What Are Helical Piers?
Helical piers (also called screw piles or helical anchors) are steel shafts with helical bearing plates welded to them—similar to large screws. They're mechanically "screwed" into the ground using hydraulic torque motors until they reach stable soil or bedrock.
Unlike push piers that are driven by resistance against the structure's weight, helical piers can be installed with minimal surface disturbance and work in situations where push piers aren't ideal.
When to Use Helical Piers
Helical piers excel in specific situations where traditional methods fall short
New Construction & Additions
Helical piers are excellent for new construction where you need to install foundation support before the structure exists. They can be precisely engineered based on soil reports and structural loads. Commonly used for room additions, decks, and sunrooms.
Lighter Structures
Ideal for supporting porches, patios, detached garages, sheds, and other structures that don't generate enough weight to effectively drive push piers. The torque-installation method doesn't require heavy loads.
High Water Table Areas
In areas with high water tables or saturated soil conditions, helical piers perform well because installation doesn't require the same compression loads as push piers. They're anchored by the helical plates bearing against soil.
Tension Applications
Helical anchors can resist uplift and tension forces, making them useful for tieback walls, anchoring foundation walls, and preventing structures from lifting in expansive soil conditions.
Limited Access Areas
Helical pier installation equipment is often more compact than push pier equipment, allowing installation in tight spaces, crawlspaces, or areas with restricted access.
Helical Piers vs Push Piers
Understanding the differences helps choose the right solution for your project
Helical Piers
- Screwed into ground using torque
- Can be installed before structure exists
- Better for lighter loads
- Work well in high water table
- Can provide tension resistance
- Installation depth is measurable
- Less surface disturbance
- More expensive per pier
- Limited lift capacity
Push Piers
- Driven by structure's weight
- Require existing structure
- Better for heavy structures
- Work in most soil conditions
- Superior lift capacity
- Lower cost per pier
- Industry standard for existing homes
- Require adequate structure weight
- Can't be used for new construction
For most residential foundation repair on existing Texas homes, push piers are the preferred choice. Helical piers are selected for specific situations where their unique advantages are needed.
The Helical Pier Installation Process
- Site Assessment: Soil testing and engineering analysis determine pier specifications (helix size, shaft diameter, depth requirements).
- Excavation: Small access holes are excavated at pier locations to expose the foundation or establish new footing areas.
- Pier Installation: Helical pier sections are screwed into ground using hydraulic torque motors. Torque is measured to verify bearing capacity.
- Extension Installation: Additional shaft sections are added and screwed deeper until required depth and torque are achieved.
- Bracket Attachment: Foundation brackets are attached to pier tops and secured to structure.
- Load Transfer: For existing structures, hydraulic lifting (if needed) transfers load to pier system. New construction load is transferred as structure is built.
- Backfill and Restoration: Excavated areas are backfilled and graded.
Common Texas Applications
Room Additions
When adding square footage to your home, helical piers can be installed before the addition is built, ensuring proper foundation support from day one. Particularly useful when matching existing foundation depth or dealing with challenging soil.
Covered Patios & Porches
These lighter structures don't generate enough weight for push pier installation but still need stable support. Helical piers provide the necessary bearing capacity without requiring heavy structural loads.
Detached Structures
Garages, workshops, storage buildings, and pool houses built on problematic soil benefit from helical pier support, especially in areas with known subsidence or expansive clay.
Retaining Wall Anchors
Helical anchors can tie back retaining walls, providing the tension resistance needed to prevent wall failure. Critical in Texas where soil pressure and water buildup cause wall movement.
Determine the Right Pier System for Your Project
Our engineers will assess your specific situation and recommend the most appropriate and cost-effective foundation support system.