Fort Smith

Helical piles in Fort Smith, Arkansas

Fort Smith lies at the edge of the Ozarks, where the Encyclopedia of Arkansas describes sinkholes, caves, and springs formed in limestone and dolomite. Other parts of the state have highly reactive clay, which the Arkansas Geological Survey notes shrinks and swells with the seasons.

Helical piers help on both kinds of ground by reaching below active clay or loose soil and by giving the installer a torque reading that confirms each pier. Frost is shallow; Little Rock's building code criteria list 12 inches, and other communities use similar values, so confirm the figure for Fort Smith locally.

Helical pile companies serving Fort Smith

One listed company is based in Fort Smith.

• Ram Jack - AR: a Ram Jack foundation repair location serving Fort Smith and western Arkansas that offers helical and driven piles.

Costs and what to ask

According to HomeGuide, helical piers commonly cost $2,000 to $4,000 each installed across the country. In Arkansas, the depth needed to reach stable soil and the site's access are the biggest variables. Read our helical pier cost guide for what a quote should include.

Questions to put to any installer:

• Is the pile layout stamped by an engineer for karst or clay conditions?
• Will the crew log torque at every pile and hand over the log at the end?
• What are the shaft size and helix configuration, and how is the steel protected in damp soil?
• Is a permit required through the Fort Smith permitting office, and who handles it? What does the warranty include in writing?

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