Revolutionizing the Steel Piers Foundation Repair Process

Your North Texas home may seem safe, but is it really? You may have foundation issues you're unaware of. If not addressed early on, they can threaten your structural integrity.

Fortunately, there are repair solutions. Steel piers are among the most effective because they reach stable layers beneath the soil, support the home with balance and durability, and hydraulically lift it back to its original level.

RS Foundations offers a range of foundation repairs, including steel pier installation. Find out how this method can help your home retain its value while providing optimal safety.

Find us on...

AngiYelp

Concrete Piers - Foundation Repair

What are Steel Piers?

Steel piers are heavy-duty structural supports used for foundation repair. They stabilize homes, lifting them back to level. Key characteristics include:

  • High-strength steel sections, typically 2 7/8 to 4 inches in diameter

  • Foundation brackets are placed under the home's footing

  • Hydraulic systems that drive them deeply into the ground until they hit stable soil or bedrock (typically 20-50 feet deep)

How are Steel Piers Installed?

  • The steel pier installation process is as follows:

    • Contractors dig beneath the home to expose the foundation footing

    • Steel brackets are installed

    • The hydraulic stand is attached

    • Piers are driven into the ground

    • The foundation is lifted and stabilized

    • The area is backfilled and concealed, providing a clean installation

Steel Piers - Foundation Repair

Are Steel Piers Right for My Home?

Steel piers are suited for:

  • Residential homes with concrete slab foundations, pier and beam structures, and crawlspaces

  • Commercial and light commercial buildings with heavier loads

  • Properties with unstable soil: Steel piers provide exceptional stability for homes with shifting Texas soil

They may not be right for:

  • Very light structures such as sheds and decks

  • Properties with poor access beneath the building

  • Pre-construction new builds- concrete pier systems are more commonly used in these structures

Image

What are the Benefits of Steel Pier Foundation Repair?

Steel piers offer several benefits, including the following:

  • Exceptional Strength and Durability: Steel piers have less than a 1% failure rate, providing a more secure support system than concrete alternatives

  • Deep Secure Support: The piers are embedded deeply in the ground, offering optimal support

  • Precision Lifting and Leveling: The hydraulic system allows for controlled, precise lifting, bringing homes back to their original level

  • Time-Efficient Installation: Many systems can be installed in a day

  • Minimal Disruption: The installation requires minimal excavation and generates little noise and vibration compared to concrete foundations

  • Immediate Load Transfer: Once installed, steel piers immediately bear loads without curing times, speeding the repair process.

  • Cost-Effective: Although up-front costs are higher than those of concrete piers, steel piers are less vulnerable to damage, making them a cost-effective foundation type

  • Ideal for Texas Soil Types: Steel piers are especially effective in Texas because they provide maximum stability and hold up well in the State's expansive soil conditions.

How Do Steel Piers Compare to Other Foundation Repair Solutions?

Steel Piers vs. Concrete Piers

  • Stability: Concrete foundation piers are only 8-12 feet deep, as compared to steel piers that are 20-50 feet in the ground

  • Load-Bearing: Steel piers do not require a curing time, so they can bear loads right away. Concrete peers must cure before they carry the full load.

  • Durability: Concrete piers often crack, tilt, or move due to expansive clay soil and drainage system issues. Steel piers are unaffected by this movement.

Steel Piers vs. Helical Piers

Helical piers are not as strong as steel piers, but they are often used for new construction or for structures with tight access. Steel piers are for maximum capacity and deep support.

Steel Piers vs. Mudjacking/ Foam Injections

Mudjacking involves pumping grout or foam under a concrete slab to fill voids. Unlike steel piers, it does not address deep soil movement or support the foundation.

Steel Piers vs Shallow Fixes (Patches, Piers in Holes, Drainage Issues

Shallow fixes are typically cosmetic, addressing cracks, patches, and retexturizing. They don't stop soil from expanding and contracting. In most instances, problems will return, often worse than they were before.

foundation work

How Do I Know I Need Slab Foundation Repair?

The following signs may indicate your foundation is in need of repair:

  • Visible Cracks: Cracks may appear in your drywall, stairs, or in bricks, windows, and door frames inside or outside your home.

  • Door and Window Issues: If doors and windows may stick, drage or won't latch, there may be issues with your home's foundation.

  • Uneven and Sloping Floors: Floors and ceilings may tilt or dip when you walk, or slant noticeably.

  • Gaps and Separations: You may notice gaps and separations where the baseboards meet the floors, where the walls meet the ceilings, and in other areas of your home.

  • Issues around the Interior: These may include big gaps around the garage door, the porch steps, the patio pulling away from the home, or noticeable settling near the foundation.

  • Water and Soil Conditions: Your home's stability may be at risk if soil pulls away from your exterior when dry, you notice water pooling near your foundation or gutters, or you have large trees or shrubs near your home, as they may be drying out your soil.

Here is what the foundation repair process looks like when you call RS Foundations:

STEP 1

Call RS Foundations for a FREE, no-obligation estimate.

STEP 2

One of our trained structural analysts will arrive at the scheduled time to evaluate your home or business. This process generally takes about an hour, but we are willing to take longer to answer any questions you have.

STEP 3

Our technician will draw up a detailed program of your home and measure all areas with a Technidea Ziplevel precision altimeter, which allows us to measure differences in the foundation within 1/10 of an inch.

STEP 4

We will go over our findings with you and discuss a repair plan if foundation repair is recommended.

STEP 5

We provide a written estimate on-site along with a copy of the detailed repair plan.

picAbout2

We Appreciate the Kinds Words from Our Customers

Image
Best foundation company I have worked with. I have used them on many homes and they have always given me the best possible service. Highly recommend them and I always recommend them with confidence to all my clients.
Parham A.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    RS Foundations Effective Solutions

    RS Foundations takes a careful approach, ensuring our foundation repair methods meet our clients' needs. We start by conducting a free inspection to identify the root cause of your foundation system's issues. Then we develop an estimate, breaking down each service in clear language to ensure a long-term solution and a transparent approach.

    Clients prefer us because we offer:

    • Years of Experience: Our years of experience ensure we can address common problems with ease.

    • Versatile Service: We offer both residential and commercial foundation repair to meet a wide range of repair needs.

    • Clear Pricing Structure: Our company ensures clients know what they are paying for. Our free evaluations and efficiency keep foundation repair costs low.

    • Extensive Service Areas: We offer high-quality services throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including multiple zip codes.

    • Customer Reviews: Our positive reviews speak for themselves.

    Contact us for a free estimate today.