Other Services

Incline Tram Foundations

An incline tram foundation is a base built to support and anchor an elevator system, known as an incline tram, that is designed to transport people or items up and down steep slopes on a hillside property. In Michigan you see these on many lakeside properties to allow easier access than stairs alone.

Why place helical piers on an incline tram foundation?

• Helical piers are placed to provide stability and strength on lakeside properties or homes with steep inclines.
• Helical piers are minimally invasive and help to preserve the natural environment around the incline or slope.
• Helical piers can be placed in areas where traditional foundation solutions are simply not possible.
• Helical piers can be used, in some cases, to stop erosion. As they can be placed in a strategic pattern to resist the force of gravity and soil movement.

Seawalls

Helical pier installation is used on seawalls to provide lateral/horizontal support especially in areas where a traditional foundation solution may not be effective due to many factors.

What are the benefits of using helical piers/helical tiebacks for a seawall?

• Stability in challenging soil conditions. Waterfront locations often have soft, loose soils that traditional foundations cannot handle.
• Erosion resistance. A major concern is erosion, caused by wind, water, and other natural agents that happens over time causing unstable soil.
• Minimal disruption. Because helical piers utilize a screw like method for installation, they provide the least amount of disturbance of the surrounding environment when compared to other methods, most of which require large heavy machinery.
• Faster installation. Compared to traditional piling or concrete foundation methods helical piers install far more quickly reducing the overall project timeline.
• Adaptability. Helical piers can be used in various soil types and under many different conditions making them ideal for waterfront locations.
• Corrosion resistance. Helical piers can be made of galvanized (a protective layer of zinc) steel or other corrosion resistant materials, thus making them ideal for areas exposed to high moisture content.
• Factors of safety. The resistance pressure measurement during the installation can be used to calculate the exact capacity of the pier. This, coupled with the industry standard of utilization of a factor of safety of “2” (meaning the pier is installed to twice the required load), provides certainty of a lasting solution.

Residential Preconstruction Foundation Helical Piers

Residential preconstruction foundation helical piers are a form of foundation support system that is installed prior to construction of a new home to provide additional stability before the concrete is poured.

What are the benefits of preconstruction helical piers?

1. Stability: Prevents foundation settlement issues that could occur later in the life of the house.
2. Cost-effective: Addressing potential foundation problems proactively can save money on repairs in the future.
3. Suitable for challenging soil: Beneficial for areas such as Michigan with expansive soils, sandy soils, or rocky conditions.

Sinking Porches

Helical piers can be installed beneath a sinking porches foundation effectively lifting and stabilizing the structure. This method is useful when dealing with soft or unstable soil conditions. This method is also preferred as it has minimal disruption to the existing porch structure.

What are the benefits of using helical piers to fix a sinking porch?

1. Effective in various soil types.
2. Can lift a sinking porch back to its original position.
3. Minimal disruption to the existing porch.