Broken Arrow

Helical piles in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Expansive soil is the main foundation concern in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Geological Survey notes that more than 75 percent of the state's bedrock units are possible sources, and that smectite clays can swell to 1.5 to 2 times their dry volume when wet. Wet springs followed by hot, dry summers drive repeated heave and settlement under slabs.

Oklahoma's code leaves the frost line to the local jurisdiction. Oklahoma City and Tulsa commonly use 18 inches, according to a compilation by FootingDepth, so confirm the figure for Broken Arrow. On expansive clay the engineer usually considers both the depth of the active zone and uplift on the shaft, then sets the required torque.

Helical pile companies serving Broken Arrow

One company is based in Broken Arrow.

• Powerlift Foundation Repair: repairs foundations with steel piers in Oklahoma, Arkansas, North Carolina and Tennessee; helical work is only weakly indicated in its summary.

Costs and what to ask

National figures from HomeGuide show installed helical piers at about $2,000 to $4,000 apiece. Oklahoma jobs vary with the number of piers, depth to stable soil, and access. Read our helical pier cost guide for what a quote should include.

Questions to put to any installer:

• Will a licensed engineer design the piles on expansive clay, and can you see the calculations?
• What installation torque will be logged for each pile, and will you receive the torque records?
• What shaft diameter and wall thickness are proposed, and is the steel galvanized in clay?
• Who pulls the permit with the City of Broken Arrow, and what does the written warranty cover?

For the wider picture, see our page on Oklahoma helical pile installers.