Foundation Repair Guide
Push Piers vs Helical Piers: Which Foundation Repair Method Is Right for Your Home?
A comprehensive comparison of the two most effective foundation underpinning systems. Learn how each works, when to use them, and what they cost.
When your foundation needs underpinning—the process of extending the foundation to more stable soil—you'll typically choose between two systems: push piers and helical piers. Both are proven solutions backed by decades of engineering, but they work differently and excel in different situations.
In this guide, we'll explain exactly how each push pier system and helical pier system works, compare their costs and capabilities, and help you understand which is right for your Colorado home.
What Is a Push Pier?
A push pier (also called a resistance pier or hydraulic pier) is a steel foundation support system that's driven deep into the ground using the weight of your existing structure. The pier consists of heavy-duty steel tubes that are hydraulically pushed through unstable soil until they reach bedrock or load-bearing strata.
How Push Piers Work
- Excavation: Small holes are dug at intervals along the foundation footing.
- Bracket Installation: Heavy-duty steel brackets are attached to the foundation footing.
- Pier Driving: Steel tubes are hydraulically driven through the brackets, using the home's weight as resistance, until they reach stable soil or bedrock.
- Load Transfer: Once at depth, hydraulic jacks transfer the home's weight from unstable soil to the piers.
- Lifting (Optional): If the foundation has settled, the jacks can lift it back toward its original position.
Push Pier Advantages
- • Reaches greater depths (often 50+ feet to bedrock)
- • Higher load capacity per pier
- • Uses the structure's weight to verify load capacity during installation
- • Excellent for heavy structures
- • Can lift and stabilize simultaneously
What Are Helical Piers?
Helical piers (also called screw piles or helical anchors) are steel shafts with helical plates welded to them—think of a giant screw. They're mechanically rotated into the ground until the helical plates reach load-bearing soil, then connected to the foundation with steel brackets.
How Helical Piers Work
- Site Assessment: Soil conditions are evaluated to determine proper helix size and depth.
- Installation: A hydraulic torque motor rotates the pier into the ground like a screw.
- Torque Monitoring: Installation torque is monitored to verify the pier has reached adequate bearing capacity.
- Bracket Connection: Steel brackets connect the pier to the foundation.
- Load Transfer: The foundation's weight transfers through the brackets to the helical plates in stable soil.
Helical Pier Advantages
- • Faster installation with less excavation
- • Works in limited-access areas
- • Immediate load-bearing capacity
- • Can be installed in any weather
- • Removable and reusable if needed
- • Ideal for new construction and lighter structures
Push Piers vs Helical Piers: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Push Piers | Helical Piers |
|---|---|---|
| Installation Method | Hydraulically driven using structure weight | Mechanically screwed into soil |
| Typical Depth | 20-100+ feet (to bedrock) | 10-30 feet |
| Load Capacity | Higher (up to 100+ kips) | Moderate (typically 25-75 kips) |
| Best For | Heavy structures, deep bedrock | Lighter structures, new construction |
| Installation Speed | 1-3 days typical | 1-2 days typical |
| Excavation Required | Moderate | Minimal |
| Lifting Capability | Excellent | Good |
| Cost Per Pier | $1,000 - $3,000+ | $800 - $2,500 |
When to Use Push Piers vs Helical Piers
Choose Push Piers When:
- • Your home is heavy (multi-story, brick/stone construction)
- • Bedrock is very deep and you need maximum depth
- • You need significant lifting to restore the foundation level
- • Soil is extremely soft and a push pier can reach stable strata faster
- • Maximum load capacity is required
Choose Helical Piers When:
- • Access is limited (interior piers, confined spaces)
- • The structure is lighter (single-story, wood frame)
- • Load-bearing soil is within 10-30 feet
- • New construction needs deep foundations
- • Speed is critical and soil conditions are favorable
- • You're building additions or decks
Colorado-Specific Consideration
In Colorado, our expansive clay soils and variable bedrock depths mean both systems are commonly used. Many Colorado Springs and Denver homes benefit from push piers due to the significant settling our soils cause. However, helical piers work well when stable soil can be reached at moderate depths. A proper soil assessment determines the right choice.
Push Pier vs Helical Pier Cost Comparison
Foundation repair costs depend on many factors beyond just pier type: the number of piers needed, depth to stable soil, accessibility, and whether lifting is required.
Push Pier Costs
- • Per pier: $1,000 - $3,000+
- • Typical project: $8,000 - $30,000
- • Complex projects: $30,000 - $50,000+
Helical Pier Costs
- • Per pier: $800 - $2,500
- • Typical project: $5,000 - $20,000
- • Complex projects: $20,000 - $40,000+
Note: The "cheaper" option isn't always the best value. If helical piers can't reach stable soil at your site, or don't have adequate load capacity, they'll fail regardless of initial cost. Always get a professional assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can push piers and helical piers be used together?
Yes, many projects use both. For example, push piers might support the main structure while helical piers support a lighter addition or porch.
How long do push piers and helical piers last?
Both systems are designed to be permanent solutions. Quality galvanized steel piers can last 75+ years. Most manufacturers offer lifetime transferable warranties.
Will foundation piers affect my home's resale value?
Properly installed piers with transferable warranties often increase home value compared to a home with unrepaired foundation issues. Buyers appreciate knowing the problem is fixed permanently.
How do I know which pier system I need?
A professional foundation inspection and soil assessment will determine the right solution. At Foundation Professionals of Colorado, we provide free inspections and honest recommendations—sometimes that means recommending a competitor if they're better suited for your specific situation.
The Bottom Line
Both push piers and helical piers are proven, effective foundation repair solutions. Push piers excel when you need maximum depth and load capacity, while helical piers offer faster installation and work well for lighter structures and limited-access sites.
The right choice depends on your home's weight, soil conditions, depth to stable strata, and budget. Don't let a contractor push you toward one system without explaining why it's right for your specific situation.
Not Sure Which System Your Colorado Home Needs?
Schedule a free foundation inspection. We'll assess your soil, structure, and situation, then recommend the right solution—with no pressure.