Foundation repair
Helical piles for foundation repair, explained
Poly-Lift ·
Helical piles are large, high-strength steel screws that secure a foundation into stable ground below. They are drilled deep into the earth to spread the weight of a structure, and they can be added to an existing home to correct a shifting or settling foundation.
A strong foundation is essential for any structure, but over time the land beneath a building changes. Dirt shifts, water erodes it, and the constant weight of the house can crack and warp the foundation. Foundation repair experts often reach for helical piles to fix it, so what are they?
Helical piles are essentially large screws made of high-strength steel that anchor a foundation into the ground below. They go by several names, including helical piers, helical anchors, screw piles, and screw anchors. The first was designed roughly 200 years ago for mooring ships, and they can be installed in almost any landscape, even frozen or earthquake-prone ground.
How do helical piles work?
When a structure sits on unstable ground, or where deep digging is not practical, helical piles add stability by screwing into the soil like a screw into a wall, with very little disturbance.
Each pile has a few parts. The lead section at the bottom is welded at an angle to cut into the ground and carry the load through its helical plates. Extensions bolt on above it to reach the required depth, and the termination at the top connects the pile to the foundation. Several piles work together to form the support system, usually in a grid pattern.
What are helical piles used for?
They are used where the soil cannot support the weight of the structure, whether from soft or oversaturated ground or instability from earthquakes. They work for homes and large buildings alike, and even for bridges, railroads, docks, and harbors.
How are helical piles installed?
Piles are usually installed before construction, but they can also be added to a finished home. Poly-Lift's process runs like this:
- Expose the foundation by removing the ground around the area
- Set the helical pile at a 30 degree angle and drill it into the ground
- Push the pile until it is vertical, adding extensions to drill deeper
- Attach a foundation bracket to secure it to the building
- Use hydraulics to pressurize the piles and lift the foundation
- Fasten the pipe to the bracket, then lower the foundation and finish
Does my home need helical piles?
In some cases they are the best option, especially when a foundation has started to shift, move, or slide, or needs leveling. Cracks along foundation or basement walls can signal instability worth patching first, then supporting with piles. The best way to know is to talk to a foundation repair expert. Poly-Lift has helped hundreds of property owners in the Logan, UT area, and we offer free estimates.