Helical Piers

Helical Piers Fort Lauderdale, FL

At Fort Lauderdale Seawall, we have created helical pier systems that dig deep—15 to 30 feet—into Fort Lauderdale’s tricky limestone and sandy soils. These strong steel shafts securely transfer the weight of your structure to solid ground. Plus, our marine-grade materials resist saltwater corrosion, ensuring your foundation stays strong while stabilizing settling foundations and failing seawalls. And the best part? We do all this without causing vibrations or needing extensive digging!

Our helical piers follow the Florida Building Code Chapter 18, giving you peace of mind. You’ll also enjoy savings of 25-40% over traditional concrete methods in the long run.

Ready to learn more about how we can help you secure your property? Let’s talk! Reach out the Best Seawall Contractor in Fort Lauderdale today for a consultation, and let’s make your foundation as strong as it can be!

Key Takeaways

Helical piers anchor deep into solid ground beneath Fort Lauderdale’s soft limestone and sandy soils, preventing foundation settlement and structural damage.
Marine-grade steel with protective coatings resists corrosion from saltwater, ensuring long-term durability in Fort Lauderdale’s coastal environment.
Installation takes one to three days with minimal excavation, avoiding disturbance to existing structures and allowing immediate load-bearing capacity.
Helical piers stabilize eroding seawalls by transferring weight away from weak coastal soils affected by tides and storm surges.
Lifecycle costs are 25-40% lower than traditional methods due to faster installation, reduced excavation, and immediate structural support.

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Why Choose Us?

Professional

We pay close attention to all your concerns and address them promptly. We also provide regular updates, proactively find solutions to your problems and try to deliver beyond your expectations.

Expertise

We will handle the nitty-gritty while you attend to essential matters. With our proven expertise, FTL Concrete is your go-to option. We bring unparalleled skill to every project.

Communication

We convey project details, resolve issues, and coordinate schedules. Our communication is concise, clear, and effective. Our goal is to foster collaboration and maintain strong relationships.

Understanding Helical Pier Technology and How It Works

Helical piers are strong foundation systems designed to support buildings by transferring weight from unstable soil to solid ground below.

We use steel shafts with spiral-shaped plates and install them using a method that doesn’t cause vibrations, making sure they go to the right depth.

One of the best things about helical piers is that we can adjust them after installation to lift and fix foundations that have settled, and we can do this very accurately.

They anchor deep into strong soil layers, avoiding the weak soils often found in Fort Lauderdale’s coastal areas.

The installation process requires very little digging, which helps keep existing structures safe while achieving the load capacities needed according to engineering standards and local building codes.

Common Foundation and Seawall Problems in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale has a lot of problems with foundations and seawalls. This is because the city is built on soft limestone and sandy soils, which have high water tables. These conditions can cause buildings to settle unevenly, leading to cracks and misalignments.

Seawalls also face issues. Tides and storm surges can wear away the walls and erode the soil behind them. This can cause concrete parts called deadmen to fail and weaken tiebacks, which help hold the walls in place.

We’ve even seen sinkholes form because of the limestone dissolving, which makes the ground less stable for buildings.

When the soil is too wet, it loses strength, making foundations even less stable. All of these problems mean we need strong, well-engineered foundation solutions that follow the Florida Building Code.

Why Helical Piers Are Ideal for South Florida's Coastal Soil Conditions

South Florida’s coastal area has special ground conditions that make building foundations tricky. The sandy soil is often wet, the water levels change, and saltwater can cause damage. Helical piers are a great choice for these challenges. They’re installed using advanced methods that reach strong soil layers below the unstable top layers. The helical plates dig deep into solid ground, helping to keep the structure stable even when the soil is very wet.

During installation, we monitor the torque to check the strength of the foundation in real-time. This way, we can be sure it meets safety codes.

The piers are made from marine-grade steel that has protective coatings to fight corrosion. This means they stay strong and last longer than traditional foundations, making them perfect for building in coastal areas like Fort Lauderdale.

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Helical Pier Applications for Residential and Commercial Properties

Property owners in Fort Lauderdale often face unique foundation problems. These issues need smart solutions that fit their specific needs.

We install helical piers for homes that are sinking due to sandy soils, sinkholes, or seawall damage. Our helical piers help stabilize houses by transferring weight to strong layers of soil below the weak surface.

For businesses, we’ve secured warehouses, shops, and marine facilities that require extra strength. Each project starts with a detailed soil check to ensure proper installation, following Florida Building Code rules.

We’ve supported everything from single-family homes to tall buildings, offering adjustable lifting options and lasting durability, even in Fort Lauderdale’s salty coastal air.

Seawall Repair and Reinforcement Using Helical Tiebacks

When seawalls along Fort Lauderdale’s waterfront start to break down, they can lead to serious problems, even risking total collapse. To fix this, we install helical tiebacks. These tiebacks dig deep into stable soil, beyond the damaged areas.

They’re better than old-fashioned concrete anchors because they’re stronger and can be adjusted after they’re put in place.

Our maintenance plans include checking the soil to figure out how deep and how far apart to place the tiebacks, following local building rules. This helps to stop the seawalls from leaning, shifting, or falling apart, while also helping them last longer.

We’ve seen that helical tiebacks work really well in Fort Lauderdale’s sandy and wet soil, where traditional anchoring systems often don’t hold up.

Marine Structure Support: Docks, Boat Lifts, and Boardwalks

Fort Lauderdale’s waterfront structures face strong waves, tidal shifts, and soil erosion. To keep docks, boat lifts, and boardwalks stable, we use helical pier systems. These are strong steel anchors with spiral plates that dig deep into sandy soil until they reach solid ground. This helps keep the docks steady, even in storms.

