Snippet: Learn more about foundation piers, what types are available, and what they do to preserve your home’s structural integrity
What are foundation piers? Foundation piers help give your foundation a more stable base, as well as re-elevate the concrete under your home if it has sunk due to settling. Installing piers are often seen as being a superior form of foundation repair.
Read on to learn more about foundation piers, how they work and how they can help your home.
Is There More Than One Type of Foundation Pier?
There are two types of foundation piers available. Push steel piers are hollow and usually driven into the soil with hydraulic rams. These piers usually go to a deeper level than helical piers.
Helical piers feature plates attached to either end. The screw-like shape of these plates allows contractors to screw them into the soil.
Some contractors provide unique steel pier systems with features designed to create extra stability. KC Pier, for example, offers a unique type of piering known as DynaPiers. These piers use galvanized steel and high-strength concrete for providing stronger foundational support.
Steel piering offers a major advantage over other kinds because of its ability to support heavier structures. Larger homes, including multi-story homes, get the extra support they require from these piers.
What Are Foundation Piers and Do They Last Long-Term?
What are foundation piers, and can they last over a longer term? One of the advantages of steel foundation piers is their longevity. These piers can withstand any soil environment, as well as retain structural stability for homes of different sizes.
Clay soil is very common in home lots around the Kansas City area. This type of soil contracts and expands depending on moisture conditions, which makes clay soil problematic for many foundations.
Steel piers can easily help make these issues a thing of the past, so you don’t need to worry about your home’s stability or value. Your piers could easily last for decades before repair or replacement even become an issue.
Steel is a material that doesn’t absorb water, which means that drainage issues, including rainstorms, will not affect them.
Do Foundation Piers Come With Warranties?
Many foundation piers come with lifetime warranties, a particularly important benefit. A lifetime warranty, when available, provides coverage against future problems related to installation and manufacturer defects.
Because every system does not come with a warranty, you will need to check with your contractor to see what is available. When there is a warranty, the repair will be covered at no cost to you.
Do Foundation Piers Lower Costs?
Steel piers are one of the most affordable options for homeowners. The installation process doesn’t involve digging or excavation as many previous methods did. There is less labor involved with this type of job, which also lowers your costs.
Many consider the additional savings that they get with this method to be worth it in the long run. Homeowners are likely to consider value almost as much as any other factor, making the savings that come with these piers very important.
What Should You Do If You Have Foundation Concerns?
Many of the signs of foundation problems are subtle and easy for homeowners to miss. The problem with these subtle signs is that there might be substantial damage before you realize there’s a problem. The sooner you have your problems addressed, the better.
A foundation piering specialist will help you find out what the problem is and the best solutions to address these problems. Regardless of the cause, a specialist will know what the best solutions are and how they will improve things for your home.
KC Piering offers piering and other foundation services to help keep your home as stable as possible. Contact us today for all your questions about what are foundation piers.