Helical Piers for Foundation Repair
Permanent Support for Settling Foundations in Minnesota and Surrounding States
When your foundation starts to settle, the effects can creep in slowly—cracked walls, sloping floors, and stuck doors are often early signs. At SafeBasements, we offer a proven solution with helical piers—engineered to stabilize your foundation by anchoring it to solid ground beneath the surface.
As a trusted foundation repair contractor, we proudly serve homeowners across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and western Wisconsin.
What Are Helical Piers?
Helical piers, sometimes referred to as helical piles or screw piles, are long steel shafts with helical (spiral) plates that are mechanically driven into the ground until they reach stable, load-bearing soil. Once installed, a bracket is placed on top that transfers the weight so that it can permanently support your home’s foundation, preventing future movement caused by weak or shifting soils.
Helical Piers can be installed in a wide range of weather conditions and require minimal excavation or disruption to your property. The system provides immediate stabilization of your foundation—there’s no waiting period for the results to take effect. Whether supporting an entire home, a basement, or smaller structures like decks or porches, these piers deliver lasting support for both residential and commercial applications.
Signs Your Foundation May Be Settling
Foundation settlement often starts subtly, but the signs become more obvious as the problem progresses. Here are some of the most common symptoms homeowners in Minnesota and surrounding areas should watch for:
- Cracks in drywall, bricks, or basement walls
Small hairline cracks can seem harmless at first, but they often signal that your foundation is shifting unevenly. These cracks may appear around door frames, windows, or along the corners of walls, and they tend to widen over time if left unaddressed. - Uneven floors or sagging support beams
If your floors feel sloped, bouncy, or unlevel, it could be due to sections of your foundation sinking beneath the rest of the structure. This is especially common in homes built on expansive or poorly compacted soils. - Doors or windows that stick or don’t close properly
When the frame around a door or window becomes misaligned due to movement in the foundation, you may notice that it’s difficult to latch or that gaps are forming between the frame and the wall. These aren’t just hardware issues—they’re structural red flags. - Gaps appearing around window frames, baseboards, or molding
As your foundation settles, materials inside your home shift to compensate. This often creates separation between walls and trim, resulting in visible gaps or warped finishes.
If you’re seeing one or more of these signs, it’s a good idea to reach out to a foundation repair contractor near you for a professional inspection. Early intervention can save you from much more costly structural damage down the road.
What Causes Foundation Settlement?
Foundation settlement is often the result of changes in the soil beneath your home. In the Upper Midwest, weather extremes and local geology play a major role. Here are some of the most common causes we see in homes throughout Minnesota, the Dakotas, and western Wisconsin:
- Expansive clay soils
Many homes in our region are built on clay-rich soil, which expands when it absorbs moisture and contracts when it dries out. This cycle of swelling and shrinking puts constant pressure on your foundation and can cause it to move over time, especially during wet springs and dry summers. - Poor soil compaction during construction
If the soil beneath your home wasn’t properly compacted before the foundation was poured, it may compress unevenly under the weight of the structure. This can create voids beneath your foundation, leading to gradual sinking or shifting in certain areas. - Freeze-thaw cycles
Cold climate conditions bring unique challenges. Water in the soil can freeze during winter, expand, and then thaw repeatedly. This movement disturbs the ground around your foundation and weakens the support beneath it, especially if drainage isn’t well-managed. - Water accumulation near the foundation
Poor grading, clogged gutters, or ineffective drainage systems can allow water to pool near the base of your home. Over time, this moisture can erode or soften the supporting soil, creating instability that leads to settlement.
Each of these conditions can compromise your foundation’s integrity, especially when more than one is at play. That’s why it’s important to work with a local foundation repair company that understands regional soil behavior and how to stabilize it properly.
Our Helical Pier Installation Process
When you contact SafeBasements, here’s what to expect:
1. Free Evaluation
One of our licensed foundation specialists will inspect your home and determine whether helical piers are the right solution. We’ll walk you through the process and answer any questions about cost, timeline, and expected results.
2. Site Preparation
If necessary, we carefully excavate small areas near the affected sections of your foundation to access the footing. We can sometimes complete the installation without excavation.
3. Pier Installation
Using heavy machinery, we drive the steel piers into the earth until they reach solid, load-bearing strata.
4. Bracket Connection
Heavy-duty brackets are attached beneath the footing to connect your foundation to the new supports.
Why Choose SafeBasements
At SafeBasements, we bring more than 35 years of experience stabilizing foundations throughout the Upper Midwest. From rural properties near Fargo to historic homes in Hastings, our team has seen—and solved—just about every type of settlement issue caused by challenging soil and weather conditions.
We don’t rely on generic products or one-size-fits-all solutions. Every helical pier system we install is engineered to match your home’s exact structure, soil composition, and load requirements. Our licensed contractors take the time to explain what’s happening beneath your foundation and how we plan to fix it.
When you work with SafeBasements, you’re not just getting expert installation—you’re getting lasting confidence. Every pier system we install is backed by a life-of-the-structure warranty, giving you and any future homeowner peace of mind. We also offer free inspections with no pressure to commit, because we believe trust starts with transparency.
If you’re looking for a foundation repair company that knows the region, understands the risks, and stands behind every job, we’re here to help.
Ready for Real Stability?
If you’re worried about signs of settlement or simply want peace of mind, don’t wait. Contact SafeBasements™ today for a free consultation and find out whether helical piers are the right solution for your home.
