Commercial Helical Piers for Solar, Towers, and Settling Buildings

Common uses include solar array ground mounts, towers, lift stations, new footings over weak soil, and existing buildings such as settling apartment buildings. On farms they are used under grain bins with failing foundations, and near retaining walls that are moving when nearby structures need deeper support.

Sizing comes from the geotechnical report and the engineer of record's load case. Epp proposes a layout to that design, and the engineer reviews it before installation. New buildings follow the same path with piers placed before the pour.

Helical piers address settlement. A basement or below grade wall that is bowing inward from soil pressure may need carbon fiber bracing for commercial walls or another wall system instead.

Epp's goal is permanent stabilization. Some lift may be possible depending on conditions, but lift is never promised.

When Epp underpins an existing structure with helical or push piers, the pier warranty covers the lifetime of the structure: the piers will stop further settlement of the piered area, and Epp repairs, replaces, or adjusts them at no charge if they do not. Only structures piered crack to crack, crack to corner, or corner to corner are eligible, and the warranty is not valid until full payment for the work is collected. It excludes heave or upward movement from soil expansion; consequential damage to concrete, brick, mortar, sheetrock, wallpaper, paint, rigid materials, and furnishings; and settlement from slope failure, soil creep, earthquake, flood, seismic events, tornado, or other acts of God. Ask about the warranty that applies to new foundation work. The full terms are on Epp's pier warranty certificate.