Helical Piers: The Permanent Fix for Sinking Foundations

Why Foundations Sink in Boise

Several factors cause Idaho homes to settle:

• Improperly Compacted Fill: Many Treasure Valley homes were built on fill dirt that wasn't compacted properly. Over 5-15 years, this soil compresses—and your home settles with it.
• Silty River Deposits: Areas near the Boise River sit on soft alluvial deposits with poor bearing capacity. Middleton and parts of West Boise are especially affected.
• Water Erosion: Poor drainage allows water to wash away soil from under your footings, leaving them unsupported.
• Drought Cycles: Idaho's dry summers cause clay soil to shrink, removing support from under your foundation.

How Helical Piers Work

Think of helical piers as giant steel screws driven deep into the earth:

1. 1. Excavation: We dig small pits (about 3x3 feet) at each pier location along your foundation.
2. 2. Driving: Using hydraulic equipment, we screw the helical shaft into the ground. The "helix" plates pull the pier downward while we monitor torque to ensure we've reached stable, load-bearing soil.
3. 3. Bracket Installation: Heavy-duty steel brackets are attached to your foundation footing, connecting it to the pier.
4. 4. Load Transfer: Your home's weight is transferred off the failing soil onto the piers. The failing soil no longer supports anything.
5. 5. Optional Lift: Using synchronized hydraulic jacks, we can often lift your home back toward level—closing cracks and unsticking doors.

Why Helical Piers vs. Other Methods

• Immediate Load Transfer: Unlike concrete underpinning, there's no curing time. Your home is stabilized the same day.
• Works Year-Round: We can install piers in winter when the ground is frozen (concrete can't be poured).
• Minimal Disruption: Small excavation pits vs. trenching the entire perimeter.
• Verified Capacity: We monitor installation torque to mathematically prove the pier has reached stable ground.
• Transferable Warranty: Our piers come with a manufacturer's warranty that transfers to future owners.

What to Expect: Cost & Timeline

Helical pier projects typically range from $1,500-$3,000 per pier installed. Most homes need 4-10 piers depending on the extent of settlement.

• Small Project (4-6 piers): $8,000-$15,000
• Medium Project (6-10 piers): $15,000-$25,000
• Large Project (10+ piers): $25,000+

Timeline: Most residential projects are completed in 1-2 days. You can stay in your home during installation.

How to Tell if You Need Helical Piers

Helical piers are usually the right fit when movement is settlement-driven and support loss is concentrated at specific footing zones.

• Diagonal cracking that reappears after cosmetic repair.
• Doors and windows sticking across multiple rooms.
• Floor slope plus measured elevation change over time.
• Settlement linked to weak or moisture-variable soils.

Read the full decision framework at how to tell if you need helical piers.

Helical Piers vs Push Piers

Both systems can stabilize settlement, but they are not interchangeable in every structure. We compare load profile, soil behavior, and access before selecting a method.

• Helical piers: mechanically advanced, excellent for broader load and access flexibility.
• Push piers: driven using structure weight, often ideal for heavier structures.

Comparison service page: push piers.