Planning to install a new pool?
Then you already know how important a solid foundation is, not just for keeping your pool level, but for avoiding cracks, leaks, or shifting down the line. That’s where helical piers come in.
In a state like Florida, where soil conditions can be sandy, soft, or prone to moisture fluctuations, having a reliable foundation system becomes non-negotiable. Helical piers offer exactly that: a quick-to-install, long-lasting support system that resists movement, handles tricky ground, and helps your pool stay put for years to come.
At Helicon, we’ve been helping homeowners secure their pools with helical piers since 2004. With our experience and personalized service, you’re not just getting a product; you’re getting a trusted partner.
In this blog, we will talk about:
- How helical piers work and why they’re ideal for pools
- The differences between helical piers and traditional foundations
- What you can expect in terms of installation, cost, and long-term value
Let’s break it down!
What Are Helical Piers?
Helical piers are a strong and practical foundation option designed to keep your pool steady, even in harsh soil conditions. They are made to dig deep into the ground and hold your pool securely in place, helping prevent damage from shifting or sinking soil.
Definition and Core Components
Helical piers are steel shafts with spiral-shaped plates welded along the length. These plates look like giant screws and help the piers twist into the ground easily.
The key parts are:
- Steel Shaft: The main body that drives deep into the soil.
- Helical Plates: Spiral discs that screw the pier into place and provide support.
- Connection Bracket: The top part where the pier attaches to your pool’s foundation.
Most helical piers have a corrosion-resistant coating, like galvanizing, to protect them from rust over time. This keeps them strong and durable, especially in wet or humid conditions like Florida’s.
How Helical Piers Work?
Helical piers work by being screwed deep into stable soil layers below weak or loose dirt. This gives your pool a solid base that won’t move as the ground shifts.
When installed, a machine turns the pier, letting it dig down like a giant screw. The helical plates pull the pier deeper and lock it in place.
Once installed, they carry the weight of your pool foundation evenly, preventing settling or cracking. They also do well in places with high water tables or sandy soil, keeping things secure even when soil conditions change.
The straightforward installation causes less disruption and takes less time than traditional methods.
Benefits Of Helical Piers For Pool Installation
When installing a pool, you want a foundation that stays strong and steady over time. Helical piers provide solid support, resist shifting soil, and keep your pool safe from common foundation problems.
Enhanced Structural Stability
Helical piers anchor deep into stable soil layers, far below the soft or loose surface dirt. This gives your pool a firm, level base that won’t shift as the ground moves.
Unlike traditional timber or concrete piling, helical piers are screwed into place, which means less disturbance during installation. This method ensures even weight distribution under the pool, reducing uneven settling or leaning.
With stronger support, your pool structure is less likely to crack or leak. You can also have peace of mind knowing that your pool foundation is built to handle both the pool’s weight and the weight of the water inside.
Long-Term Reliability
Helical piers are usually made from steel coated with galvanization or epoxy to resist rust and corrosion. This protects your investment against Florida’s humid and wet conditions.
The durable materials and thorough installation process mean your piers can last for decades without needing repair or replacement. The quick installation process also helps keep your project on schedule.
Since helical piers require no drying time like concrete, you can move forward with other parts of your pool build faster. This combination of strength and efficiency makes helical piers a smart long-term choice for pool foundations.
Resistance To Soil Movement
Soil can swell, shrink, or shift because of moisture changes, especially in areas like Florida, where rain cycles vary.
Helical piers move past unstable soil layers to reach firm ground that doesn’t shift. This prevents your pool from rising, settling unevenly, or cracking due to soil pressure changes. Because the piers are screwed deep into the earth, they provide stable resistance against heaving soils and moisture fluctuations.
This minimizes damage from natural soil movement and drastically lowers the risk of foundation problems over time. Your pool stays safe and level year after year.
Comparing Helical Piers To Traditional Pool Foundations
Choosing a foundation solution means looking at how it handles weight, how simple it is to install, and how long the project takes. These factors affect how secure and timely your pool construction will be.
Load Distribution Differences
Helical piers transfer weight straight to deep, stable soil layers. This helps avoid shifting and settling that can happen with softer or uneven soils near the surface.