When we install boat lifts, we carefully calculate how much weight they need to support and the torque required to ensure they’re safe. The installation process creates minimal vibrations, which helps protect nearby marine structures while securing the anchors in place.

We also use coatings that resist corrosion from saltwater, which helps our structures last longer and meet the Florida Department of Environmental Protection standards.

The Installation Process: What Property Owners Can Expect

Before we start the installation, we check the soil to see how strong it’s and how deep the piers need to go. This helps us set clear expectations for the project and makes sure we follow all regulations.

The installation usually takes one to three days, depending on how complicated the site is and how many piers we need. We use special hydraulic tools to screw helical piers into solid ground, carefully measuring the torque to ensure everything is just right.

This method causes less vibration and disturbance compared to old piling methods. Property owners can expect minimal disruption to their daily activities.

Once we finish the installation, we can put weight on the piers right away, unlike concrete options that need time to cure.

Corrosion Resistance and Material Considerations for Coastal Environments

Fort Lauderdale’s waterfront properties deal with constant saltwater spray and high humidity. To protect against corrosion, we use strong marine-grade materials for all helical pier installations.

We follow strict standards for galvanization, specifically ASTM A123. Our corrosion prevention methods include hot-dip galvanized steel shafts that have a zinc coating of at least 3.3 oz/ft². We also apply epoxy powder coatings to improve resistance to chemicals and use stainless steel hardware in areas directly exposed to seawater.

To ensure our materials last, we perform durability tests based on ASTM B117 salt spray standards, aiming for over 1,000 hours of performance.

For important seawall projects, we upgrade to duplex coating systems that combine galvanization and polymer topcoats. This approach helps ensure reliable performance for many years in Florida’s tough marine environment.

Cost Factors and Investment Value of Helical Pier Systems

When looking at helical piers, it’s important to consider the materials and protection systems involved. This helps us understand the costs associated with these engineered solutions.

Our cost analysis depends on soil tests, the load capacity needed, and how deep the piers need to go. Costs can vary based on factors like the diameter of the shaft, the design of the helix plates, and whether a marine-grade coating is necessary.

While the upfront costs for helical piers can be higher than traditional foundation repairs, the benefits of investing in them become clear over time. They can last longer, require less maintenance, and help avoid repeated damage from settling.

In fact, our studies show that in Fort Lauderdale’s tough coastal conditions, helical piers can save you 25-40% on lifecycle costs compared to standard methods, especially when you also consider the savings from less excavation work.

Selecting a Qualified Helical Pier Contractor in Fort Lauderdale

How can we find skilled contractors for helical pier installation in Fort Lauderdale’s special ground conditions?
First, we check their qualifications, such as ICC certifications, training from manufacturers, and licenses from Florida.
We ask for soil reports from their past work to see load capacity and torque data.
We look for warranties that are based on engineering facts, not just sales talk.
We ask for recommendations from their previous marine and foundation repair jobs in Broward County’s coastal areas.
We set clear timelines for the project, including steps for soil testing, permits, installation, and load testing.
We choose contractors who follow the Florida Building Code Chapter 18 and local rules for waterfront construction.

FAQ About Helical Piers

Do Helical Piers Require Ongoing Maintenance After Installation in Coastal Areas?

We recommend routine helical pier maintenance for coastal installations, including periodic inspections to assess corrosion protection integrity and load-bearing performance. Marine environments accelerate degradation, so we’ll monitor your system’s structural condition to ensure code-compliant, long-term stability.

Can Helical Piers Be Removed and Reused at a Different Location?

Yes, we can remove and reuse helical piers at different locations. Helical pier installation’s reversible nature is among key helical pier benefits, allowing extraction and reinstallation when load capacities match project requirements and steel shafts remain structurally sound.

How Long Does a Typical Helical Pier Installation Warranty Last?

We typically provide warranties lasting 25-30 years for helical pier installations, though warranty duration varies based on installation factors like soil conditions, load requirements, and material specifications. Marine-grade components in coastal applications often extend coverage periods considerably.

Are Permits Always Required for Helical Pier Installation in Fort Lauderdale?

Permit requirements vary by project scope and location. We’ll evaluate your installation guidelines based on structural load, proximity to waterways, and zoning regulations. Marine applications typically require environmental permits, while interior foundation work may not need formal approval.

What Is the Average Lifespan of Helical Piers in Saltwater Environments?

We’ve documented helical piers lasting 50-75+ years in saltwater when properly galvanized or epoxy-coated for corrosion resistance. Marine life attachment minimally impacts structural integrity, though we recommend periodic inspections to verify load capacity and coating condition remain code-compliant.

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Call Your Helical Piers Expert Today!

In Fort Lauderdale, helical piers are crucial for keeping homes and buildings safe from foundation issues and seawall problems. If you’re experiencing settling ground or an unstable seawall, it’s important to work with certified contractors who follow local building codes. Our experience shows that well-designed helical pier systems can handle heavy loads—over 200 kips—while standing strong against the salty ocean environment.

We can help you choose the right materials, like hot-dip galvanized or epoxy-coated steel, to ensure your foundation lasts for years to come. We prioritize quality and durability, so you can have peace of mind about your investment.

As a business owner, I understand how important it is to protect your property. If you’re facing any issues or just want to be proactive about your foundation’s health, reach out to us today! Let’s work together to secure your home or business for the future.