Concrete Pier Foundations & Pressed Pilings
Concrete piers, a foundation repair method, are also known as pressed piling or concrete piles. Concrete piers are concrete columns that are pressed into a ground of stable clay or soil to support a structure. The objective of concrete piers, or concrete pressed pilings, is to transfer the load of the structure from unstable soils to more stable clays generally found 8 to 12 feet below the surface. This weight transference is achieved via piers placed 5 to 8 feet center to center, depending upon story height and construction type. Foundation repair experts are able to place these vertical concrete piers to achieve equal weight distribution.
Benefits of concrete pier foundations
Quick Installation
Typically this method of repair can be completed in 1 to 3 days.
Relatively Inexpensive
When compared with other methods of foundation repair.
Durable
Outlasts other similar repair methods.
Almost Any Situation
Will repair most foundation problems.
Installation & construction of concrete pier foundations
INSTALLATION:
A. Site Preparation
1 – Client is informed of crew’s presence
2 – Pier locations are marked
3 – Plants, concrete, and other obstacles removed. (Only plants that need be are removed and placed in nursery buckets. Owners are
encouraged to water them daily while out of the ground and after they are planted.)
B. Excavation – Pier Construction:
1 – +/- 24″L X 24″W X 36″ deep hole is hand dug to expose exterior grade beam
2 – 6″ X 12″ cylinder is pressed one at a time until desired depth
3 – An 8″ X 8″ X 16″ solid cast block is placed center for jacking
4 – Plywood covers are placed over pier holes and a thorough clean-up is performed
LEVELING:
The purpose of this phase is to raise the piered portion of the structure to as near its original position as possible. Remember, few homes are poured/built perfectly level. There are many factors used in determining when the structure has been raised to its maximum potential. The foreman will be happy to go over these factors with you at that time.
A. Jacking:
1 – A 25 ton mechanical jack is placed on pier-head and structure is jacked as previously described
2 – Precast concrete blocks are placed on either side of the jack and steel shims are wedged between top and bottom of grade beam
3 – Holes are back-filled
4 – Concrete is patched where it was broken out
5 – On lifts of 6″ of more, a poly foam is often pumped under the slab to fill voids created by lifting the structure
6 – Plants are replanted and a thorough clean-up is performed
East Texas Slab Masters Company encourages customer participation whenever possible. We think you will find our management, office staff, foremen, and crews polite and helpful in assisting you. If you have any questions, please contact us.