Helical Piers installation by Epp Foundation Repair
Foundation Repair · Solution · Since 1994

Helical Piers: Permanent Foundation Support on Stable Bearing Soil.

When a foundation has settled into soft or eroding soil, surface-level repairs treat the symptom. Helical piers transfer the structure's load to deep bearing soil, stopping settlement permanently, often restoring lost elevation.

Nebraska · Iowa · Kansas · Missouri Since 1994

Let's take the first step toward a healthy home.

A local specialist will inspect your foundation, walk you through the findings, and send a clear estimate. no cost, no pressure.

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How it works

What helical piers is and when it's the right call.

The mechanics are straightforward. A steel shaft with welded helical plates is rotated into the ground using hydraulic drive equipment. The plates screw through soft, unstable material until they reach soil dense enough to resist further rotation. That's the bearing zone. A bracket connects the pier to the foundation, and a hydraulic jack transfers the structure's weight to the piers. Settlement stops. Elevation is often partially or fully recovered.

Helical Piers explained by Epp Foundation Repair
Installation Process

How we install helical piers.

Step 01

Inspection & Engineering

Before any work begins, a specialist visits the site to assess soil conditions, identify the failure mode, and determine pier locations and depths. For jobs exceeding a certain load threshold, we provide a stamped engineer's drawing. Pier locations are marked and the installation plan is explained in plain language before the contract is signed.

Step 02

Excavation at Each Pier Location

A small excavation. Typically 18 to 24" wide and 24 to 36" deep. Is dug at each pier location to expose the footing. On most residential jobs, this is done by hand. No heavy equipment, no torn-up yard. The footing face is cleaned and inspected before the bracket is placed.

Step 03

Pier Installation

A hydraulic drive head. Small enough to fit through standard basement windows and doorways. Rotates the lead section and extension shafts into the ground. Installation torque is monitored in real time. When the torque reading indicates the helical plates have engaged bearing soil, the pier is cut to length and the drive head moves to the next location.

Install Sequence. Technical Illustrations

Five cross-section views of a helical pier installation

Nebraska/Iowa stratigraphy: topsoil → disturbed fill → native loess → dense bearing soil. Pier anatomy: 2-7/8" round shaft, three helical plates at lead section, U-bracket at footing. Drawn to scale.

Active crackplumblineSettlementPier locations markedLaser level. elevation recordedSTEP 01. INSPECTIONCrack pattern, width, andactive/stable status documented.Floor elevations mapped acrossthe affected foundation zone.Pier count and target depthcalculated from structure loadand soil bearing data.Stamped engineering plan producedfor permitted jobs.TopsoilFillNative LoessBearing Soil ✓Epp Foundation Repair. Helical Pier Installation Cross-Section (Illustrative, Not to Scale)
Step 01 Inspection & Engineering
18, 24" wide24, 36"TopsoilFillLoessFooting exposedSTEP 02. EXCAVATIONHand-dug at each pier location . no heavy equipment needed.Footing face exposed, cleaned,and inspected for bracket seating.Soil type at footing depthconfirms expected stratigraphyfrom pre-job assessment.Epp Foundation Repair. Helical Pier Installation Cross-Section (Illustrative, Not to Scale)
Step 02 Excavation at Each Pier Location
MRotation0'3'6'~9'~20'Lead sectionTopsoilFillNative LoessBearing Soil ✓STEP 03. INSTALLATIONHydraulic drive rotates shaft.Helical plates screw throughsoft layers into bearing soil.Torque = Capacity:Drive torque is read in real time.Target torque = confirmed bearing.All readings logged on job record.Extensions added until torquetarget reached (typically 15, 25 ft).Depth varies with soil profile.Epp Foundation Repair. Helical Pier Installation Cross-Section (Illustrative, Not to Scale)
Step 03 Pier Installation
HydraulicpressureStructureload ↓BeforeRecoverySTEP 04. LOAD TRANSFERBracket bolted to footing.Synchronized hydraulic systemloads all piers simultaneously . no single pier is overloaded.Structure weight transfers:Footing → bracket → pier shaft→ helicals → bearing soil.Controlled lift attempted . settlement often partially orfully recovered.Load path documented; torque verified.TopsoilFillNative LoessBearing Soil ✓Epp Foundation Repair. Helical Pier Installation Cross-Section (Illustrative, Not to Scale)
Step 04
Dense Bearing SoilHelicals confirmed in bearing25-YEARWARRANTYSTEP 05. RESTORATIONBackfill placed and compactedin lifts (typically 6, 8" each).Grade, topsoil, and landscapingrestored to pre-work condition.Pier system is permanent:bracket pinned to footing,helicals in confirmed bearing soil.25-year manufacturer warrantyissued; transferable at resale.TopsoilFillNative LoessBearing Soil ✓Epp Foundation Repair. Helical Pier Installation Cross-Section (Illustrative, Not to Scale)
Step 05
"“The right solution for your foundation depends on the soil, the failure mode, and the load. We engineer for permanence. Not the easiest pitch.”. Dave Epp"
Dave Epp
Dave Epp
President, Epp Foundation Repair
Why Choose Epp

