Why do some Foundation Experts Recommend Steel Piers over Polyurethane Foam for Structural Issues?

We recommend steel piers over polyurethane foam when a permanent, engineered structural solution is required. While polyurethane foam is an effective tool for filling voids and performing minor, non-structural lifts for concrete slabs (typically under 2 inches), it is not a permanent fix for structural foundation settlement.

Our advanced earth anchoring systems are designed to address the root cause of settlement by transferring building loads past unstable surface soils down to competent load-bearing strata or bedrock. There are three primary reasons why our engineering team and network of structural engineers prefer steel systems:

• Superior Load-Bearing Capacity: Steel helical or push piers can support loads exceeding 100 tons per pier. In contrast, polyurethane foam is generally limited to lifting slabs and supporting lighter loads, typically under 20 tons.
• Stability in Expansive or Wet Soils: In environments with high moisture or expansive clay, shallow solutions like foam can be compromised by soil movement. Steel piers bypass these active zones entirely, providing long-term durability that foam cannot match.
• Permanent Underpinning: Unlike foam, which may degrade or require re-application over time, our ICC and ISO Certified products provide a permanent foundation repair solution. Steel systems are the industry standard for perimeter foundations, load-bearing walls, and commercial columns.

Because every project presents unique geotechnical challenges, we provide Engineering Excellence and Design Support to ensure the right system is utilized.

Consult a structural engineer or the manufacturer’s engineering team for project-specific design and installation guidance. Products are certified to ICC/ISO where indicated — installations must comply with applicable building codes and ICC-ES acceptance criteria (AC358).

• Polyurethane Foam vs Steel Piers Foundation Repair: Comparison Guide