In contrast, traditional concrete footings spread the load across a wider area but rely on the soil right below them to stay strong. If the soil moves or washes away, the concrete can crack or sink.
With helical piers, each pier is screwed into firm soil, giving you predictable support. This reliable load-bearing reduces the risk of structural issues over time. This steady support is key to long-term stability for pools where water pressure and ground movement are concerns.
Ease Of Installation
Helical piers are installed by twisting them into the ground with specialized machinery. This process needs little digging and causes minimal disruption to your yard.
The equipment is smaller and works faster, meaning less impact on the surrounding area. On the other hand, traditional foundations require digging large holes and pouring concrete, which is more invasive.
Excavation can disturb the soil around the site and may require extra work to restore the landscape after installation. Removing excess soil and waiting for the concrete to set also adds to the labor.
Helical piers are the easier option if you want a cleaner, simpler setup with less mess.
Project Timeframes
Depending on the project size, helical piers can be installed quickly, often in hours or a few days.
Because they don’t need concrete to cure, you avoid waiting days or weeks for proper setting. This allows building to continue sooner after foundation work. Traditional footing, on the other hand, involves longer timeframes due to excavation and concrete curing.
Concrete needs time to harden fully to carry loads safely, which delays the next phases of pool construction. Weather can also affect curing time.
By choosing helical piers, you can expect a faster start and finish, reducing total project time and interruptions.
Installation Process For Pools
The installation of helical piers for your pool involves careful steps that prepare the ground, position the piers precisely, and connect them smoothly with the pool construction. This ensures a strong base without extra digging or long curing times.
Site Assessment Steps
Before installation starts, your site needs a detailed check.
- Experts will examine the soil type, moisture levels, and any signs of previous shifting or instability.
- They use tools to test soil strength and locate stable layers deep under your yard. This helps decide how many piers you need and where to place them.
- This step also checks for roots, rocks, or underground utilities to avoid during installation.
A thorough site assessment means your pool foundation will rest on solid, secure ground.
Pier Placement Techniques
Next, the piers are positioned strategically around your pool area.
- Placement follows a design based on the site assessment to support the pool’s weight evenly.
- Each helical pier is screwed deep into stable soil using specialized equipment. This process causes minimal disturbance and does not require big holes or concrete curing.
- Technicians monitor installation carefully to ensure each pier reaches the right depth and alignment. This precision prevents your pool from shifting or settling in the future.
Pool Construction Integration
Once the piers are set, they serve as anchor points for the pool’s structure.
Your pool’s shell can then be built directly on or connected to these stable supports. This integration reduces the risk of cracks or movement over time caused by soil changes under Florida’s shifting ground.
Because the piers bear the load early, pool construction usually speeds up, with less waiting for foundation curing.
Cost Considerations
Choosing helical piers for your pool means understanding different costs upfront and over time. You’ll weigh initial expenses, ongoing maintenance, and the long-term value these piers bring to your property.
Initial Expenses
When you install helical piers, the price usually ranges from $2,000 to $4,000 per pier, with many projects averaging about $3,000 each. The total cost depends on how many piers are needed, the depth required, and soil conditions.
Helical piers are typically installed at around 20 feet deep, costing between $300 to $600 per pier in materials alone. Installation involves specialized equipment and labor, which adds to the price.
Still, this upfront investment protects your pool from settling or sinking over time. Keep in mind, costs may also vary based on your location and foundation needs.
Quality installation is essential to ensure your pool foundation’s safety.
Maintenance Requirements
Helical piers require very little ongoing maintenance.
They are usually made from galvanized or epoxy-coated steel, which helps resist corrosion and wear in Florida’s moist soil conditions.
Once installed, you won’t need to worry about repairs or replacement for many years. This reduces the risk of unexpected costs and gives you peace of mind.
Regular inspections every few years are recommended to check the stability, but they are quick and simple. Proper installation from the start minimizes future maintenance efforts.
Long-Term Value
Although the initial cost may seem high, helical piers offer lasting stability and protect your pool investment long-term. They prevent soil shifting that can cause cracks or damage to the pool structure.
With helical piers, you avoid costly repairs and foundation issues down the road. Their proven durability and load-bearing strength make them a reliable choice in Florida’s challenging soil.
By stabilizing your pool, you will increase your home’s overall value and avoid future foundation problems that can lower its worth.
