Foundation repair
A homeowner's guide to push piers
Poly-Lift · Published · Updated
Push piers are structural steel piers pushed deep into the ground, even down to bedrock, to stabilize a foundation. They are a far more affordable and less invasive fix than replacing a foundation, and they stop settling in its tracks when the problem is caught early.
Your home's foundation is one of its most important structural elements, and one of the hardest to repair. According to the US Government Accountability Office, one in four homes has foundation issues, and left unresolved they can knock up to 25 percent off a home's value. Push piers are a proven solution.
Most foundation trouble comes down to moisture in the soil below. Too-wet ground swells, sinks, or erodes the foundation, while too-dry ground shrinks and shifts it. Either way you get cracks, movement, and slanting, and because the foundation is deep underground it is difficult to reach. That is where push piers come in.
What are push piers?
Push piers are structural steel piers driven deep into the ground to add stability, reaching down to bedrock. The weight of the home above and the solid ground below hold them in place regardless of how the surrounding soil shifts. They help with:
- Settling from mudslides, droughts, or floods
- Broken footings at the base of the foundation
- Slanted or uneven foundations
- Cracks in the paneling, drywall, plaster, or concrete floor
Installing them is straightforward: expose part of the foundation, secure a bracket to the footing, push the pier down through a drive stand until it hits a solid surface, then attach it securely to the bracket. It is far cheaper than replacing a foundation, does not disturb the landscape, and goes in quickly.
How push piers differ from other options
Polyurethane foam is injected under the foundation, but only for a sinking foundation that needs a slight lift; it cannot fix major structural problems.
Helical piles are the other common option. They work like push piers but are shaped as giant screws that drill in at an angle, and they can be placed before a foundation is even laid. Push piers use hydraulic pressure and carry heavier loads, so they are preferred for larger, multi-level homes. The two can also be used together for extra stability.
Does my home need push piers?
If your foundation is sinking, the walls are sagging, or you are seeing small cracks, your home may need stabilization, and push piers can help when the damage is not too severe. The right next step is to consult a trustworthy foundation expert. If your Logan, UT home has foundation issues, call Poly-Lift for a free estimate.