When a home begins to drop several inches or more, it means the foundation has lost stable support beneath it. Steel pier foundation repair solves this by getting underneath the structure and driving steel pipe down to bedrock so the house rests securely on steel pilings.

This process provides a strong base that prevents further sinking or shifting. Once the foundation is supported by bedrock, the house stays in place, giving long-term protection against movement.

Types of Steel Piers Used in Foundation Repair

There are two main systems we use in foundation repair: the push pier and the helical pier. Each is designed for specific site conditions and structural loads.

Push Piers

The push pier is driven underneath the existing foundation where the home has dropped. Whether the foundation has settled two feet or ten feet, we get under the house and drive the steel pipe down to bedrock. Once contact is made, the weight of the home is supported by the steel pilings beneath it.

Push piers are used when there is enough weight from the house above to drive the pier sections into the ground until they reach solid resistance.

Key Takeaway: Push piers use the structure’s own weight to drive the steel pipe into bedrock and support heavy foundations that have settled.

Helical Piers

A helical pier is an auger-style pier that is manually driven, often with a small excavator or by hand. We use helicals on front porches, slabs, detached additions, or areas where there isn’t enough weight above to help drive a push pier.

Because these structures are lighter, a torque-driven auger pier is used instead. It allows us to manually lift and stabilize the section that is settling.

Pro Tip: Helical piers are ideal for smaller or lighter sections of a structure that need lift but don’t provide enough load to drive a push pier.

Need expert help with steel pier foundation repair? Contact Olson Foundation Repair today for a free consultation.

Comparing Steel and Concrete Piers

From our experience, the advantage of a steel pier compared to a concrete pier is consistency and strength. A concrete pier can work in some cases, but it depends on the specific situation. Steel piers, on the other hand, are driven down to bedrock, and bedrock doesn’t move.

This makes the steel system a reliable choice for long-term foundation stability. Concrete piers are considered case-by-case, but steel piers are a permanent fix once they’re anchored to rock.

Key Takeaway: Steel piers reach bedrock, providing unmatched stability, while concrete piers rely on variable soil conditions.

The Role of Piers in House Stability

The purpose of any pier system is to stop a home from sinking or shifting vertically. When the foundation starts moving up and down, that’s when piers come into play. They provide the end solution, so you don’t have to worry about your house dropping again.

Once installed, the foundation remains stable because the load is supported by bedrock through the steel pier system.

Long-Term Results You Can Rely On

Steel pier foundation repair is the long-term answer when your home begins to settle or shift. Push piers and helical piers work in different ways, but both are designed to stabilize your foundation by connecting it to solid ground. With the right pier system in place, you can be confident your house won’t drop again.

Ready to restore your home’s foundation? Call Olson Foundation Repair today to schedule a free inspection and get professional guidance on your pier options.