Best Pool Types For Helical Piers
Helical piers provide strong, stable support for many pool types. They work well in different soil conditions and help keep your pool safe from cracking or shifting over time.
In-Ground Pool Applications
Helical piers are ideal for inground pools because they offer long-lasting stability.
When soil is soft or waterlogged, these piers are drilled deep to reach firm soil. This helps prevent your pool from moving or cracking due to soil changes. They can support heavy concrete or fiberglass pools, making them a versatile choice.
Installation is quick, which means less delay in your project. If you want a strong foundation that adapts to Florida’s sandy or wet soils, helical piers are a reliable option.
Above-Ground Pool Options
While above-ground pools usually don’t need deep foundations, helical piers can still be helpful in certain cases. If your above-ground pool is very large or placed on uneven, soft ground, piers provide extra support and prevent sinking or tilting.
Helical piers are easier to install than concrete pads and cause less damage to your yard. They also allow for adjustments if the soil shifts later, keeping your pool level and safe.
For above-ground pools on tricky soil, piers offer a smart, stable solution.
Environmental And Soil Benefits
Choosing the right foundation for your pool protects both your investment and the environment. It supports your pool on unstable ground while keeping the area around the site intact and healthy.
Performance In Challenging Soils
Helical piers work well in many soil types, including sandy, clay, and rocky soils.
They are designed to reach deep, strong soil layers that can support your pool’s weight. This means your pool stays level and safe over time, even if the topsoil shifts.
Because they lock into stable soil, helical piers reduce the risk of foundation problems caused by moisture changes or soil movement. This is especially important in places with soft or weak soil, like much of Florida.
Using helical piers guarantees that your pool won’t settle unevenly or crack.
Minimal Site Disturbance
Helical piers require less digging and disruption than traditional concrete foundations.
They are installed by screwing steel shafts into the soil, which means less mess and fewer disturbances to plants and landscaping around your pool. This method also reduces soil displacement. That helps keep nearby areas stable and lowers the chance of erosion or future ground shifting.
Steel piers can be removed or adjusted if needed without harming the environment as much as concrete removal would.
Choosing A Helical Pier Contractor
Picking the right contractor for your helical pier installation is important to protect your pool’s foundation.
You want someone experienced, licensed, and insured. This ensures the work is done safely and meets local building codes. Look for a contractor who has done projects like yours before. Ask for references or reviews. A trusted expert will explain the process clearly and answer your questions without confusing jargon.
Here are some key points to consider when choosing a contractor:
| What to Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Experience | Proven success in helical pier work |
| Licensing & Insurance | Protection for you and your property |
| Clear Communication | Keeps you informed every step |
| Written Estimate | Avoids surprises with costs |
A good contractor will also assess your soil and site conditions, helping create a foundation plan tailored to your pool. You deserve transparency and honest advice about your project needs. Ask about warranties or guarantees on the work.
A reliable contractor stands behind their solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Thinking about using helical piers for your pool foundation, but still have a few questions? You’re not alone. Many homeowners want to make sure they’re making the right choice—especially when it comes to something as big as a pool.
Below, we’ve answered some common questions that can help you feel more confident in your decision.
How long do helical piers last under a pool?
Properly installed helical piers can last over 100 years. They’re made of galvanized steel, which resists corrosion, even in moisture-rich soil conditions like Florida’s. That’s why they’re a popular choice for long-term structural support.
Can helical piers be used for both inground and above-ground pools?
Yes, they work for both. While inground pools benefit the most from pier support due to soil pressure, above-ground pools on sloped or unstable land can also gain stability and prevent shifting or tilting.
Will installing helical piers delay my pool construction?
Not at all. In fact, helical piers are fast to install, often completed in just a day or two. This can speed up your overall pool project timeline, especially compared to curing concrete footers or other traditional methods.
Are helical piers safe around water features?
Absolutely. Helical piers are designed to perform in wet, coastal, or flood-prone environments. They’re frequently used near seawalls, docks, and pool decks without any safety concerns.
What if the soil around my pool is already compact?
Even in well-compacted soil, helical piers can offer added peace of mind, especially for heavy loads like custom pools. Think of them as extra insurance for structural integrity over time.
