What Are Pressed Concrete Piers?

Many foundation repair contractors used pressed concrete piers. Pressed concrete piers are concrete cylinders that are driven to refusal in clay soil. (In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, "refusal" normally occurs around eight to fifteen feet deep and depending on the weight of the foundation and the soil moisture.)

Why are pressed concrete piers popular with so many foundation repair companies? Pressed piers are usually require less materials and less labor, thus reducing the cost of the job. Other reasons a contractor may suggest pressed concrete piers include:

• The equipment used to install pressed concrete piers is about one-fourth to one-fifth the cost of the equipment used for steel piers. (Viewed another way, it means that someone can get into the foundation repair business way cheaper when all they offer is pressed piers.)
• Along those same lines, most foundation repair contractors don't have a workshop capable of making steel pier brackets or cutting sections of high carbon tubular steel.
• And, finally, it's much easier for "ethically challenged" contractors can take short cuts when working with pressed concrete pilings, thus reducing the amount of time they spend on a job and the cost to themselves.

Here at Ace Foundation, we typically eschew pressed concrete piers and recommend either traditional steel piers or helical steel piers. We just feel that steel piers provide an overall better solution for foundation failures.

Do you have a question about pressed concrete piers? Then ask us! We'll be happy to answer your question and share the answer with others. Get even more information by visiting www.AceFoundation.com.