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How to Install Helical Piers

Written By

Carmen

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Are you seeking an efficient, cost-effective way to reinforce your home’s foundation? Installing helical piers can provide a solution.

These subterranean supports are designed to stabilize structures against lateral shifts and downward pressure, providing support in weak or unstable soil.

How to Install Helical Piers

Helical piers are an invaluable tool when it comes to reinforcing and stabilizing your structure. Whether you’re building a new home, installing a retaining wall, or even wanting to secure decorations around your front porch for extra support, helical piers can provide the strength and stability necessary for success.

In this post, we’ll discuss how to install helical piers step by step, look at their benefits over other forms of reinforcement, and explore how they can be employed in various applications around the home. So let’s get started!

What Will You Need?

In order to install helical piers, you will need the following:

  • Helical Pier System: These can be purchased in a variety of sizes and configurations.
  • Hammer Drill: For drilling into the soil or rock beneath your structure.
  • • Torque Monitor: To measure how much torque is applied during installation.
  • Level: To ensure the piers are installed in a straight line.
  • Tape Measure: To measure distances between piers and other objects.

Now that you have all of the materials necessary to install helical piers, you can start the installation process.

10 Easy Steps on How to Install Helical Piers

Step 1. Mark the Area:

Start by marking the area where you want to install the helical piers. You can use stakes or a chalk line to do this. Ensure that the area you are marking is large enough for the piers to fit comfortably.

Step 2. Drill Holes:

Will Need to Drill Holes

Next, you will need to drill holes in the piers. Use a hammer drill and ensure that each hole is at least twice the diameter of the pier you use. Be careful not to drill too deep, as this can disrupt the stability of the ground below.

Step 3. Insert Piers:

Once the holes have been drilled, place each pier into its respective hole. Make sure that each one is firmly seated and level before proceeding to the next step. Don’t forget to use a torque monitor to check the amount of torque applied.

Step 4. Secure With Torque Monitor:

Using a torque monitor, secure each pier in its respective hole by applying the correct amount of torque required for that particular application. Continue this process until all piers are securely in place. If necessary, adjust the torque levels periodically to ensure that each pier is firmly seated.

Step 5. Add Brackets/Plates:

Brackets Can Be Used

After all piers are installed, add brackets or plates on top to provide additional support if necessary. This will help ensure that the helical piers stay in place and don’t move around. Additionally, plates and brackets can be used to provide additional reinforcement.

Step 6. Level Piers:

Using a level, ensure that all of the piers are installed in a straight line and at the same height. This will help reduce any potential for movement or settling once the project is complete. Try to keep the piers at least 3 inches apart from one another.

Step 7. Backfill Soil:

Once all piers have been securely installed, backfill the soil around each one to provide additional stability and support to your structure. Make sure that you compact the soil as you go along. This will help ensure that the piers stay in place and don’t move around.

Step 8. Connect Structures:

Now connect any materials, such as beams, posts, walls, etc., depending on your particular application. Ensure that they are connected correctly and securely before proceeding to the next step. You can use bolts, screws, or other fasteners to do this.

Step 9. Check Levels:

Once all of the connections have been made, use a level to check that everything is installed correctly and at the appropriate height. Make any necessary adjustments before proceeding. It is important because any irregularities could cause potential problems in the future.

Everything is Installed Correctly

Step 10. Enjoy Your New Structures:

Now you can admire your newly reinforced structures! With helical piers, you can be sure that your foundation is safe and secure for years to come. Remember, these piers can be used in a variety of applications, so feel free to use them for any project you may have!

By following these easy steps on how to install helical piers, you can be sure that any structure around your home will have extra strength and stability. Make sure to consult with a professional before starting your project, and happy installing!

5 Additional Tips and Tricks

  1. Wear Safety Gear: Be sure to wear protective clothing, gloves, and goggles when installing helical piers. This will help protect your skin and eyes from dust, dirt, and other debris while working.
  2. Measure Carefully: To ensure a secure helical pier installation, take precise measurements to determine the depth you need to go before driving in the pier.
  3. Check Your Work: After driving on the pier, ensure it is secure by rocking it back and forth with your hands. If there is any movement or instability, remove the pier and re-drive it until it is 
  4. secure.
  5. Level the Pier: Once you are satisfied that the pier is installed correctly, use a leveler to check for the proper placement of the steel bracket attached to the top of the pier. This will help ensure that the structure is properly supported and will not shift over time.
  6. Support: If you are unsure of installing helical piers correctly, seek assistance from a professional contractor or engineer who can provide guidance and support throughout the process. This will help ensure the job is done safely and correctly the first time.

By following these tips and tricks, you can be sure your helical pier installation will be secure and stable for many years!

5 Things You Should Avoid

  1. Avoid overdriving at the pier. When installing a helical pier, you should drive it slowly and carefully to ensure that it is securely installed. If you drive too quickly, you risk damaging the equipment or the surrounding environment.
  2. Avoid driving more than one pier at a time on a single machine. Each pier needs its own dedicated machine to be properly installed.
  3. Avoid using improper torque settings when tightening attachment hardware, as they can cause damage to the structure and ultimately reduce its effectiveness.
  4. Avoid using helical piers without verifying soil conditions with a professional engineer or contractor specializing in deep foundation installation projects with helical anchors/piles. Properly assessing soil composition will ensure that your project is installed correctly and with the most appropriate equipment.
  5. Avoid attempting to install helical piers in areas where there may be underground utilities or other obstacles that could damage the structure or equipment during installation. Always check for potential hazards prior to starting any project involving helical piers.

Follow these tips, and you will be on your way to a successful installation of your helical pier!

Can You Install Helical Piers by Hand?

Yes, you can install helical piers by hand, but it is not recommended. While driving on the pier manually is possible, this is a very labor-intensive process. It requires physical strength and endurance to be able to insert the pier into the soil properly.

Additionally, manual installation does not guarantee as much precision or accuracy as a mechanical device would provide.

For most projects involving helical piers, we strongly recommend using a machine that is specifically designed for these types of installations. The machines come with adjustable torque settings and will make sure that each pier is driven with the correct amount of force and at the exact depth required for your project.

Recommend Using a Machine

Using an appropriate machine will also minimize any potential damage to the environment during the installation process.

In summary, helical piers can be installed by hand, but it is not recommended due to a machine’s lack of precision and accuracy. We suggest using a machine for most helical pier installations as it will save time, and energy and provide you with better results.

Conclusion

Installing helical piers is a relatively simple process that is typically not complicated or difficult. It’s important to remember the importance of following all safety precautions, particularly when performing any digging or construction.

Most importantly, a reliable professional should always be consulted before beginning any helical pier installation project.

With the proper tools and knowledge, helical piers can provide excellent support for existing structures and are often the preferred choice due to their relative cost-effectiveness compared to other foundation repair methods.

Installing them yourself with some help from a manual is certainly possible if you have the diligence and motivation to do so carefully, but more involved projects may be better left in the hands of an experienced contractor.

Hopefully, the article on how to install helical piers helped provide you with a better understanding of the process and what it entails. Good luck, and stay safe!

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