilizing the foundations is included, assuming the building is not a complicated structure or the settlement problem is not extensive. The estimate includes calculating the building loads down to the foundation walls and making sure that the foundation walls have the capacity to carry the building loads from pier to pier. Our objective is to minimize the number of piers required to support the building loads without causing a failure of the foundation wall. A written engineering report may also be required if you are buying or selling the home and that is typically an additional $200 to $250.

If you own your home and know that you have a foundation problem which requires repair we can, in most situations, provide an estimate for doing repair work free of charge.