Have you noticed large cracks in your foundation walls and/or doors not closing properly? Are there pools of water accumulating near the exterior of your home during heavy rains or snow melt? If so, it’s time to investigate what’s going on under your floor. It could be time for installing foundation piers.

But how do they work? Foundation piers are a good way to help reduce settlement problems in residential properties caused by soil conditions which can lead to cracking masonry, bowing walls, and door alignment issues.
In this post, we will explain how do foundation piers work and why they should be installed if necessary by finding out important factors such as pier types, placement, installation steps–and more! Keep reading to find out!
How Many Types of Piers Foundation Available
There are many different types of foundation piers. Each type has different characteristics, features, and advantages. The most common pier types include helical, slab-on-grade, steel push piers, concrete drilled piers,s, and caissons.
1. Helical Piers:
Helical piers are the most versatile type of foundation pier. They are made from steel shafts with helix-shaped plates attached to them, which allow them to be screwed into the soil like a screw. The helical plates help distribute the load evenly and reduce the settling of your foundation.
2. Slab-on-Grade Piers:
Slab-on-grade piers are designed to transfer a load of your foundation directly to the soil beneath. These piers are typically used when a concrete slab is placed directly on top of the soil, and they are made from steel or concrete with an additional reinforcing mesh.
3. Steel Push Piers:
Steel push piers are suitable for heavier structures such as homes built on expansive clays or silts since they can provide greater resistance to movement. They are made of steel and use hydraulic pressure to push the piers into the soil, providing greater stability.
4. Concrete Drilled Piers:
Concrete drilled piers are designed for heavier structures such as commercial and industrial buildings with large load-bearing walls or columns. They are made of reinforced concrete and use a drilling machine to install them into the soil.

5. Caissons:
Caissons, also known as “drilled piers”, are designed for heavier structures such as commercial and industrial buildings with large load-bearing walls or columns. They are made from reinforced concrete and use a drilling machine to install them into the soil.
A Detailed Discussion About How Do Foundation Piers Work
Foundation piers are a fascinating invention that can solve a lot of problems when it comes to the structural integrity of your building. These piers are placed beneath your property to provide additional support and stability to your foundation. They work by transferring the weight of your home or building to stronger, more stable soil layers or bedrock, allowing your foundation to rest on a firm and secure platform.
Whether used in residential or commercial construction, foundation piers offer long-lasting solutions that will give you peace of mind when it comes to the safety and stability of your building. By providing additional strength and support to your foundation, foundation piers can help prevent expensive damage and repairs that can result from soil movement, moisture, or other environmental factors.
Step by Step Instruction on How to Install Piers Foundation
1. Excavate Around Your Foundation Area:
The first step is to excavate around your foundation and remove any soil that may be blocking access to the pier locations. This will help ensure a safe and secure installation of your piers. This step is best left to a professional contractor or engineer who has experience installing foundation piers.

2. Place the Piers:
Once the area is cleared, it’s time to place the piers in their designated locations. When placing your peers, be sure to follow all local building codes and any other guidelines provided by your pier manufacturer. The piers should be placed deep enough to provide support but not so far that they penetrate any underground utilities or other structures.
3. Connect the Piers:
Once the piers are in place, you will need to connect them with either steel or concrete beams, depending on the type of pier used and the structure of your building. This step should be done with the utmost care and attention to detail, as incorrect installation can lead to costly repairs in the future.
4. Backfill:
Finally, once all of the piers are connected, you will need to backfill them with soil or sand. This will help ensure that your foundation is properly supported and that your building is protected from any further shifting or movement. After all of the soil has been replaced, your foundation should be ready for use.

Installing foundation piers is a complex and detailed procedure that should only be done by experienced professionals. If you’re looking to have a pier installed on your property, it’s best to contact an engineer or contractor who can provide expert advice and assistance throughout the process. Foundation piers can provide long-lasting stability and support to your building, so it’s important to make sure they are properly installed. With the right installation method and materials, you can rest assured that your foundation will be secure for years to come.
How Do You Placement Your Piers Foundations?
Foundation piers are designed to transfer the weight of a structure from its foundation to deeper, more stable soil. This is done by drilling or driving shafts into the ground and then pouring grout or concrete around these shafts. Proper placement of these piers is critical to ensure that the structure is adequately supported.
When installing foundation piers, the first step is to assess the soil conditions. This should include testing for moisture content and compaction density. The soil profile should also be examined to determine if there are any issues with drainage or erosion that could affect the piers’ stability over time. Once all of this information is collected, it can be used to determine the depth and spacing of the piers. Generally, deeper piers spaced closer together provide more support than shallower piers spread farther apart.
Once the soil conditions have been assessed and the pier placement locations determined, holes should be drilled or cored into the ground at each location. The size and number of holes will depend on the size and type of pier being used. It is important to ensure that each hole is deep enough for the pier to be adequately supported. After drilling, concrete or grout should be poured into each hole. This will encapsulate the piers and keep them in place while providing additional support.
Foundation piers offer a strong and effective way to support a structure. However, they must be properly placed to ensure that they provide adequate support. By assessing the soil conditions, determining an appropriate depth and spacing for the piers, drilling holes at each location, and pouring concrete or grout around them, foundation piers can be installed correctly and effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Foundation Piers?
Foundation piers, also called “underpinning” or “pier and beam foundations”, are a type of structural support used to reinforce and strengthen existing building foundations. They are typically made from concrete and steel bars and can be installed underneath an existing foundation to create a more solid foundation.
What Are the Benefits of Installing Foundation Piers?
The primary benefit of installing foundation piers is that they provide an extra layer of structural support to the existing foundation, which can help prevent further damage and make your building stronger overall. Foundation piers also improve the stability of a building, reduce the settling or sinking of the foundation, and can even help level out an uneven foundation. Additionally, since foundation piers provide extra strength to the existing structure, they are often used in earthquake-prone areas to increase the life of a building.

What Are the Potential Drawbacks of Installing Foundation Piers?
One potential drawback to installing foundation piers is that they can be expensive and time-consuming to install correctly. Additionally, since foundation piers are installed beneath the existing structure, there may be disruption or damage done to the existing foundation during installation. Lastly, since the soil conditions in each location are unique, there is always a chance that the chosen piercing system may not be suitable for your particular area or building. In these cases, it is important to consult with an experienced contractor or engineer before beginning any work.
Conclusion
After reading this blog post, you should have much more insight into how do foundation piers work. They are an essential part of stabilizing the foundation of your home or office building, and it’s important to understand the role they play. If you’re ever presented with the option of installing them, it may be worth considering the added stability that comes with them.
Make sure when you do decide to install them, you hire a professional that has experience in using this material. Not only will they know what type of pier is best suited for your project, but they’ll also know how to effectively install them safely. Contact a specialist today if you feel like your building could benefit from additional stability-you won’t regret it!