Care and expertise from a team that's been doing this since 1994.

Epp Foundation Repair is locally owned and operated, with crews dedicated exclusively to foundation, basement, and concrete work across the Midwest.

Specialized expertise.

Foundation repair, waterproofing, and concrete leveling are our entire focus. not a sideline.

Locally owned since 1994.

Three decades of experience with Midwest soils, basements, and weather conditions.

BBB Integrity Award winner.

Recognized in 2011 and 2016 for ethical business practices and customer transparency.

Warrantied solutions.

Most product solutions carry 10 to 25-year warranties backed by the original installer.

EPP · SINCE 1994

Why hire Epp Foundation Repair.

MEET THE TEAM · 2 MIN
Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about Helical Piers.

Don't see your question here? Our team is happy to help. Reach out anytime.

The steel shaft and helical plates are hot-dip galvanized and rated for 75 to 150 year service life in typical Midwest soil conditions. The manufacturer warranty is 25 years and transfers with the home. In practice, a properly installed helical pier outlasts the structure it supports.

Pricing ranges above are general estimates only and are not project quotes. A precise figure is provided on each written estimate after on-site inspection.
Related Solutions

Other foundation repair solutions we install.

Every solution is engineered for a specific soil profile and failure mode. Browse the full toolkit.

Service Areas

Serving Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas & Missouri.

Local crews based in six regional offices, dispatched daily across four states. If your town isn't listed, call us. we likely serve your area.

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Our Process

Take the first step toward a healthy home.

A straightforward path from initial inspection to completed repairs.

Step 01

Schedule your inspection.

A local specialist visits your home, evaluates the foundation, and answers your questions on site. No cost, no obligation.

Step 02

Receive an estimate based on your needs.

We provide a clear, written estimate with a scope of work tailored to your home's specific issues. Typically within one business day.

Step 03

Get your repairs.

Our certified crews complete the work on schedule and back it with product warranties of up to 25 years.

Customer Reviews

Over 1,750 homeowners have shared their experience.

A 4.9-star average across Google, with verified reviews from homeowners throughout Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.

Free Estimate

Two ways to start: book instantly, or request an estimate.

Schedule your inspection in seconds with our Driive booking tool, or share a few details and a local specialist will follow up within one business day.

What to expect
  • A local foundation specialist on site
  • A complete walk-through of the findings
  • A written estimate within one business day
  • No cost, no obligation, no high-pressure sales
Prefer to call
402-423-9192
Nebraska · Iowa · Kansas · MissouriSince 1994
Epp Foundation Repair

Let's take the first step toward a healthy home.

A local specialist will inspect your foundation, walk you through the findings, and send a clear estimate. no cost, no pressure.

Book instantly with Driive
BBB Accredited
Fully Insured
"By Your Side" Guarantee
Our Locations

Six regional offices across the Midwest.

See all service areas
Lincoln, NE
Epp Foundation Repair
1133 Libra Dr
Lincoln, NE 68512
402-566-5265
Omaha, NE
Epp Foundation Repair
12305 Gold St, Ste 2
Omaha, NE 68144
402-521-5081
Grand Island, NE
Epp Foundation Repair
802 Bronze Rd
Grand Island, NE 68803
308-303-3944
Norfolk, NE
Epp Foundation Repair
1105 S 13th St, Ste 205
Norfolk, NE 68701
402-792-4092
Clive, IA
Epp Foundation Repair
2175 NW 86th St #14c
Clive, IA 50325
515-349-5562
St. Joseph, MO
Epp Foundation Repair
2400 Frederick Ave, Suite 315
St. Joseph, MO 64506
816-549-2672