Overview
Push piers and helical piers are both steel piers used to stabilize foundations, but they are installed differently. Push piers are sections of steel pipe driven into the ground with hydraulic rams that use the weight of the structure as resistance. Helical piers have helix plates and are rotated into the soil with a hydraulic motor.
Because push piers rely on the structure's weight, they are often used for heavier structures. Helical piers do not depend on that weight, so they are commonly used for lighter structures like porches, additions and decks, and for new construction.
The choice depends on the structure's weight, soil conditions, access and the repair goals. Some projects use both types.
What the work usually involves
- Choosing pier type, spacing and capacity.
- Transferring load and, where planned, lifting.
- Installing and documenting each pier.
- Restoring the excavation areas.
- Comparing how each pier type would perform on the site.
Before you decide
- An engineer can help compare options independently.
- Push piers generally need enough structural weight to drive them.
- Ask why a contractor recommends one type over the other.
- Both are commonly backed by installation records.
- Helical piers can be installed with smaller equipment in some cases.
Local notes for Denver
Parts of Colorado's Front Range are known for expansive clay soils and claystone bedrock that swell when wet and shrink as they dry. That movement can affect foundations, basement slabs, driveways and sidewalks, and it is one reason many local homes are built with deep foundations or floating basement slabs.
Front Range weather brings freeze-thaw cycles, spring snowmelt and summer storms. Keeping water away from the foundation with working gutters, extended downspouts, grading that slopes away from the house and careful irrigation near the foundation is a common first step before or alongside any repair.
We take inquiries from Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Littleton, Arvada, Westminster.
What to have ready
- Have any inspection or engineer reports handy, such as from a home purchase.
- Mention any doors or windows that stick, no longer latch or show new gaps.
- Note the age of the home and whether it has a basement, crawl space or slab.
- Note where gutters and downspouts discharge and whether irrigation runs near the house.
- Say whether you are buying or selling the home, since timelines may matter.
Warning signs
- Unwillingness to explain the cause of the problem before recommending repairs.
- Vague warranty terms, or no answer about whether the warranty transfers to a new owner.
- No mention of permits for structural work where your jurisdiction requires them.
- Recommending major structural repairs without looking at drainage and grading.
- Pressure to sign the same day, or claims that a discount disappears if you wait.
How to vet a provider
- Why do you recommend this type for my house?
- What would change if you used the other type?
- Will installation records be provided?
- Are both options covered by the same warranty?
- Would an engineer review the plan?
People also ask
- Can push piers be used for decks?
- Decks and other light structures often do not provide enough weight for push piers, so helical piers are more common.
- Are both types permanent?
- Both are designed as long-term structural supports when properly installed.
- Can a project use both?
- Yes, some projects use push piers under the main house and helical piers under lighter sections.
Related topics
- Helical Piers for New Construction: How helical piles are used as foundations for new homes, additions and other structures, and what to discuss with builders.
- Helical Piles for Decks and Porches: Using helical piles as footings for decks, porches, sunrooms and light structures, and questions to ask.
- Expansive Soils and Foundations: How expansive soils affect foundations on Colorado's Front Range, and approaches to reduce movement.