Irving Foundation Repair Pros connects homeowners comparing pressed concrete piers in Irving, TX with an independent local foundation company that installs them.
Pressed concrete piers, sometimes called pressed pilings, are one of the most common ways North Texas slab houses are repaired. They are popular because they go in quickly, without heavy drilling equipment, and can lift a house the same day they are installed.
How Pressed Concrete Piers Work
- A hole is dug beside or under the slab's perimeter beam.
- Short precast concrete cylinders are stacked one at a time beneath the beam.
- A hydraulic jack presses each cylinder into the ground, using the weight of the house as resistance.
- Pressing stops when the column will not go deeper, a point called refusal.
- A cap and shims sit on top of the column, and the slab is lifted and held at the new height.
Where They Fit
Pressed piers work well on many single-story and two-story slab houses where the soil allows the column to reach good resistance. They are used for both exterior and interior piers. On heavier structures, or where deeper support is needed, contractors may suggest steel piers or drilled bell-bottom piers.
Questions Worth Asking
- How deep do your piers typically go in this part of Irving?
- Are the cylinders connected with a center cable or rebar, or stacked loose?
- How many piers, and where? Can I see it on a drawing?
- What happens if a pier needs adjustment later?
- What does the written warranty cover, and is it transferable?
Cost
Angi's cost guide lists piers at about $1,000 to $3,000 each, a range that covers several pier types. Pressed concrete is often toward the lower end of what a pier costs, but the total depends on how many the house needs and how many are inside.
After Installation
Expect a final set of elevation readings, backfilled holes and some cosmetic touch-up inside the house. Keeping soil moisture steady with good drainage helps the repair last.
What "Refusal" Means
Crews press each stack of concrete cylinders until the house itself resists further pushing. That point is called refusal. The depth reached varies from pier to pier with the soil, so ask for a log that records how deep each pier went.
Common questions
How long do pressed concrete piers last?
Properly installed piers are meant to be permanent, but the soil around and under the house keeps moving. Ask what the warranty covers if part of the slab moves again.
Are pressed concrete piers as good as steel?
Each fits different conditions. Pressed concrete is common for houses; steel piers can reach deeper and are often used for heavier loads. Ask the contractor why they recommend one over the other for your house.
Do interior piers mean tearing up my floors?
Interior piers are reached either by cutting through the floor or by tunneling under the slab from outside. Ask which method the contractor plans to use and how floors will be restored.
How deep do pressed concrete piers go?
They are pressed until they will not go any deeper under the weight of the house, so depth varies from pier to pier and lot to lot. Ask the contractor to record the depth reached at each pier.
How many pressed piers does a house need?
It depends on how much of the slab has moved and how the perimeter beam is laid out. Piers are spaced along the low areas. Ask for a drawing that shows each pier location.