What are helical piers?
Helical piers are large screw-shaped steel shafts twisted deep into undisturbed soil to support, lift, or stabilize a foundation suffering from settlement or structural movement.
A helical pier is a steel shaft with helical plates (blades) welded along its length, twisted into the ground like a giant screw to reach stable, undisturbed soil layers beneath a settling foundation. The blades grip and displace soil as the shaft turns downward, creating bearing capacity that can support and lift a structure. Contractors install helical piers using hydraulic equipment that rotates the shaft until it reaches the required depth and torque resistance, typically 10 to 30 feet below the surface depending on site geology.
Helical piers work best when a foundation has settled unevenly, cracked, or shifted due to soft clay, fill material, or moisture changes in the upper soil. By transferring the building's weight to stable bearing soil, they stop active settlement and can gradually raise sunken areas. In Rock County basements and crawl spaces, where clay and glacial soils are common, helical piers offer an alternative to traditional piering or underpinning when structural support is combined with moisture control. The piers can be installed from inside or outside the structure without extensive excavation, making them a practical option for older homes or properties with limited access. Once installed, helical piers are permanent and require no maintenance, providing long-term stability for residential and light commercial foundations.