Charleston

Helical piles in Charleston, West Virginia

Charleston has steep terrain and a mining history. The West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey lists floods, landslides and subsidence among the state's common hazards, and notes that subsidence over old mines can crack walls and tilt houses.

Many homes sit on narrow hillside benches or on fill, and small tracked machines can reach them. West Virginia leaves frost depth to each jurisdiction in Table R301.2(1), commonly 24 to 30 inches or more.

Helical pile companies serving Charleston

One company in our directory is based in Charleston.

• McCloy Construction Company: is an A.B. Chance helical pier distributor and contractor for underpinning, tiebacks, heavy loads and new construction on problem soils.

Costs and what to ask

The West Virginia guide cites HomeGuide, which puts a typical installed helical pier at about $2,000 to $4,000. Hillside access and deep fill can move West Virginia projects toward the higher end. For more, see our helical pier cost guide.

When you collect quotes in Charleston, put them side by side on pier count, expected depth and warranty terms. Because slope movement, fill and mine history can change the design, ask who is responsible if conditions differ once piers are turning. Save the inspection and torque paperwork for future buyers.

• Who is the engineer of record, and did the design account for slope movement, fill and mine history?
• Will you record installation torque for every pile and give me the logs?
• What shaft size and galvanizing or corrosion protection do you use for Charleston conditions?
• Who pulls the Charleston permit, and what warranty covers the work?

For wider coverage, see West Virginia helical pile installers.