Whether you’re building a new home or business, or if you’re facing foundation problems with your structure, one option that many people are not familiar with are helical footings. Often falling in the purview of engineers and architects designing the structure, helical posts are used to secure the structure deep into the ground, providing strong levels of foundation security. But what is a helical pier? Are helical piers residential solutions for settling foundations or unstable soils? Let’s take a look at what they are and the benefits of using helical anchors on your project.

What is a Helical Pier?

Whether they’re referred to as helical piers, helical anchors, helical footings, helical posts, helical piles or ground screws, this type of foundation approach are all the same. They are long metal rods that look like a large auger or screw so that they can be worked down into the soil and remain locked into place year after year. The rods are drilled deeply into the earth and do a great job to reduce foundation settling which can otherwise weaken the structure, which tends to become a problem in over 43% of structures.

These helical posts can be used either in new construction to create a solid base for the structure, or they can be used in existing structures to lift foundations back to where they should be. They are a cost-effective solution, intended to last a lifetime and provide solid results year after year. When it comes to helical piers residential structures deliver amazing results, keeping your home level, straight and strong for many years to come.

What are the Benefits of Helical Piers?

Helical posts provide you with a permanent solution to your foundation issues, keeping your home steady and stable. If your home doesn’t have a solution already in place to prevent soil movement, even well-crafted homes can have settlement problems, such as doors and windows binding up, foundation walls cracking and bulging, slabs cracking, chimneys tilting and separating and similar concerns. Helical posts keep your home locked firmly in place against a wide range of environmental conditions.

Helical anchors are also a great option for fast-track construction. If you don’t want to have to wait for footers to come up to strength, consider building directly on top of the helical piers, which are ready to be built on as soon as they’re installed. This can speed up your construction process markedly by allowing you to immediately move from foundation work to laying the floors and walls.

They’re also a great option on delicate soils or where preserving the environment is vital to the project. Because there is minimal excavation required to install helical posts, there is very little damage to the soil surface and surrounding environment, making it much faster to recover than concrete pours. This is a great option for LEED certified structures.

Speaking of concrete, there’s no need to wait for warmer weather for installing helical footings, as they can be installed in almost any weather. Unlike concrete, which can have issues with overall strength and setting up if it freezes, helical footings are simply drilled into the ground with no set time required, allowing for all-weather installation.

When it comes to poor or weak soils, helical piers provide options for residential construction on lots where the soil conditions would otherwise make it difficult to impossible. This reduces the overall expense of the project as compared to extensive earthmoving and foundation work that may otherwise be required, while making it easier to use otherwise marginal land for residential or commercial use.

By understanding how residential use of helical piers can provide you with strong benefits and a stable foundation, you can start out your home on solid ground with helical footings or make repairs to a sinking foundation with helical posts to stabilize your home’s situation. If you’re ready to look at how helical anchors can help your home stabilize, the experienced professionals at Moisture Loc are ready to help. 

Please reach out today with any questions, for more information about helical piers residential applications or to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced foundation professionals.