How Resistance Piers Stabilize Settling Foundations
Foundation settlement is a serious problem for commercial buildings and large residential properties. Uneven floors, cracked walls, and stuck doors are more than cosmetic—they’re often signs of a deeper issue. When the soil under a building can’t support its weight, the structure begins to settle. This is where push piers, also called resistance piers or steel piers, become a critical solution.
In this post, we’ll explain what push piers are, how they’re installed, when they should be used, and why they’re a reliable option for foundation settlement repair.
What Are Push Piers?
Push piers (or resistance piers) are long, steel foundation supports driven deep into the ground beneath a building. They’re used to lift and stabilize structures showing signs of foundation settlement.
Each pier consists of heavy-duty steel pipe sections connected together and driven into the soil using hydraulic pressure. The weight of the building itself helps push the piers down until they reach strong, load-bearing soil or bedrock.
Once the piers are installed, a steel bracket connects the pier to the building’s footing. This transfers the building’s weight from unstable surface soils to the deep, solid layer below.
When to Use Push Piers
Push piers are ideal for:
- New construction projects where soil conditions are known to be weak or unstable, ensuring a solid foundation from the start
- Heavy buildings that provide enough weight to drive the piers deep
- Structures built on poor, shifting, or expansive soil
- Situations where precise lifting or realignment is needed
At Atlas Piers of Atlanta, we often recommend resistance piers for large structures that need deep, reliable stabilization with minimal disruption. Push piers are also an excellent proactive measure for new builds in challenging soil conditions, offering long-term stability and peace of mind.
Underpinning existing foundations with push piers is typically used when a foundation is settling unevenly. Common signs of settlement in commercial buildings include:
- Cracks in walls, brick, or concrete
- Windows and doors that no longer close properly
- Sloping or uneven floors
- Visible gaps between walls and ceilings
These are classic signs of foundation settlement that need professional evaluation.
How Hydraulic Pier Installation Works
The process of hydraulic pier installation is straightforward, but it must be done by trained professionals. Here’s an overview:
- Evaluate the Site – A foundation specialist inspects the structure to determine where settlement is occurring, how many piers are needed, and the type of soil present.
- Prepare the Footing – Small holes are dug beside the foundation to expose the footing. A steel bracket is attached to the base of the building to prepare for installation.
- Drive the Steel Piers – Using hydraulic equipment, steel piers are driven into the ground section by section. The building’s weight ensures the piers reach solid, load-bearing soil. A load test is often performed to confirm the piers’ load-bearing capacity and stability.
- Lift and Stabilize – Once all piers are in place, they are used to gently lift the building back to its original position (if necessary) and lock it into a secure, stable state. Cracks may close, and floors can be re-leveled during this step.
- Backfill and Finish – The holes are refilled, leaving the structure supported on the new pier system.
This efficient process minimizes disruption to the site and typically requires no heavy equipment.
Why Choose Steel Piers?
Not all foundation repair solutions are the same. Here’s why a steel pier system stands out:
- Depth: They can reach deep, stable soil far below the weak upper layers that caused the foundation issues.
- Strength: Made of high-grade steel, they can support heavy loads for decades.
- Speed: Installation is quick and clean, usually completed in days, not weeks.
- Minimal Excavation: Only small access areas are needed, which reduces landscape damage and jobsite disruption.
- Immediate Results: Piers provide instant load-bearing support once installed.
Compared to alternatives like concrete underpinning, underpinning with push piers is often more precise, durable, and effective in poor soil conditions.
Long-Term Benefits of Underpinning with Push Piers
Foundation issues don’t get better with time. They get worse—and more expensive to fix. By underpinning with push piers, you get:
- A permanent solution that addresses the root cause of settlement
- Protection against future soil movement
- The ability to lift and realign the structure
- Increased safety, property value, and structural integrity
Once installed, push piers work invisibly beneath the surface to support the structure. The risk of future settlement is greatly reduced, giving peace of mind to property owners, managers, and contractors alike.
Trust the Experts in Foundation Settlement Repair
At Atlas Piers of Atlanta, we specialize in foundation settlement repair for commercial and large residential projects. Our team has decades of experience using steel resistance piers to stabilize complex structures throughout the Southeast.
We understand the importance of doing the job right the first time, especially when it comes to safety and investment protection. If your building is showing signs of foundation settlement, we can help you determine if push piers are the right solution.
Ensuring Long-Term Stability with Push Piers
Push piers are a powerful tool in the hands of professional contractors dealing with serious foundation problems. When installed correctly, these resistance piers provide permanent stability by anchoring your structure to solid ground far below the surface. With a fast and low-impact installation process, hydraulic pier installation is a go-to method for underpinning with push piers in commercial construction.
Don’t wait for small cracks to turn into major structural damage. If you’re seeing signs of settlement, get in touch with a foundation expert and explore how steel piers can keep your building safe, stable, and strong for years to come.
