WHY YOU NEED IT
Helical and Resistance piers are typically the best solution to either stabilize or lift a residential or commercial structure. They are also used to retrofit a foundation to increase load requirements (e.g., to add a 2nd story additions) or to provide uplift resistance to hurricane force winds. Florida soil conditions may cause structures to move upward or downward due to poor or loose soil conditions, shrink and swell clays and decomposing organics (that big tree you cut down ten years ago that was next to the house and now the decomposing root system is allowing the soils above to compress and your foundation to settle).
WHAT IS IT?
Helical and Resistance piers are galvanized steel piers that are attached to a building's foundation, installed at intervals around the perimeter at the affected locations and screwed or driven down to competent soils to bypass the problematic soils causing movement to the existing structure. (show in-process installation pic)
METHODOLOGY AND INSTALLATION
Each pier is designed by our engineers to perform based on the required loads and soil conditions for your project. The process starts with gathering data about your existing soil and structure's condition.
Resistence Pier
Helical Pier
- TESTING AND DESIGN: for most projects, the design process occurs with gathering information about your project:
- We obtain soils information from a geotechnical engineer to define the soil conditions.
- A structural engineer works with us to define the necessary capacity of the piles, the pile type and configuration based on the soils report and existing structural conditions.
- The pier type is determined.
- helical piers
- resistance piers
- A plan is created to resolve the settled condition of the structure and a permit is applied for.
- IMPLEMENTATION: We mobilize onto your site and review the scope of work with you. The workmen are careful to protect surroundings and clean up as work proceeds. The site is left in a safe and clean condition at the end of each workday. The installation of the piers is documented and variances are discussed with the engineer of record. At the end of the project, we review the site conditions with you to ensure the site is being left as planned. We also offer full-service remodeling and cosmetic repairs to our clientele.
- FINALIZATION: Installation logs are kept for each pier and reviewed by the engineer of record. The logs keep track of the total depth achieved of the pier and pressures encountered during installation. The logs are submitted to the building department along with a Certificate of Completion from the engineer to certify that our installation was in compliance with the plan. The installation ends at this point; the permit is finalized and you can rest assured that you have installed a strong foundation.
HOW THEY ARE USED
- Resistance piers: round shaft columns that resist with superior strength that resist buckling and can be installed in hard-to-access areas
- Helical piers: fast, efficient and affordably installed; the best solution for most applications
- Slab piers: support for existing interior slabs and walkways
BENEFITS
Underpinning a settling structure allows one to retain or recapture a potential lost asset's value through repair and remediation. Where a structure might have thought to have been lost due to settlement, it may now be salvaged, value returns to a marketable condition and cash flows of a real estate investment can resume or be created. The cost of repair with an underpinning solution is almost always more economical than removing the structure, repairing the soils and rebuilding. All underpinning materials are covered with a transferrable 30 year material warranty.