Foundation Underpinning Systems
When your foundation is sinking, underpinning stops the movement and can lift your home back to level. A-Proseal installs steel push piers and helical piers that reach solid ground far below the surface.
Foundation Underpinning Stops Settling and Lifts Your Home
Underpinning is the process of driving steel piers deep into the ground until they hit solid rock or stable soil. These piers become new support points for your foundation. They transfer the weight of your home away from the weak soil near the surface and down to ground that will not shift or compress. This is the most reliable way to fix a settling foundation.
Chicago sits on layers of clay that expand and shrink with moisture changes. Many homes in Glenview, Northbrook, Arlington Heights, and Buffalo Grove were built on soil that was not properly compacted. Over time, this loose soil compresses under the weight of the house, and the foundation sinks. Underpinning solves this problem permanently by reaching past the bad soil to solid ground below.
A-Proseal uses two main types of underpinning systems. Steel push piers are driven down with hydraulic force until they hit bedrock or load-bearing soil. Helical piers are screwed into the ground like giant screws. Both types attach to steel brackets mounted under your foundation footings. Once in place, the piers can lift your foundation back toward its original level.
We have been installing pier systems across the Chicago area since 2000. Every job starts with a free inspection where we check your foundation, test the soil conditions, and design a custom pier layout for your home. Call us today to schedule yours.
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Signs Your Foundation Needs Underpinning
These are common signs that your foundation is sinking and may need pier support.
How We Underpin Foundations in Chicago
Soil Analysis and Inspection
We visit your home and check the entire foundation. We measure how far the foundation has settled, look at crack patterns, and test the soil conditions around your home. This tells us exactly how many piers you need and where to place them. You get a written report and estimate at no cost.
Pier Placement Planning
We design a custom pier layout based on your home's weight, soil type, and the amount of settling that has happened. We choose between steel push piers and helical piers depending on what works best for your property. You approve the plan before any work begins.
Hydraulic Lifting
We excavate small areas along your foundation and drive the piers deep into the ground until they reach stable soil or bedrock. Steel brackets are attached to your footings. Then we use hydraulic jacks to carefully lift the foundation back toward its original position. This is done slowly and with great precision.
Final Stabilization
Once the foundation is lifted to the proper level, we lock the piers in place permanently. We backfill all excavated areas, clean up the work site, and do a final inspection. You get a written warranty that covers the pier system for years to come. Your foundation is now sitting on solid ground.
What You Get With Our Underpinning Systems
Steel Push Pier Systems
Steel push piers are driven deep into the ground using the weight of your home as resistance. They reach bedrock or load-bearing soil far below the surface. This is the go-to solution for heavy homes on deep, unstable soil like what we find across the Chicago area.
Helical Pier Systems
Helical piers have steel plates welded to the shaft in a spiral pattern. They are screwed into the ground like a corkscrew. Helical piers work great for lighter structures and areas where the stable soil layer is not too deep. They are also very quiet to install.
Foundation Lifting
Once the piers are in place, we use hydraulic jacks to lift your foundation back toward level. Doors that were sticking may close properly again. Cracks may close up. Sloping floors can become even. Lifting restores your home and protects its value.
Permanent Stabilization
Piers transfer the weight of your home from weak surface soil to strong soil or bedrock deep underground. Once installed, your foundation will not settle any further. This is a permanent fix that lasts the life of your home.
Transferable Warranty
Every pier installation comes with a written warranty. If your foundation ever settles again in an area we repaired, we come back and fix it. The warranty transfers to the next owner if you sell, which adds real value to your property.
Minimal Property Disruption
Pier installation requires only small excavation holes along your foundation wall. We do not tear up your entire yard. Most jobs are finished in two to four days. We backfill, compact, and clean up everything when we are done.
Why Chicago Homeowners Trust A-Proseal for Underpinning
Foundation underpinning is a major job. You need a company with real experience, proven methods, and the honesty to tell you exactly what your home needs. That is what A-Proseal delivers.
Foundation Underpinning Questions Chicago Homeowners Ask
Push piers are solid steel shafts driven into the ground using hydraulic pressure and the weight of your home. They are best for heavy structures where the stable soil layer is very deep. Helical piers have spiral plates and are screwed into the ground with a machine. They work well for lighter structures or when the good soil is not as far down. Our team will recommend the right type after inspecting your property.
It depends on the size of your home, how much the foundation has settled, and the soil conditions. A small section of settling might need four to six piers. A full perimeter job on a larger home may need fifteen or more. During the free inspection, we calculate exactly how many piers are needed and where each one should go.
Yes, in most cases. Once the piers reach stable ground, we use hydraulic jacks to carefully raise the foundation. We lift slowly and check measurements at every step. Many homes can be brought back very close to their original position. Cracks often close, doors start working again, and floors level out. We will tell you how much lift is possible during the inspection.
Most underpinning projects take two to four days. It depends on the number of piers and the depth we need to reach. Helical pier jobs are sometimes a bit faster because the installation equipment is quieter and requires less setup. You can stay in your home throughout the entire process.
We dig small holes along the foundation to access the footings. Each hole is only about two to three feet wide. We do our best to protect plants, bushes, and landscaping features near the work area. After the piers are installed, we backfill the holes, compact the soil, and leave your yard looking neat. Most homeowners are surprised by how little disturbance there is.
Yes. A-Proseal serves Chicago and all the surrounding suburbs including Evanston, Des Plaines, Libertyville, Skokie, Highland Park, Lake Forest, and Wauconda. We offer free same-day estimates throughout our entire service area. Give us a call and we will get you on the schedule quickly.
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