PUSH PIER
SOLUTIONS
Foundation Repair - Push Piers
When it comes to stabilizing your foundation, push piers offer one of the most effective and reliable solutions for homeowners in Denver, CO, and the surrounding areas. At Colorado Structural Repair, we specialize in the installation of push piers, providing lasting foundation support to protect your home from settling or shifting caused by unstable soil conditions. For over two decades, our experienced team has been serving the Denver metro area, addressing foundation issues caused by the region’s expansive and shifting soils.
Push piers work by driving steel shafts deep into the ground, bypassing unstable surface soil and anchoring your home to stable bedrock or solid soil layers below. This method is proven to restore and maintain your foundation’s integrity for the long term. At Colorado Structural Repair, we stand apart by offering thorough assessments, clear communication, and comprehensive, warranty-backed solutions for all our foundation repair projects. Get in touch with us today to schedule your free evaluation and learn how push piers can help your home stay strong.
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What Are Push Piers?
Push piers are a highly effective type of foundation support system used to stabilize and lift structures experiencing settlement due to shifting or weak soils, which are common in areas like Denver, CO, and throughout Colorado. These steel piers consist of high-strength shafts, typically 2.5 to 3.5 inches in diameter, that are driven vertically into the ground using hydraulic force until they reach solid, load-bearing soil or bedrock. Push piers are designed to withstand substantial pressure over time, making them ideal for long-term foundation repair.
What makes push piers particularly valuable in Denver and surrounding areas is their ability to bypass unstable surface soils like expansive clays or loose sands—soils that are prevalent in Colorado. In these regions, the freeze-thaw cycles and moisture changes can cause significant soil movement, which leads to foundation settlement. Push piers are hydraulically driven deep into the earth until they anchor into stable, competent soil or bedrock, transferring the weight of the structure onto these stable layers and halting further movement.
Unlike screw-based piers, such as helical piers, which are rotated into the ground, push piers are driven straight into the soil. This method makes them highly effective in areas where soils are dense or difficult to penetrate with rotation. The hydraulic pressure used in driving the piers ensures precision and allows for direct monitoring of depth and torque to confirm that each pier reaches the necessary depth of solid ground.
In Colorado’s varied soil conditions, including expansive clay and shifting ground found across the state, push piers offer a reliable solution for stabilizing both new and existing foundations. They provide a durable, cost-effective foundation repair option for homes, businesses, and other structures in Denver and surrounding areas, offering lasting protection against settlement and soil movement.
Push Pier Installation
The push pier installation process is a precise and efficient method used to stabilize foundations in Denver, CO, and throughout Colorado, where expansive soils and shifting ground are common challenges. The process begins with the setup of specialized hydraulic equipment, which is used to drive high-strength steel piers deep into the ground. These piers are positioned against the foundation, and hydraulic force is applied to push them vertically until they reach solid, load-bearing soil or bedrock beneath the surface.
In areas like Denver and surrounding areas, where surface soils often include expansive clays or loose sands, push piers offer a reliable solution. As the piers are driven into the ground, their depth and torque are carefully monitored to ensure they penetrate unstable surface soils and reach stable, load-bearing strata. The hydraulic system provides precise control, allowing the installation to be done efficiently while ensuring the piers are securely anchored in firm soil or bedrock.
Once the piers have reached the required depth, a steel cap is attached to the top of each pier. This cap connects the piers to the foundation. If the foundation requires lifting, hydraulic jacks are placed beneath the cap to gently raise the structure back to its original position or slightly higher. This process reverses the effects of settlement caused by unstable soils. The lift is gradual and controlled, ensuring that the foundation is stabilized without causing damage to the structure.
After the lifting process, the weight of the building is permanently transferred to the push piers, which are now securely anchored in solid, stable ground. This provides lasting support and ensures the foundation will remain stable for years to come. The installation of push piers is minimally invasive, requiring little excavation, making it a great choice for homes and businesses in urban areas like Denver, CO, where access may be limited. This method is particularly effective in regions with challenging soil conditions like Colorado, where freeze-thaw cycles and soil movement are common.
Comparison To Helical Piers
Both push piers and helical piers are used to stabilize foundations throughout Denver, CO, and surrounding areas, but they differ in their installation methods and ideal applications.
Push Piers: These are steel shafts that are driven into the ground to stabilize and lift foundations. The installation involves hydraulically driving the piers until they reach stable soil or bedrock. Push piers are ideal for lifting and stabilizing settled structures in areas where the soil conditions are particularly challenging, such as expansive clays or shifting soils.
Helical Piers: Helical piers are screw-like piles that are rotated into the ground to provide stabilization. They are particularly useful in areas with soft or expansive soils and can be used for both new construction and foundation repairs. Helical piers work best in situations where the soil is soft enough to allow for screwing the piers into the ground.
While both push piers and helical piers offer long-term solutions for foundation stabilization, the choice between the two will depend on specific factors like the soil conditions and the structure’s needs.
Alternative Foundation Solutions
In addition to push piers, there are several other foundation repair methods available for homeowners and businesses in Denver, CO and surrounding areas, depending on your property’s soil conditions and needs. Each solution offers long-term stability for foundations in areas with challenging soil, such as expansive clays and shifting ground.
Helical Piers: Similar to push piers, helical piers have screw-like threads that allow them to be rotated into the ground. This method is ideal for soft or loose soils and is especially useful when access is limited. Helical piers offer a reliable solution for stabilizing foundations while minimizing disruption, making them a great choice for areas like Colorado with unstable soil.
Concrete Piles: Concrete piles are large, reinforced foundation supports driven deep into the ground. They are perfect for heavy-duty applications that require additional load-bearing capacity, such as large commercial structures or foundations that have experienced significant settlement. In Denver, CO, concrete piles are often used in areas where the soil requires deep stabilization to support heavy structures.
Micropiles: Micropiles are smaller diameter piles that are drilled and grouted into place. They are ideal for tight spaces or areas where vibration must be minimized, making them perfect for foundation repairs in confined spaces or under existing structures.
Each of these solutions offers unique advantages depending on your soil conditions and foundation issues. To find the best solution for your needs, contact us today for a free evaluation!
Trust Colorado Structural Repair To Stabilize Your Foundation!
Ready to address your foundation concerns? Trust Colorado Structural Repair to provide a thorough evaluation and expert solution tailored to your needs. We proudly serve Colorado, including Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Longmont, Fort Collins and surrounding areas. Contact us today to schedule a free evaluation and discover how we can help secure your home’s foundation.