The Difference Between GridLock Foundations And Helical Pier Foundations
Are you a contractor looking for the newest and best concrete foundation repair solutions to perform more stabilizations for homeowners in less time? You might be used to using helical piers to stabilize foundation damage, address drywall cracks, and shore up concrete walls in existing or new construction foundations. There are, however, distinct downsides to using them.
As a contractor, you always want your clients to have the best products so that you remain highly regarded and recommended. A new viable option exists that boasts unmatched strength, longevity, durability, and cost-effectiveness. GridLock Foundations has new technology products that will modernize your repair process while cutting costs.
The Similarities of Helical Piers and GridLock Stabilizers
The basic similarities between traditional foundation repair systems like push piers and helical piers and GridLock Foundations stabilizers are that they are all used for home stabilization. In addition, all can be installed within a few days under normal conditions. That, however, is where the similarities end.
What Are the Differences Between GridLock Stabilizers and Helical Piers?
Helical piers, also called helical screw piles, are steel pipes fitted with helical plates that function as giant screws. They can be screwed into the ground and then affixed with steel brackets to the foundation to provide structural support. This contrasts with push piles, which are driven into the ground using the weight of the structure.
Both helical and push piers can only be installed vertically and require permanent structures to be affixed to the home’s foundation. Both are also dependent upon load-bearing soil conditions. Push piers, in particular, are highly dependent upon the weight of the structure.
GridLock Foundations stabilizers, on the other hand, use rebar cages created from rebar mats. These snap together to form a great deal of structural support and make use of high-strength, power-vibrated concrete able to withstand 4,000-plus psi (pounds per square inch) of pressure. They can be an excellent choice for crawl space foundation repair and can be installed horizontally where needed.
Another difference is that the lifespan of GridLock systems is much longer than push and helical piers. GridLock Stabilizers are designed to last a lifetime. For more information about why GridLock foundation repair systems are light-years ahead of the competition, call us at 1-855-66-STEEL or use our contact form.
How Concrete Plays a Part in Stabilizing
The effectiveness of normal helical piers depends heavily on the type of concrete walls and the foundation type being secured. Poured concrete makes this type of foundation repair far more effective than concrete block foundations because it creates a heavier, thicker, denser anchor for the stabilizer. Concrete can crack under pressure at any point in its lifetime, especially when it is not reinforced with an adequate rebar system.
GridLock is far superior in general because it uses rebar cages with 4,000-plus psi high-strength, power-vibrated concrete, providing increased durability and longevity. GridLock stabilizers were developed over many years with structural engineers and foundation experts to provide lifelong durability in compliance with building codes. The ideal stabilizer for any project depends on the job at hand, but whenever you can use GridLock Stabilizers, you should.
Which Foundation Stabilizer Is Right for the Job?
GridLock is an ideal foundation stabilizer for many types of jobs, from small homes to large multi-floor commercial structures. Our foundation stabilizers are extremely durable and last much longer than helical piers. GridLock stabilizers can endure up to 20,000 pounds and are easy to install. They also do not require a permanent anchor in a part of the client’s concrete wall.
It is a contractor’s motto that you want the right tool for the right job, and there are times when helical piers are still the best. These include tight spaces such as chimneys and basements and new construction with poor soil quality.
Forging a New Path With Stronger Foundation Stabilizers
Several traditional methods exist for stabilizing a foundation, including helical piers and push piers. These each, however, have major downsides. Push piers, for example, cannot properly stabilize buildings with low weight thresholds because they require high pressure to set them into the ground. Such stabilizers can also only be installed vertically.
Traditional push piers require anywhere from four to 20 drive pipes, a starter pipe, a foundation bracket, and hydraulic equipment to install. They can handle from 2,000 to 10,000 pounds.
The quality of concrete with these also makes a big difference, as lower-quality concrete that does not have rebar reinforcement can deteriorate and may not provide a stable anchor. Finally, while these can last for a couple of decades and are intended as permanent, helical and push piers do not last a lifetime. In fact, lifted push piers fail often, and unlifted push piers can fail in as few as five years. Push piers need to be spaced at six feet on center.
Another issue with piers is that lift with foundation piers is not recommended at all. It causes the soil to lose contact with the foundation, eliminating support and causing damage due to load reversal. Lifted piers can be prone to resettlement, resulting in cracked masonry, drywall cracks, and other damage. In some extreme cases, serious structural failure occurs with lift piers.
GridLock Foundations stabilizers have none of these downsides. They use a rebar cage with power-vibrated concrete supported by massive soil volume. They can be installed horizontally and even placed in crawl spaces, and can be installed at 10 feet on center, meaning you require fewer for stabilization. Due to their horizontal platform, they maintain contact with the surrounding soil without undue lift. All this together offers cost-effective and superior support for buildings of all types. In fact, the GridLock difference is that our foundation stabilizers come with a 100-year lifetime hardware guarantee.
For Proven Durability and Speed, Choose GridLock
While every job is unique, the GridLock stabilizer system is an ideal way to create solid structural support for foundations regardless of whether your team is repairing a homeowner’s foundation or you are engaging in a new construction project. They were designed and tested by structural engineers for years and are the future of foundation stability in all types of buildings.
Because of the lifetime guarantee and exceptional durability, these stabilizers are cost-effective and will save property owners money in the long run, as they need little maintenance or readjustment after being placed. They do not lift foundations, and the rebar cage structure with high-strength concrete ensures support that will last a lifetime. If you can use GridLock, you should use GridLock.
GridLock systems are sold by the pallet, and only contractors trained and supplied by GridLock Foundations can install them. We offer training and onboarding for local contractors who wish to adopt our system. If you would like more information about pricing, installation, or specs surrounding the GridLock system, our team is ready to talk. Just give us a call at 1-855-66-STEEL or use our online contact form to place an order or request more information about how GridLock Foundations stabilizers are right for you.
