Yes, helical piers, or helical piles or screw piles, can absolutely support a house, provided they are properly engineered according to the building loads and soil conditions.
Techno Pieux helical piers are designed to handle a wide range of loads, from a few thousand pounds for lighter structures (decks, patios) to more than 50,000 lb per pile for larger buildings. They are therefore perfectly suited to support a standard one- or two-story home, and even more in certain projects.
Each project undergoes an engineering analysis to determine:
- the number of piles required
- their diameter and length
- the depth needed to reach load-bearing soil
During installation, the load-bearing capacity of each pile is measured and validated in real time, ensuring a reliable and safe foundation.
How is a house supported on helical piers?
There are two main ways to use helical piles for a house:
1. Helical pier foundation (without concrete)
The piers are installed directly into the ground, and the floor structure is built on top of them. This method is often used for cottages, elevated homes, or sloped terrain.
2. Helical piers under a concrete foundation
The piers are installed before building the footings or concrete slab. They transfer loads deeper into stable soil, reducing the risk of settlement and cracking. This hybrid approach combines the advantages of concrete with the stability of helical piles.
What are the advantages of helical piers for a house foundation?
Using helical piers for a house allows you to:
- ensure increased stability, even on weak or clay soils
- reduce risks related to freeze-thaw cycles
- avoid differential settlement issues
- speed up construction (no concrete curing time in some cases)
- adapt to complex terrain (slopes, limited access)
House on helical piers vs traditional foundation
| Criteria | House on helical piles | Concrete foundation |
|---|---|---|
| Load-bearing capacity | Very high (up to 50,000 lb per pile) | High but depends on soil conditions |
| Soil adaptability | Excellent (deep anchoring) | Depends on site preparation |
| Settlement risk | Very low | Higher if soil is unstable |
| Freeze / thaw | Highly resistant | Risk of cracking |
| Construction time | Fast | Longer (excavation + curing) |
| Sloped terrain | Very suitable | Complex and costly |
| Design flexibility | High | More rigid |
| Overall cost | Competitive | Variable, often higher |
Conclusion
Helical piers are a reliable, durable foundation solution perfectly suited to support a house. Thanks to their high load-bearing capacity, controlled installation, and performance in challenging soil conditions, they represent a credible, and often advantageous alternative to traditional concrete foundations.
