Little Rock

Helical piles in Little Rock, Arkansas

Little Rock sits in a state with pockets of reactive clay. The Arkansas Geological Survey notes that Porters Creek Clay, a highly expansive unit, outcrops along the Fall Line from near Hope to Arkadelphia and intermittently from Malvern to near Batesville. Other clay soils in the state also shrink and swell with the seasons.

The city's building code design criteria list a 12-inch frost line, so pier depth is driven by clay and bearing soil rather than freezing. Soft alluvial soils and high groundwater along the major rivers are another reason builders look at deep foundations.

Typical local uses include underpinning houses on shrink-swell clay, new deck and porch footings, and light commercial structures. Because piers are screwed in rather than poured, work can proceed without waiting for concrete to cure.

Helical pile companies serving Little Rock

The directory lists one company based in Little Rock.

• Foundation Specialties: an Arkansas design-build contractor for helical piles, micropiles, underpinning and ground anchors, mainly on commercial and civil projects.

Costs and what to ask

HomeGuide puts installed helical piers at about $2,000 to $4,000 each, with most near $3,000. In Arkansas, the depth needed to reach stable soil and site access are the biggest variables. More in our helical pier cost guide.

• Have you worked on Porters Creek Clay or other expansive soils, and does an engineer set the depth?
• Will each pier come with a torque and depth record?
• What shaft diameter, helix configuration and galvanizing are in the bid?
• Does the Little Rock permit fee sit in the quote, and what does the warranty cover if movement continues?

See Arkansas helical pile installers for installers elsewhere in Arkansas.