Littleton

Helical piles in Littleton, Colorado

Swelling soil is one of Colorado's most costly geologic hazards. The Colorado Geological Survey explains that clay minerals in dry, semiarid soils expand when wetted, and that swelling bedrock formations underlie all of the major Front Range cities. Because the movement comes from moisture changes near the surface, a common fix is to bear on soil or bedrock below the zone of seasonal movement, which is what helical piers do.

On frost, Denver's adopted residential code sets a frost line of 36 inches below finished grade. Other jurisdictions set their own depths, so check the value the Littleton building office uses. Typical uses around the Denver metro include underpinning homes damaged by heaving or settling soil and deck or porch footings that must clear frost.

Helical pile companies serving Littleton

One company based in Littleton is listed.

• Helical Technology: Distributes helical piers, push piers and underpinning brackets, plate anchors and waterproofing products, trains certified installers, and offers engineering and design support.

Costs and what to ask

HomeGuide reports that helical piers cost about $2,000 to $4,000 each installed nationally, with about $3,000 typical. Colorado costs depend on how deep piers must go to get below swelling soils and how many are needed. See our helical pier cost guide for the main cost drivers. Questions to ask a Littleton contractor:

• Do you work from a site-specific soils report, and how do you handle shallow bedrock?
• Will you provide torque logs and an uplift check for the swelling soil?
• What shaft size and galvanizing are specified, and how is extra depth priced?
• Who pulls the permit, and what does the written warranty say if movement continues?

For more options, see all Colorado helical pile installers.