Top Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a helical pier?
A helical pier consists of a high strength steel shaft with various configurations of helix-shaped bearing plates. Soil conditions and required load capacity will determine the exact helix configuration. Helical piers can be used for loads ranging from 50kips compression load in our standard 2 7/8" pier, up to 400 kips compression load found in our Hercules Pile manufactured by Pier Tech. - What is the difference between a helical pile and a helical anchor?
A helical pile is a round shaft helical pier mainly used in compression applications. It can however be utilized in tension applications as well. A helical anchor is a square or round shaft helical pier solely used in tension applications. Some examples would be moorings in marina's and ports, support cable guy wires for towers, or tiebacks for lateral stability. - Where are helical piers used?
Helical piers are designed for bearing varying degrees of weight on areas with poor soil conditions. Some of these applications may include heavy industrial equipment, building/structure foundations, above ground holding tanks, equipment/machinery platforms, pipe rackings, light pole bases, wind turbine anchors and many more applications. - How are helical piers installed?
Helical piers are installed by using hydraulic rotary drive heads which range from small hand driven models to large excavator mounted equipment. The piers are installed to engineer mandated torque values, which will equivocate to an exact loading capacity. At Innovative Piering LLC, all of our employees are professionally trained and certified to safely and efficiently install helical piers of varying designs. - How deep can helical piers go?
With each helical pier being installed to a specific load capacity (which is in direct relation to the torque of the installed pier), the piers will have a range of depths. Though most are between 10 to 25 feet, helical piers have the ability to be installed for 75 feet or more. - How long does a helical pier last?
At Innovative Piering LLC we can install both bare steel and galvanized piers (per engineer/customer's request). Each soil type has different characteristics which determine the soil's resistivity. In severe corrosive soils (not common) bare steel piers have a life expectancy of 30 years and 75 years for galvanized piers. In low corrosive soils, the life expectancy of bare steel piers is 325 years and 700+ years for galvanized piers. A soil sample should be done by a geotechnical engineer to determine the soil's resistivity. - How long have helical piers been around?
Documentations on helical piers date back to the early 1700's. Originally, helical piers were hand-driven into the ground to support Lighthouses on unstable soils near coastlines in England. - Can you attach a helical pier to an existing failing foundation?
Yes. With Pier Tech's patented Tru-Lift bracket, our helical piers will solve your failing foundation. Once the bracket is installed, we can use hydraulic ran's to stabilize an existing foundation. A benefit of utilizing this method over the industry standard 'steel push piers', is that with our helical piers and Tru-Lift bracket, we only have to load the damaged foundation one time. With stell push piers, the already damaged foundation is manipulated numerous times causing potentially worse damage to an already deficient foundation. - How long does it take install helical piers?
There are many factors involved when estimating production: site conditions, soil conditions, depth, etc. On a new construction application, 20 or more helical piers may be installed in a day, per crew. With existing structures, many factors are taken into consideration, but on average, five piers can be installed per day. - Why should I choose helical piers?
With advantages such as fast installation, cost effective solutions, environmentally friendly materials, versatility and durability, helical piers are the obvious choice. Helical piers can be installed in any weather (that is safe enough to work in), and once a pier is installed to its designed torque specifications, it can be immediately loaded to its fully designed load. - Why should I choose Innovative Piering LLC to manage my helical piering needs?
Innovative Piering LLC is one of the leaders in this growing industry due to our organizational structure and professionalism. Our project managers oversee every stage of a project: contract, engineering/design, ordering, shipping/delivery, on-site material management, surveying, mobilization, operations, safety, reporting and closing. This process frees up dollars and hours from our customer's estimating, project management and site supervision departments and budgets. Our onsite crew is trained, supervised and equipped to generate production in the safest manner possible.
Because of the principles and value our family owned and operated business lives by, working with us is sure to be pleasurable. Our honesty and integrity will be apparent immediately, and will allow our customers to trust that we are here for the duration. We stand behind our work.