West Jordan Foundation Pros
Piering and Underpinning in Salt Lake City, UT
Piering and underpinning in Salt Lake City: helical piers, push piers, and load transfer brackets to stop ongoing foundation settlement.
- 15+ Years local experience
- 500+ Projects completed
- Licensed & Insured
Serving West Jordan and nearby communities.
Piering and underpinning adds deep support beneath a settling foundation when the soil near the surface can no longer hold the structure's weight. Steel piers are driven or screwed down to load-bearing soil or bedrock, then connected to the foundation through brackets that transfer the building's weight onto that deeper, stable layer. It's the step up from crack injection when a wall keeps moving instead of just showing a sealed crack.
Salt Lake Valley soil mixes clay with sandier fill depending on the lot, and Wasatch bench grading adds another variable for how water moves through that soil after snowmelt. West Jordan Foundation Pros checks soil conditions and the settlement pattern before recommending helical or push piers, since the wrong pier type for the soil just means a repeat call later.
What's included
What's included with Piering and Underpinning
Typically included: site evaluation, soil assessment, pier installation at calculated spacing, load transfer bracket install, leveling adjustment.
Optional: interior floor leveling tie-in, landscaping restoration beyond basic backfill, extended monitoring visits.
Customer prep: clear access along the foundation perimeter, move any items stored near exterior walls, utility locates on file before excavation.
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Get a Free EstimateHow it works
How our Piering and Underpinning process works
Step 1Load Assessment
The structure's weight distribution is analyzed to determine pier placement.
Step 2Access Excavation
Small excavation points are created along the foundation perimeter.
Step 3Pier Driving
Piers are driven or screwed into the ground until reaching stable strata.
Step 4Load Transfer
Brackets connect the piers to the foundation to redistribute structural weight.
Step 5Leveling Adjustment
Hydraulic equipment carefully raises the foundation to its intended position.
Step 6Site Restoration
Excavated areas are backfilled and compacted to match the original grade.
Materials
Materials and methods for Piering and Underpinning
Steel Push Piers
Deliver deep, reliable support for heavier structural loads common in older Salt Lake City homes with full basements.
Helical Piers
Provide torque-driven support suitable for variable soil conditions found across the valley floor and bench areas alike.
Underpinning Brackets
Connect piers securely to existing foundation footings for consistent load transfer.
Hydraulic Lift Systems
Used to achieve controlled and precise foundation elevation changes during leveling.
Galvanized Coatings
Protect steel components from corrosion as groundwater levels shift with spring snowmelt.
Compacted Fill Material
Used to stabilize soil around newly installed piers so the surrounding grade settles evenly.
Questions on materials?
Get a Free EstimateTimeline
How long does a Piering and Underpinning take?
Most piering jobs run a few days once permits clear, and homeowners typically don't need to move out during the work.
- 01
Site evaluation and soil check
same day - 02
Permit filing
1–2 weeksabout
- 03
Pier installation
1–3 daysdepending on pier count
- 04
Load transfer and leveling
1 dayfollows pier install
- 05
Backfill and site restoration
1 day
Need a schedule that fits?
Get a Free EstimateCodes & permits
Permits and codes for Piering and Underpinning
Confirm specifics with Salt Lake County or your city's building department, since pier count and depth can affect the permit review.
| Typically needs a permit | Often no permit |
|---|---|
| Helical or push pier installation tied to the foundation's structure | Initial soil evaluation and site inspection visits |
| Load transfer bracket work connected to the footing | Post-install monitoring checks with no further excavation |
| Excavation along the foundation perimeter for pier access | — |
Need help with permits?
Get a Free EstimateDIY vs pro
DIY vs hiring a pro for Piering and Underpinning
| DIY | Hire a pro |
|---|---|
| Watching for new cracks, door sticking, or floor slope and tracking when it started | Determining pier type and spacing, which depends on soil load calculations an inspector makes on-site |
| Keeping grading and downspouts directing water away from the foundation | Driving piers to the correct depth, since stopping short means the pier doesn't reach stable soil |
| Taking photos of visible settlement to share with a contractor | Connecting load transfer brackets correctly so weight actually shifts off the settled footing |
Not sure DIY vs pro?
Get a Free EstimateCost
What does a Piering and Underpinning cost in Salt Lake City?
Pricing scales mainly with pier count and depth required to reach stable soil, not square footage of the house. Request a free estimate for an exact pier count after a site evaluation. <!-- rover-autofix-links -->
| Project type | Typical range | What’s included |
|---|---|---|
| Localized pier support | $3,500-$8,000, | a few piers at one corner or wall section. |
| Multi-pier wall support | $8,000-$18,000, | a full wall run of helical or push piers. |
| Whole-foundation underpinning | $18,000-$40,000+ | , piers around the full perimeter. |
These are typical local ballparks — final cost depends on scope, materials, and site conditions. A free estimate gives you an accurate, itemized number for your home.
Want a number for your home?
Get a Free EstimateNext step
Get a Piering and Underpinning estimate in Salt Lake City
Call (385) 249-2801 or request a free estimate. West Jordan Foundation Pros will evaluate the settlement pattern before quoting pier count.
When to call
When to call for Piering and Underpinning
- A crack keeps widening even after a previous repair
- Doors and windows stick worse each season
- Visible foundation sinking at one corner or wall section
- Floors noticeably slope toward one side of the house
Seeing warning signs?
Get a Free EstimateBefore & after
Before and after Piering and Underpinning
Before 
After
FAQs
Piering and Underpinning FAQs
How do I know if I need piering instead of crack injection?
If a crack keeps growing, a wall is visibly out of level, or doors and windows have gotten worse over time, the foundation is still moving. Crack injection seals the opening but doesn't stop settlement, piering addresses the underlying cause.
How much does piering and underpinning cost in Salt Lake City?
It depends on how many piers the settled section needs. A localized repair at one wall runs a few thousand dollars, while a full perimeter underpinning job costs significantly more. A site evaluation gives an accurate number.
Will I need to move out during underpinning?
Most residential piering jobs don't require moving out. Work happens outside the foundation, and interior disruption is usually limited to brief access for load transfer checks.
Do I need a permit for piering and underpinning?
Yes, . Pier installation and load transfer bracket work are structural, so Salt Lake County or your local jurisdiction typically requires a permit before work starts.
What's the difference between helical piers and push piers?
Helical piers screw into the ground and work well in a range of soil types. Push piers are driven using the structure's own weight for resistance and are often used on heavier homes. Soil conditions determine which fits a given site.
Can I DIY underpinning myself?
No. Pier depth and spacing depend on load calculations a technician determines on-site. Installing piers too shallow or spaced wrong won't actually transfer the load off the settled footing.
How long does a typical underpinning job take?
Most residential jobs complete in a few days once the permit is approved, from pier driving through backfill and site restoration.
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