| This day and age homeowners have many choices | | | | problem that requires a large lift. No other system is |
| when faced with a structural foundation problem. The | | | | as suited for these large lifts. Due to the fact that |
| choices include helical piles, push piers, helical tie-back | | | | these resistance piers are an end bearing pier, thus |
| anchors and plate anchors. Each one of these | | | | developing their support from solid contact on a load |
| solutions should only be implemented under the | | | | bearing stratum. Continuous lift type steel piers are |
| supervision of a qualified engineer and foundation | | | | the best of the steel resistance piers due to the fact |
| repair contractor. Foundation repair is not a | | | | that they can support and lift a structure to unlimited |
| do-it-yourself home improvement project. Intimate | | | | heights. |
| knowledge of structures, soils and available products | | | | Helical piers are an ideal choice when you are |
| are necessary requirements before repair design can | | | | supporting or lifting a light structure. They are the |
| be implemented. | | | | ideal choice for light structures due to the fact that |
| Homeowners must educate themselves to keep | | | | they do not need the structures weight to advance |
| ignorant or slick talking salespeople from selling them | | | | into the soil. Helical anchors are screwed in the soil |
| a bill of goods. Many times the salesman does not | | | | with a hydraulic torque motor as opposed to be |
| represent all of the products that your structure may | | | | pressed into the soil like steel push piers. Like the |
| need to completely solve your foundation repair | | | | resistance piers you should only lift the structure with |
| needs. If he only does waterproofing he will, at best, | | | | a manifolded hydraulic system using single or double |
| only slow down or prevent further problems. If he is | | | | acting hydraulic cylinders. |
| only a pier guy, he may not have the knowledge of | | | | Helical piers consist of a shaft fabricated from either |
| what caused the problem (i.e. water). This is why | | | | solid square steel bar or tubular steel. Welded to the |
| contacting a qualified foundation engineer is a form of | | | | shaft are one or more helical plates. Typically the |
| checks and balances to allow for the best possible | | | | plate diameters increase from the bottom of the |
| solution. | | | | shaft upward and vary in thickness from 3/8" to |
| Foundation engineers will give you a written | | | | ½". The torque required to install the anchor |
| assessment of your structure including a | | | | correlates to their capacity. When used to support or |
| recommended procedure to solve your homes issues. | | | | lift light weight structures, helical piers are an |
| This evaluation is conducted on site and usually takes | | | | excellent choice, due to their many benefits. These |
| over an hour to complete. The written assessment | | | | benefits include the ability to be quickly installed with |
| involves an examination of the interior and exterior | | | | little or no disturbance to the site and soil removal is |
| of the home, interior floor elevations, load calculations | | | | unnecessary, they don't require a reaction force and |
| and recommendations on repair methods. The written | | | | are extremely versatile in their applications. |
| report should include an imprint of his seal with the | | | | While steel resistance piers and helical torque anchors |
| date and signature across the seal. Many times the | | | | are excellent choices for supporting sinking foundation |
| engineer will recommend a foundation repair specialist, | | | | elements, helical tie-back anchors and plate anchors |
| that he has worked with before, in his report. | | | | are just as able to support or straighten concrete or |
| You first must understand what different foundation | | | | block walls. When a basement wall or retaining wall |
| repair methods can and cannot do to determine if | | | | bows inward one must resist this inward movement |
| they are the correct method of repair for your | | | | to maintain the integrity of the structure. If such a |
| home. There is no such thing as one size fits all in | | | | system is not installed catastrophic consequences are |
| foundation repair. Each has their place and their | | | | forthcoming. |
| benefits, so make sure that the tool that you pick is | | | | Tie-back anchors and plate anchors resist the lateral |
| the correct one for your job. | | | | soil and water forces exerted on basement and |
| Resistance piers, also known as push piers, steel piers | | | | retaining walls. While both systems have different |
| and Micropiles. This type of pier is an end-bearing pier | | | | advantages they both provide the same function. |
| that does not rely upon, nor requires, skin friction to | | | | They use the surrounding stable soils to resist the |
| produce support. Each pier is field load tested after it | | | | pressures of unstable consolidating soils near the |
| is installed. The piers are able to develop a factor of | | | | foundation. |
| safety because the piers are installed and load tested | | | | While one or more of these systems my be needed |
| individually using the weight of the structure as the | | | | to fix your foundation problem, understanding each |
| reaction force. Unlimited lifting capability is offered in | | | | method is the key to determining the solution that |
| continuous lift systems. These lifts should only be | | | | best fits your situation. The hiring of a foundation |
| performed with a manifolded hydraulic system using | | | | engineer is the most effective method of making this |
| single or double acting hydraulic cylinders. | | | | determination. |
| Steel push piers are best suited to any structural | | | | |