Do I Need Foundation Piers For My Ohio Home?

If the foundation of your Ohio house is shifting or you see telltale signs of foundation damage, like cracks in the floor or bowing basement walls, then it’s time for a call to Ohio’s basement and foundation repair experts – The Basement Guys. When a house’s foundation settles, it can affect the entire structure, making it unstable, unsafe, and in disrepair. It’s critical to address foundation issues before the damage gets worse.

The Basement Guys specializes in foundation fixes, using top-quality materials to make lasting repairs. Our foundation repairs are intended to permanently stabilize your house and, ideally, lift the settling foundation back to its original level. We use different foundation pier options (helical, slab, and push) for custom foundation repairs so you have a safe, stable home for your family.

We offer a free initial estimate, so call today!

What Are Foundation Piers?

Foundation piers are long cylindrical structural elements that act as stability columns, redistributing a house’s weight for improved stability. The piers are driven deep into the ground below the foundation or concrete slab, into dense strata or bedrock. The process reduces shifting and makes the house more stable. In many cases, we can use the piers to lift the home to its original position.

Houses built on shifting, eroding, or expansive soil (like the clay soils in southern and central Ohio) are vulnerable to damage as the soil shifts. Piers counter this, providing permanent stability. The Basement Guys utilizes foundation piers as part of our whole-home repair solution, incorporating them alongside basement waterproofing, crawl space repair, and more.

Signs You Need Foundation Piers

Knowing the signs of a settling foundation can help you avoid serious damage to your home. It’s easier to fix foundation problems when they’re small. If you notice one or more of these indications, inside or outside the house, call The Basement Guys right away for a free quote:

Cracked foundation walls
Drywall cracks
Drywall nail pops
Uneven floors
Sticking doors and windows
Cracked bricks
Floor gaps
Cracking or leaning chimney

Don’t wait to call The Basement Guys for a free estimate for your foundation issues. If you see these signs, fixing the underlying cause is important before the structural damage worsens.

Are Foundation Piers Necessary?

If your home’s foundation is shifting or settling unevenly, foundation piers may be the best, if not the only, solution.

As your Ohio foundation repair experts, we believe it’s crucial to act fast at the first sign of foundation or basement trouble. If foundation damage has affected your basement, we also offer comprehensive basement repair solutions customized to your needs.

What Are the Different Types of Foundation Piers?

We use three types of foundation pier systems: push, slab, and helical. Although each type of pier serves the same basic function, there are differences among them. Each pier type is suited for a different application.

This is how The Basement Guys pier systems and installation works:

Helical Piers

Helical piers are ideal for lighter structures. They’re versatile and can be used in a variety of situations.

We use SettleStop™ Helical Pier Systems, steel piers with circular helical plates at the end. These anchor the house to stable soil or bedrock below, screwing in just like a screw in a wall. This system delivers strong, stable foundational support.

The Basement Guys installation process goes like so:

Excavate the soil around the hose to expose the foundation footing
Advance the piers into the soil using hydraulic equipment
Monitor the piers to ensure they reach the necessary depth
Attach a durable steel bracket to the footing for each pier
Benchmark the piers in the exterior walls using small rivets
Backfill the excavated soil to return your home to normal

Push Piers

SettleStop™ Push Piers have a purpose similar to helical piers, but the design and installation process differ. Push piers are long steel rods pushed into the ground using powerful machinery, relying on the home’s resistance to provide stability.

Our push pier installation process goes like this:

Excavate the soil to expose a foundation footing
Attach the footing bracket
Drive the piers through the bracket into the denser soil or bedrock
Monitor the depth of the piers to ensure they’re at the correct capacity
Place benchmarks for each pier on the foundation wall
Backfill the soil we removed

Slab Piers

SettleStop™ Slab Piers are intended for homes that rest on a slab foundation. The Basement Guys slab pier installation process is as follows:

Remove the basement flooring to expose the slab
Auger a hole through the slab to expose the foundation footing
Place a bracket under the footing
Advance sections of slab piers into the ground
Monitor the depth and capacity
Attach each bracket to the slab
Pour concrete over the hole and smooth so the basement is ready for re-flooring

The Basement Guys offers a comprehensive line of products, personalized according to your foundation type and the extent of the damage.

What Are the Benefits of Foundation Piers?

The biggest benefit of foundation piers is their minimally invasive installation. They provide strength and stability for many years and, with The Basement Guys’ custom solutions, improve your home’s structural integrity.

Foundation piers provide the following benefits:

Long-Term Stability: We guarantee permanent stability for your foundation
Avoid Related Foundation Damage: By fixing the root cause of foundation issues, we prevent your house from additional damage
Prevent Further Settling: With improved stability, your home is protected from settling more
Protect Your Foundation: Durable steel pieces mean that your foundation may be protected for decades
Potential for Foundation Lifting: We may be able to add additional pressure to the piers during installation to lift the settling sections of the foundation back to their original position
Comprehensive Warranty: Every pier comes with a transferrable, nationally-backed warranty

Don’t delay a foundation inspection and repair. The damage gets worse over time and is usually more expensive (and invasive!) the longer you wait. The Basement Guys will inspect your foundation for free—just call us for an appointment!

Why Our Foundation Piers Are the Best Choice for Your Home

You have options for your house, but if you’re like many Ohio homeowners, you want only the best. Here are the benefits that set our foundation pier systems apart:

Superior to standard piles and other piers
Systems are optimized for Ohio soil
Long-lasting performance and durability
Comprehensive warranty

We also offer an annual maintenance plan to ensure that the piers are functioning correctly and to inspect your house for early warning signs of foundation problems.

Contact The Basement Guys for Foundation Piers Today!

At The Basement Guys, we know how important it is to take proper care of your home’s foundation. A settling foundation won’t get better on its own. Neglecting small problems creates bigger ones—but we can fix them! Our team can handle even the hardest foundation repairs, installing a custom system of piers so that the foundation repair is completed right the first time.

Call us today to schedule a free inspection and estimate. Let us help you create a stable, safer home.

FAQs

Are foundation piers worth it?

Foundation piers are worth it if your home experiences foundation settlement or structural issues. They provide foundation support and stability, prevent further damage, and preserve property value.

Are foundation piers necessary?

Foundation piers are necessary if the foundation problems are severe. Contact a foundation repair expert of an inspection to learn whether your home requires foundation piers and to receive a free quote.

Can I install my own foundation piers?

Installing foundation piers is a complex process that requires professional equipment, expertise, and local codes and regulation adherence. We do not recommend DIY foundation pier installation due to the potential safety risks and errors involved. Contact The Basement Guys® for safe, precise, and permanent foundation pier installation.