Using Perma Jack Steel Piers versus Concrete Piers &
Helical Piers for Foundation Repairs

The best method for foundation repairs has been, and probably always will be, a driven steel pier to bedrock or load bearing strata. Repair methods such as hand-dug or drilled concrete piers may do an adequate job, however, they are very messy, time consuming, expensive, and labor intensive. Even properly installed, a 28-day waiting period for concrete to harden is required. They also are dependent on the human factor of knowing whether or not they are down to bedrock or an equal load bearing strata.

Another available method of using concrete piers for foundation repairs is pre-cast short cylindrical sections of concrete. This system has many limitations and flaws due to its design. Its relatively short pieces make alignment during driving very difficult. The resistance against the soil it is being driven through is very high due to its diameter therefore limiting its ability in most cases to be driven to bedrock or load bearing strata.

Yet another method being used to correct foundation problems is helical anchors. While these anchors have a useful purpose in some situations, they seldom to never reach bedrock and are installed by screwing them into the soil to a predetermined rotational torque. The depth achieved with this method is often still in the highly active soil that is causing or allowing the foundation problem to develop in the first place.

Helical piers were designed for holding things down, not up, while they work well for tie backs on bowing walls and can be adequate for supporting some light structures (porches, etc.). The helical blade which becomes the base of the pier is still usually positioned in problem soils and may require adjustments which can be troublesome and costly. The Perma Jack System offers several products that are designed for repairs from commercial structures and residential properties to porches and fireplaces and all are designed to be driven to bedrock or load bearing strata.

Steel piers versus concrete piers

Concrete Piers are generally cheaper initially than steel driven piers, but the inability to drive to the depths needed to reach bedrock or load bearing strata create the necessity for frequent post installation adjustments since they are rooted in the expanding and contracting soil that initially caused the problem. Most concrete pier systems inadequately secure and align the pier sections. The strength of the pile is in the strength and alignment of the pier sections. Concrete piers cannot offer the same strength and reliability of alignment of pier sections as the Perma Jack System. In areas of constantly wet soil, whether from poor soil conditions or poor drainage due to improper grade around the home, concrete piers will continue to settle in the soft soil or clay. Many of these companies offer soil injections to help alleviate the problem, usually requiring service contracts for repeated treatments which significantly adds to the inconvenience and overall cost of the repair. Perma Jack foundation repairs are unaffected by such conditions since it supports the foundation with a pile driven to bedrock or equal load bearing strata which makes the repair reliable and permanent.

Protect your investment and repair your building or home foundation with confidence. Contact one of our foundation repair contractors today for a free consultation and analysis!