Push Pier Installation in Greenville, NC
If your Greenville, North Carolina-area home needs a foundation underpinning system, one of the top options are push piers. At Alliance Inc., our expert foundation repair technicians have experience installing these end-bearing piers, which can repair and stabilize foundations.
What Are Push Piers?
Push piers, also known as resistance piers and push piles, are part of a foundation underpinning system. They consist of steel rods and a bracket that attaches the pier to the house. The rods are connected together to allow the pier to reach the depth necessary to find a load-bearing strata of soil or bedrock.
They are primarily end-bearing, although side friction can contribute minimally. This means the load is supported by the end of the pier and the layer of soil or bedrock that it sits upon, making them resemble underground stilts.
When Are Push Piers Used?
At Alliance Inc., we use either push piers or helical piers in our underpinning jobs, depending upon what is best for the job. This isn’t a case of one being the premium option. It is entirely based upon the specifics of the job.
One of the key variables is bedrock depth. Push piers can be advantageous in areas where the bedrock depth is reasonably shallow. For areas where the bedrock is significantly deeper, helical piers can have the edge because their helical plates can allow them to achieve load-bearing capacity in soils that would not properly support end-bearing piers like push piers.
What is Our Push Pier Installation Process?
First we determine where the piers should be installed around the perimeter of the home. Next we remove any landscaping in that area to prepare the area for excavation.
We need to excavate deep enough to expose the home’s footings, which can obviously vary greatly for a slab foundation vs. a basement foundation. Then we attach the bracket to the footing and begin sinking the piers into the ground.
Once our readings tell us that we have reached soil strong enough to support the structure, we hydraulically lift the foundation back to level when possible and safe to do so before transferring the load of the structure onto the piers.
We then refill the excavations and replace the landscaping.
Need Foundation Repair in Greenville, North Carolina? Call Alliance
At Alliance Inc., our expert technicians can find the right fix for your home’s foundation woes. If that solution involves push piers, you can rest assured the piers will be high quality and the installation professional. To schedule a free estimate, contact us today.