Des Moines

Helical piles in Des Moines, Iowa

Frost runs deep in Iowa. The City of Des Moines deck handout states that frost depth is 42 inches. Helical piles reach below that with small equipment, and their helix plates resist the uplift that frost heave puts on shallow posts.

Western Iowa has some of the thickest windblown silt in the country. The Iowa Geological Survey describes the Loess Hills along the Missouri River, and loess can lose strength when wet. Elsewhere, glacial till and river-valley soils determine how deep piles need to go.

There is no concrete to cure, so deck and addition framing can start right away, even in cold weather.

Common central Iowa uses include deck and porch footings, supporting new additions and garages, and basement repair, where brackets attach to the existing footing from outside or inside the home.

Helical pile companies serving Des Moines

The directory lists one company serving Des Moines.

• Techno Metal Post of Iowa: a helical pier dealer serving central Iowa for decks, additions, homes and garages.

Costs and what to ask

HomeGuide lists a national range of about $2,000 to $4,000 per installed helical pier. Iowa prices depend on depth, pier count and whether work is inside a basement or outdoors. Our helical pier cost guide shows how to compare estimates.

• Does the design clear the 42-inch Des Moines frost depth, and does an engineer set final depth?
• Will you provide torque logs for each pier?
• What shaft size and galvanizing are in the bid?
• Who pulls the Des Moines permit, and what does the warranty say?

See Iowa helical pile installers for companies across Iowa.