Why use concrete pilings or piers for foundation repair?

Pilings or piers? Which is in fact better for your foundation repair needs. We will discuss the pros and cons to each foundation type of foundation repair method.

There are a few things you should consider before selecting between pilings or piers for your foundation repair. Almost half of failed house foundations in the North Texas area, including Dallas and Ft. Worth, have used pressed concrete pilings for foundation repair.

When properly installed, pressed concrete pilings provide good long term stability. They are a practical, low cost alternative to steel piers.

Steel piers are often better than pressed concrete piers in the Dallas Ft Worth area, as they are consistently driven to rock. Compare Steel Pier and Concrete Piling Foundation Repair Methods.

Here are 4 reasons why pressed concrete piers are offered by many foundation repair companies that do not offer steel piers for underpinning a foundation.

1. The cost of steel pier installation equipment is 5 times the cost of pressed piling foundation repair equipment. This means that the cost of getting into the repair business is much cheaper for companies that offer only pressed pilings.
2. The cost of material for a typical steel pier underpinning is 3 times that of pressed concrete pilings.
3. Most contractors do not have adequate facilities to manufacture steel pier brackets and cut high carbon tubular steel sections.
4. Less scrupulous contractors can take short cuts with pressed concrete pilings, greatly reducing installation time and cost.

In areas where the distance to rock is over 100 feet, such as much of Houston, pressed concrete pilings are a good solution for foundation repair. Pressed concrete pilings seldom go deeper than 10 to 15 feet in most of the Dallas Ft Worth Metroplex due to the high density of clay soil. Pressed steel piers go through clay like a hot knife through butter, to provide a consistently reliable foundation support system.

In dry conditions Granite Foundation Repair will water inject the soil. Water injection provides maximum pressed concrete piling depth, which equates to best long term performance.

Keep these tips in mind to help you choose between pilings or piers for foundation repair! Each foundation is unique and will be evaluated by Granite Foundation Repair for the best foundation repair method. Contact Granite Foundation Repair today for a free foundation inspection.