Irving Foundation Repair Pros connects homeowners and property owners considering steel pier foundation repair in Irving, TX with an independent local foundation company that installs them.
Steel piers are steel pipe sections driven deep into the ground beneath a foundation. Because steel pipe can be driven farther than a stack of concrete cylinders, steel piers are often chosen when a contractor wants support from deeper, more stable soil or rock.
How Steel Piers Are Installed
- A hole is dug beside the foundation beam, and a steel bracket is attached to the beam.
- Steel pipe sections are driven down through the bracket with a hydraulic ram, one section at a time.
- Driving continues until the pier reaches load-bearing strata or the required resistance.
- The house is lifted on the piers, the brackets are locked and the holes are backfilled.
When Steel Piers Make Sense
- Heavier houses, two-story homes and commercial buildings
- Soil conditions where shallow piers would not reach firm support
- Repairs where the contractor or engineer wants a measured installation pressure for each pier
Steel piers usually cost more per pier than pressed concrete piers. Whether the extra cost is worth it depends on the soil and the structure.
What to Ask
- How deep did steel piers go on other jobs in Irving, and what stops the drive?
- Will I get a record of the depth and pressure for each pier?
- Is the steel coated against corrosion?
- Will an engineer review the layout?
- What is in the written warranty, and is it transferable?
Cost
Angi's cost guide lists piers at about $1,000 to $3,000 each, and steel is generally at the higher end of what a pier costs. The total depends on the number of piers, interior access and anything else in the repair plan, such as drainage or plumbing tests.
Steel Piers on Commercial Buildings
On offices, warehouses and apartment buildings, steel piers are common because of the heavier loads involved. See commercial foundation repair for how those projects usually run.
Coated or Bare Steel
Steel piers sit in damp clay for decades. Ask whether the pipe is galvanized, coated or bare, and what the manufacturer says about corrosion in clay. Ask too whether the brackets that hold the house are the same finish as the pipe below them.
Keep any coating details with the warranty papers.
Common questions
Are steel piers better than concrete piers?
Not always. Steel can go deeper and gives a measured result for each pier, which helps on heavy or difficult jobs. Concrete piers are common and effective on many houses. The right choice depends on the soil and the building.
Can steel piers rust?
Steel in soil can corrode over time, which is why many piers are galvanized or coated. Ask what protection the contractor uses.
How many steel piers does a house need?
It depends on how much of the house has moved and how heavy it is. The contractor sets spacing after an inspection, often with an engineer's input.
Do steel piers reach bedrock?
Steel piers are driven until they reach a set resistance, which may be rock or a firm soil layer depending on the site. Ask what the contractor considers the stopping point and whether they record it for each pier.
Can steel piers be used inside the house?
Interior steel piers are possible, but equipment access is harder than at the perimeter. Many plans combine steel piers outside with another method inside. Ask what the contractor proposes.