Helical Piers
If you've noticed doors and windows that stick or floors that are starting to slope, you definitely have the tell-tale signs that your foundation is settling, and it's not something to ignore. Dry Otter Waterproofing installs durable helical piers to stabilize your home.
What are helical piers?
Helical piers, also known as helical piles, screw piles, or screw anchors, are steel foundation supports with helical (spiral-shaped) plates that are mechanically screwed into the ground to reach stable, load-bearing soil. They are used to stabilize or lift settling foundations by transferring the weight of a structure away from weak or shifting surface soils to deeper, more reliable layers below.
How do helical piers fix a sinking foundation?
Helical piers fix a sinking foundation by transferring the weight of your home from weak or shifting surface soil down to deeper, stable soil that can actually support it. They are screwed into the ground until they reach that load-bearing layer, then attached to the foundation. This stops the settling immediately, because the home is no longer relying on the unstable soil near the surface. In many cases, the system can also lift portions of the home back toward their original position, reducing cracks and restoring alignment. Instead of trying to improve the soil, helical piers bypass the problem entirely and give your home a solid, reliable support system.
When are helical piers needed?
Helical piers are needed when part of a home is settling because the soil beneath it can no longer provide reliable support. This is typically the case when you’re seeing ongoing movement, like widening cracks, sloping floors, or doors and windows that keep getting harder to open. They’re also used when settling is uneven, such as one side or corner of the home dropping more than the rest, or when previous cosmetic repairs haven’t held. In situations where the underlying issue is weak or shifting soil, helical piers are the right solution because they don’t rely on that unstable ground, they transfer the load to deeper, stable layers that can properly support the structure.
The installation process...
The installation process for helical piers is straightforward and designed to minimize disruption while delivering a long-term fix. First, a plan is created based on where the home is settling and how much support is needed. Then, steel piers are mechanically screwed into the ground at those key locations until they reach stable, load-bearing soil. Once properly installed, brackets are attached to the foundation, and the weight of the home is transferred onto the piers. In many cases, controlled lifting is performed to bring the structure back toward level. After everything is secured, the system is finalized and the area is cleaned up, leaving you with a stabilized foundation and a clear understanding of what was done and why.
Why not just the patch the cracks?
Patching cracks might make things look better for a while, but it doesn’t fix what’s causing them. Cracks form because the foundation is moving, and if that movement isn’t addressed, they will almost always come back, often worse than before. Cosmetic repairs only cover the symptom, not the structural issue underneath. To truly fix the problem, you have to stabilize the foundation itself so it stops shifting. Once the movement is addressed, repairs like crack sealing or cosmetic fixes actually hold, because the home is no longer continuing to settle.
What happens if you wait?
Waiting usually allows the problem to progress. What starts as small cracks or minor sticking doors can turn into more noticeable structural movement as the foundation continues to settle. Over time, cracks widen, floors become more uneven, and additional areas of the home can be affected. As the movement spreads, repairs often become more involved and more expensive. Addressing the issue early helps limit the damage, keeps repair options simpler, and protects the overall stability of the home.
Causes of Foundation Settling
Soil Issues
Your foundation relies entirely on the soil underneath it. If that soil is weak, not properly compacted, gets too wet, dries out, or even washes away, it can no longer support the weight of your home evenly. This is the most common reason foundations begin to settle.
Tree Roots and Vegetation
Large tree roots can raise areas of the foundation and create cracks, or even pull moisture out of the soil through their roots, and if this happens unevenly, lead one side of the home to sink more than the rest.
Why are helical piers a great solution?
Helical piers are great for a sinking foundation because they are supports that are screwed deep into the ground until they reach stable, load-bearing soil. Once installed, they transfer the weight of your home away from the weak or shifting surface soil and onto stronger layers below. This not only stops the settlement from getting worse, but in many cases can also lift portions of the home back toward their original position. Instead of trying to fix the soil, helical piers bypass the problem entirely and give your home a solid, long-term foundation to rest on.
Schedule a Free Inspection
You don’t have to wonder if you have a problem with your foundation sinking. Get the peace of mind you need by scheduling a free crawl space inspection.
Dry Otter Waterproofing has been serving the greater Charlotte area since 2013. We have an outstanding reputation and the knowledge to repair your basement or crawl space so you don’t have to worry about water damage.
Secure your home’s foundation today!
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Our process includes the following inspections:
Crawl Space Inspection:
- Moisture and Water Damage
- Mold and Fungus
- Insulation Condition
- Vapor Barrier
- Structural Issues
- High Humidity
- Condensation on Ducts
Basement Inspection:
- Water Intrusion
- Cracks and Wall Leaks
- Foundation Integrity
- Sump Pump Operation
- Mold and Mildew
- Basement Floor Cracks
- Hydrostatic Pressure
Our expert will personally visit your home and examine the issues you are having with your basement or crawl space foundation.
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