Understanding Foundation Piers: Top Solutions to Fix Your Settling Foundation

A common issue in homes today is the effect of settling on the home's foundation. This can be caused by inconsistent soil conditions or weak foundation structures, leading to cracks in the bricks, uneven floors, or leaning chimneys. To address these problems, foundation piers are the most effective and reliable solution.

What Does It Mean When a Home Settles?

When a home "settles," it often results in visible structural damage such as cracked concrete, uneven floors, or leaning chimneys. Different types of soil can cause varying degrees of settling in different parts of the home. At Master Services, we use two types of piers for foundation repairs: push piers and helical piers. Both types aim to realign your home and provide a stable base for your foundation.

Push Piers: The Safe Choice for Uncertain Soil Conditions

Push piers are ideal when local soil conditions are uncertain. They are driven deep into stable soil layers under high pressure and attached to your home with adjustable brackets. These brackets are meticulously balanced to realign your home, curing cracked surfaces and uneven floors. However, push piers are not suitable for lighter structures as they may not provide sufficient weight to drive the piers into the ground adequately.

Helical Piers: Versatile and Effective for All Structures

Helical piers, resembling giant screws, are versatile and can stabilize foundations of any weight. They are designed with helical blades that cause minimal soil disturbance and can reach deeper than traditional helical piers. These piers are driven into the ground until they reach a stable layer, even if dense soil is present near the surface. Helical piers are used when there is not enough bedrock available to support the weight of the structure.

Choosing the Right Pier for Your Home

Master Services selects the best pier based on the natural geology beneath your home. If bedrock is available, push piers are the preferred choice. If not, helical piers provide a reliable alternative. Both options offer a permanent solution for foundation stabilization, can be installed rapidly with little disruption, and are placed below ground level, making them invisible once installed.

The Main Purpose of Piers

The primary purpose of foundation piers is to realign your home and create a stable base. They help manage and distribute the weight of your home more consistently across the soil. Whether using push piers or helical piers, the goal is to provide a long-term, stable solution to foundation settling issues, thereby preserving the integrity of your home and enhancing your quality of life.

At Master Services, we understand the critical nature of foundation stability and offer tailored solutions to meet your specific needs. Contact us to learn more about how we can help stabilize your home with our expert foundation repair services.