Volatile soil conditions make the Dallas Metroplex a prime area for foundation disruption and damage. As the clay-rich soils of North Texas expand and contract, in close coordination with the rainfall cycle, concrete foundations will begin to heave and sag, leaving them susceptible to cracks and other foundation problems. This constant cycle of contraction and expansion can compromise the structural integrity of the foundation, putting an enormous stain on the commercial building or home it was intended to support.
When early-stage foundation damage is left unaddressed, it can set off a catastrophic chain reaction that could leave your business or home in desperate need of repairs. If you run a commercial enterprise or lease commercial property, significant foundation damage could force you to close your doors for weeks, disrupting your business. The best way to avoid stoppages in business operations is to address emerging foundation problems at the first sign of trouble. There are a variety of methods to repair foundation damage, and helical piers can often be one of the most effective ways to get the job done.
Helical piers are long, extendible, cylindrical support shafts made from non-corrosive galvanized steel. Welded to the shafts are sharpened, curving steel plates known as helixes , angled to allow progressive ground penetration through machine-driven rotation. Unlike augers that carve out a hole as they turn, helical piers do not displace prodigious quantities of soil, making installation a relatively quick and mess-free process.
Like concrete piles or push piers, helical piers are installed vertically, under commercial buildings or homes to lift and stabilize sagging foundations. Helicals are bend and break-resistant, and can support even the heaviest of structures.
While the helical plates are designed to facilitate deep-ground penetration, that is not their only purpose. They offer additional structural support to the shaft assembly by passing load-bearing responsibility into the surrounding soil, where they are firmly anchored on the horizontal plane.
