Polyurethane foam is generally not recommended for structural foundation stabilization. While it is an effective tool for slab jacking—which involves lifting non-structural concrete like sidewalks, driveways, or interior slabs with less than 2 inches of settlement—it lacks the capacity to support the perimeter foundations or load-bearing walls of a settling home.
For a permanent solution, we utilize foundation underpinning via steel pier systems. The primary differences include:
- Load-Bearing Capacity: Polyurethane foam is typically limited to lighter loads (under 20 tons). In contrast, our Helical Piers provide a load-bearing capacity that can exceed 100 tons per pier.
- Depth and Stability: Foam injection is a shallow correction that may degrade over time, especially in expansive clay or high-moisture soils. Our steel piers transfer the building’s load past unstable surface soils down to competent load-bearing strata or bedrock.
- Engineering Standards: Our Helical Pier Systems and Push Piers are ICC and ISO Certified products with ICC-ES documentation, ensuring they meet the highest industry standards for permanent structural support.
Because every project has unique soil conditions and structural requirements, we recommend a site-specific geotechnical evaluation. We provide Engineering Excellence and Design Support through our network of structural engineers to ensure your repair is built to last.
Note: Consult a structural engineer or our engineering team for project-specific design and installation guidance. Installations must comply with applicable building codes and ICC-ES acceptance criteria (AC358).
Related FAQs
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Why does the Cost of Foundation Underpinning Vary so Drastically between Different Residential and Commercial Properties?
Read More »: Why does the Cost of Foundation Underpinning Vary so Drastically between Different Residential and Commercial Properties?The cost of foundation underpinning varies drastically because every project involves a unique combination of geological, structural, and logistical variables. According to Helical Technology, there is no fixed price per foot because a thorough on-site evaluation is required to account…
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Does the Inclusion of Geotechnical Engineering and Design Support Help Reduce the Long-term Cost of Foundation Underpinning Projects?
Read More »: Does the Inclusion of Geotechnical Engineering and Design Support Help Reduce the Long-term Cost of Foundation Underpinning Projects?Yes, the inclusion of geotechnical engineering and professional design support is critical for reducing the long-term costs and risks associated with foundation underpinning. According to the provided content, this support helps optimize project expenses through several key mechanisms: Related FAQs
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What Factors Most Significantly Influence the Total Cost of a Foundation Underpinning Project?
Read More »: What Factors Most Significantly Influence the Total Cost of a Foundation Underpinning Project?The total cost of a foundation underpinning project is influenced by several critical site-specific variables and structural requirements. Because every project is unique, costs are determined by the interaction of the following factors: Additionally, the choice of method plays a…
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How does the Choice between Helical Piles and Traditional Concrete Piering Methods Affect Overall Project Costs?
Read More »: How does the Choice between Helical Piles and Traditional Concrete Piering Methods Affect Overall Project Costs?The choice between helical piles and traditional concrete piering significantly impacts overall project costs through differences in materials, labor, and installation speed. While the two methods address similar structural issues, their financial profiles vary in several key areas: Related FAQs
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Can a Foundation Experience both Settlement and Heaving at Once?
Read More »: Can a Foundation Experience both Settlement and Heaving at Once?Yes, a foundation can experience both settlement and heaving simultaneously or sequentially over time. This dual movement is particularly common in regions with expansive clay soils or significant seasonal moisture variations. According to the provided technical guide, this combined movement…