Helical Piers
- Licensed & Insured
- 5-Star Rated
- Local Business
- Transferable Warranty
Helical Piers for Settling Foundations, Porches and Additions
Helical piers are one of the ways Best Buy Waterproofing supports a foundation that is sinking or settling. A helical pier is a steel shaft with plates along it that is turned into the ground, much like a large screw, until it reaches stable soil. Once set, it carries the load of the structure past weak upper soil. Helical piers are often a good fit for lighter structures, which is why we frequently use them for porch and addition settlement as well as sections of a home’s main foundation.
Across Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia, clay and silt soils swell when wet and shrink when dry. Porches and additions often sit on shallower footings than the main house, so they can feel that movement first and start pulling away from the home.
Signs You May Need Helical Piers
Settlement often starts at a porch, addition or one corner of the house. Watch for these signs.
Porch pulling away
A gap opens where the porch or stoop meets the house.
Addition separating
Cracks or gaps form where an addition joins the original home.
Stair-step cracks
Zigzag cracks appear in brick or block along mortar joints.
Skewed doors and windows
Frames look out of square, and doors stick or will not latch.
Sloping floors
Floors near the settled section dip or slope noticeably.
Leaning chimney
The chimney tilts or separates from the side of the home.
How Helical Piers Work
Finding the Cause of Settlement
We start by checking where the structure has dropped, how far and why. We look at cracks, floor slope, door and window frames, and drainage. That tells us whether helical piers, push piers or another repair fits your home.
Screwing Piers Into Stable Soil
We dig small access points beside the footing, then turn each helical pier into the ground with hydraulic equipment. Extensions are typically added as the pier goes deeper, until it reaches soil firm enough to carry the load. Because helical piers are turned in rather than pushed, they do not rely on the weight of the structure to install, which is why they are often used for a lighter porch and addition.
Connecting the Bracket and Lifting
A steel bracket connects each pier to the footing, and the load is transferred from the weak soil to the piers. Where the structure allows, we use controlled lifting to bring it back toward level. We explain how much correction to expect before work starts.
Helical Piers Foundation Support for the Main House
Helical piers foundation repair is not limited to porches. They can also support sections of a home’s main foundation, depending on soil and structure. For heavier loads, push piers may be the better fit.
Steps, Walks and Driveways
Sunken concrete steps, sidewalks and driveways usually do not need piers. Our concrete leveling service handles those surfaces on their own.
Our Helical Pier Process
Free Inspection
We find where and why your foundation, porch or addition is settling.
Your Recommendation
We walk you through what we found and what we recommend.
Pier Installation
Our in-house crew installs helical piers and transfers the load to stable soil.
Warranty Protection
Your helical piers are backed by our transferable warranty.
Why Homeowners Choose Best Buy Waterproofing
Helical piers need the right diagnosis and careful installation to hold. Here is what you get with our team.
- Since 2017: We have served homeowners with foundation and waterproofing work since 2017.
- Licensed and insured: Licensed in MD, VA, DC, PA, DE and WV, and fully insured.
- One in-house team: The same crew handles foundation repair, drainage and waterproofing.
- Free inspection, financing: Inspections and estimates are free, and financing is available.
- Transferable warranty: Our warranty can transfer to the next owner if you sell.
What Affects the Cost of Helical Piers?
We don’t quote helical piers from a price list, because every structure is different. You get a firm price after your free inspection.
Settled area
A longer settled section needs more piers along the footing.
Depth to stable soil
Deeper firm soil means longer pier installations.
What is settling
A porch, addition or main foundation each calls for a different layout.
Site access
Patios, plantings, decks or tight lots can affect access to footings.
Lifting goals
Whether we stabilize only or also lift affects the work.
Drainage issues
Water problems near the footing may need fixing too.
Helical Piers FAQs
What are helical piers?
Helical piers are steel shafts with plates that are screwed into the ground until they reach stable soil. They carry the weight of a structure past weak or shifting upper soil and allow controlled lifting of a settled section.
Why are helical piers used for a porch and addition?
Porches and additions are lighter than the main house and often sit on shallower footings. Because helical piers are turned in rather than pushed against the structure’s weight, they are often a good fit for these lighter loads.
Can helical piers lift a settled porch or addition?
Often they can help. Controlled lifting can bring a settled section back toward level and close some gaps. How much correction is possible depends on the structure, and some cracks may need separate repair.
Should I choose helical piers or push piers?
It depends on the load and the soil. Push piers use the weight of the house to drive them and suit heavier structures. Helical piers suit lighter loads. We recommend one after the inspection.
Do helical piers require major excavation?
No. We dig small, targeted access points beside the footing at each pier location rather than excavating the whole foundation. We restore the dug areas when the work is done.
What causes a porch or addition to settle?
Soil under shallow footings that swells, shrinks, softens or washes out. Clay soils, poor drainage and downspouts that dump water near the footing are common causes across the region.
Related Services
Popular service areas: Baltimore · Washington, DC · Arlington · Alexandria · Columbia · Frederick · Silver Spring · Wilmington · All service areas
Support Your Settling Porch or Foundation
A porch, addition or foundation that has started to settle usually keeps moving. Schedule a free inspection, and we will tell you whether helical piers are the right repair for your home.
