FAQS

How much does it cost to install helical piers?
Cost per helical pier installed ranges drastically depending up the required support, soil encountered at the site, and a multitude of other factors. However, you can typically anticipate an installed fee per pile to be between $400-$2,000 for lightly loaded structures.

What is a helical pier?
Also known as helical piles or screw piles, A helical pier’s name is derived from it’s primary method to provide load support through compression or tension applied to a steel shaft with one or more circular plates attached, which resemble a helix.

Do helical piers work?
Helical piers work for a multitude of applications and excel in several areas versus alternative deep foundation support options.

How deep do helical piers go?
Helical piers must be designed to provide adequate support based upon the design loads required. Required bearing depths can range drastically depending upon the design loads for the proposed structure as well as the soil profile encountered at the building site.

How much weight can a helical pier hold?
Helical piers can be designed to support any loads required. These options can include pier groups or arrays depending upon required support and available soil support.

What are helical piles made of?
Our helical piles are made of high quality ASTM rated steel.

How long do screw piles last?
Screw piles are typically designed to last at least the same duration as the lifetime for the structures they support.

How do helical piles work?
Helical piles provide support as most typical deep foundation options do. Compressive strength support from helical piers is provided from the surface area of the helices attached to the pier shaft, with a very small amount of friction on the shaft also. Tensile strength is also provided from resistance to pull-out from the surface area of the helical plates attached to the pier shaft.

What type of foundation is best for sandy soil?
We recommend that all sites have a Geotechnical Investigation completed in order to determine what is the most suitable option for a site with sandy soil. A variety of factors can affect the foundation types most suitable for the chosen building site.

How many foundation piers are needed?
Piers are designed as part of the Foundation design completed by a Structural Engineer. The amount of required piers will range depending upon the size of the structure, the type of construction, number of stories, available soil support, and total
building corners to name a few. For a lightly loaded structure approximately 2,000 square feet in footprint with good soil support beneath, you can typical anticipate about 50 piers, plus or minus 10.

How do helical piers compare to drilled concrete piers?
Cost wise, helical piers are typically slightly more than drilled shaft concrete piers. Construction timing wise, helical piers can be installed and support loads immediately. Concrete piers require a minimum of 7 days to cure to 75% before any loads are supported by the pier. Installation wise, concrete piers won’t work in very sandy soils and will require casing if groundwater is present and can’t be sufficiently pumped down prior to concrete placement. Neither sandy soils or groundwater affect installation of helical piers.

How far apart are foundation piers?
Pier spacing is designed based on the desired building footprint and foundation type. For lightly loaded structures, this typically can range from 10 to 12 feet for slab on grade foundations, and up to 15 to 20 feet for suspended foundations.

What are helical piles used for?
Helical piles are used to provide deep foundation support, lateral load support, or tensile resistance for loading.

Where can I buy helical piers?
We offer engineered helical pier solutions which include the foundation design, load calculations, material, and labor. Call today for a free quote! 866-435-4225