Concrete Piers for Foundation Repair

Concrete piers are one of the oldest methods of foundation repair in use in Dallas Fort Worth. When properly installed, a concrete pier will provide long term foundation support. All concrete pier types require large holes and more landscape removal than steel piers.

Concrete pier types for solving foundation problems include:

• Pressed Concrete Pilings
• Six inch diameter pilings
• Six inch diameter pilings with steel leader
• Poured in Place Concrete Piers
• Double eight concrete piers
• 12 inch poured concrete piers
• Belled concrete piers

  Pressed Concrete Pilings

  Pressed Concrete Pilings are the most commonly advertised repair method in use in the DFW area. Pre-cast concrete segments are cheaper than steel. Installation time is shorter than poured pilings because the concrete has already been cured. Sometimes a steel leader is used to achieve greater depth. Installation time is comparable to that of steel piers.

  Many contractors do not water inject, achieving a depth of 8-10 feet with the shortest possible installation time and least expense. Water injection achieves greater depth and stability. 12 feet is the minimum depth needed to minimize movement due to seasonal moisture changes.

  Installation depth is dependent upon the available drive force. Installation of pre-cast concrete is impeded by surface friction and end bearing resistance. At a diameter of 6 inches, a concrete piling requires four times the installation pressure of steel. Cost of material is less than that of steel. Concrete installation seldom reaches bedrock.

  After the concrete is pressed, the foundation is leveled using steel shims.

  Poured Concrete Piers

  Poured concrete piers are best used for new construction, when they can be drilled to a depth of 20-30 feet. A bell adds end bearing surface area to increase load capacity. For residential repair, the piers are typically drilled to a depth of eight to ten feet. At ten feet the piers are subject to movement due to seasonal moisture change. Cure time before foundation leveling is 7-10 days.

  Load bearing capacity of the soil under a poured pier is not tested. Poor soil compaction / poor load bearing capacity is a leading cause of foundation problems. The pier may sink with time in poorly compacted soils and normally carries a shorter warranty period than any other pier method.

Pressed Concrete Pier installation, courtesy of Granite Foundation Repair.

Double eight piers are shown with steel reinforcement and steel shims for house leveling, courtesy of Granite Foundation Repair.

Repair Methods

• Steel piers
• Helical piers
• Concrete piers
• Soil injection
• Mudjacking
• Drainage
• Tunneling
• Root barrier

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Foundation Problem Signs

• Brick cracks
• Sloping floor
• Sticking window
• Cracks in walls
• Cracks in floor
• Cracks in tile
• Sunken floor
• Bouncy floor (Pier & Beam)

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Granite's Lifetime Warranty

All of Granite's foundation repairs are guaranteed by a fully transferable warranty. Our goal is to fix it right the first time and we stand behind our work. Learn more about our lifetime transferable warranty...

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