How Foundation Piers Work: Push Piers vs. Helical Piers for Stabilizing Your Home
Foundation problems in St. Louis homes—whether due to expansive soils, seasonal moisture shifts, or poor construction—can lead to serious structural issues over time. If you’ve noticed cracks in your drywall, sloping floors, or doors that stick, you may need more than a patch—you may need foundation piering.
At Perma‑Jack of St. Louis, we specialize in two time-tested piering systems: Push Piers and Helical Piers. Both methods permanently stabilize foundations and, in many cases, lift your home back toward level.
What Are Foundation Piers?
Foundation piers are deep structural supports installed beneath your foundation to bypass weak or shifting soil and transfer your home’s weight to stable strata deeper underground.
Piering is often the go-to solution when:
- The foundation is settling or sinking unevenly
- Soil is too unstable to provide long-term support
- You need to restore a foundation without replacing it entirely
There are two types of piers we use at Perma‑Jack:
- Push Piers – driven into the ground using the weight of the structure
- Helical Piers – screwed into the soil like a giant corkscrew
Let’s take a closer look at each.
How Push Piers Work
Push piers are hydraulically driven steel tubes that are pressed into the soil beneath your foundation until they reach load-bearing strata.
Step-by-Step Process:
- Excavation: Soil is removed around the footing where the pier will be installed
- Bracket Installation: A steel bracket is mounted to the base of the foundation wall
- Pier Driving: Sections of heavy-duty steel are driven deep into the ground using hydraulic pressure, until they reach firm, stable soil or bedrock
- Load Transfer: Your home is gently lifted as its weight is transferred onto the piers
- Backfill & Restoration: The area is refilled, and the surface restored
Ideal For:
- Heavy structures like brick homes or commercial buildings
- Situations where the soil depth is unpredictable
- Cases where foundation settlement is already advanced
How Helical Piers Work
Helical piers use screw-shaped steel shafts that are twisted into the ground like large augers. They don’t rely on the structure’s weight for installation, making them ideal for lighter homes or new construction.
Step-by-Step Process:
- Site Prep: The installation area is excavated and cleared
- Screw-In Installation: Using hydraulic torque motors, helical piers are turned into the ground until they reach a specified torque (indicating sufficient bearing strength)
- Foundation Bracket: A bracket is connected to the foundation, securing the home to the pier
- Load Transfer: Like push piers, the load is gradually shifted to the piers for stabilization or lift
- Cleanup: The ground is leveled and restored to pre-work conditions
Ideal For:
- Lighter structures
- Additions, decks, sunrooms, or porches
- Areas with shallow load-bearing strata or softer surface soils
Push vs. Helical: Which Is Right for You?
| Feature | Push Piers | Helical Piers |
|---|---|---|
| Installation Method | Driven into soil using the home’s weight | Screwed into soil using hydraulic torque |
| Best For | Heavy structures like brick or concrete block homes | Lighter homes, additions, and new construction |
| Soil Suitability | Unpredictable or deep load-bearing soils | Surface soils or areas with shallow load-bearing strata |
| Load Transfer | Relies on structure weight to push into soil | Does not depend on structure weight |
| Installation Speed | Fast, typically 1–2 days | Fast, typically 1–2 days |
| Used For Lifting | Yes, excellent for lifting settled foundations | Yes, especially effective in soft soils |
| Soil Disturbance | Minimal excavation required | Minimal excavation required |
At Perma‑Jack of St. Louis, we evaluate every project individually. Soil conditions, structure weight, and foundation type all play a role in determining which pier is best for your home.
Why Foundation Piers Work
Both push and helical piers anchor your home into competent soil, creating a permanent, reliable support system. Key benefits include:
- Stops Foundation Settlement
- Can Lift Settled Foundations
- No Need for Full Foundation Replacement
- Minimal Disruption to Landscaping
- Fast Installation—Often in Just a Day or Two
- Backed by Engineering & Warranty Support
Signs You Might Need Foundation Piers
You don’t have to be a structural engineer to recognize the warning signs of foundation movement:
- Stair-step or horizontal cracks in foundation walls
- Doors and windows that stick or won’t close
- Gaps between walls and ceiling or trim
- Sloping or uneven floors
- Cracks in drywall or tile
- Exterior cracks in brick or siding
- A visibly sinking foundation
These symptoms often point to differential settlement—a condition that foundation piers can permanently fix.
Contact Us for a Quote on Foundation Settlement Repair
Whether you’re facing early warning signs or advanced foundation issues, foundation piers offer a long-lasting solution to protect your investment. With push piers and helical piers as part of your foundation repair toolkit, you can stop settlement in its tracks—and in many cases, reverse it.
Ready to get your foundation inspected? Contact Perma‑Jack of St. Louis today for a no-pressure consultation and estimate.