Helicon was contacted by a homeowner in Sarasota, FL, after major stair-step cracking appeared on the back-left corner of their house. 

• The homeowner requested stabilization options and considered push piers versus soil stabilization methods.
• After evaluation, Helicon recommended underpinning with push piers as the most effective long-term solution, which the homeowner approved. 

Probable Causes of Distress: 

The damage was most likely due to a combination of soil and structural factors, including:

• Thermal expansion and contraction of building materials
• Aging of the home
• Settlement of built-up fill soils
• Shifting paragravelly sands
• Possible tree root activity affecting subsurface soils

The primary challenge was the potential for lifting the home back to its original elevation.

• Lifting results vary depending on site conditions and the severity of settlement.
• In many cases, complete foundation lift is not possible or necessary—the key is ensuring long-term stability, even if cosmetic cracks remain.
• A successful underpinning program guarantees that the foundation will not settle any further, giving the homeowner peace of mind. 

Helicon implemented an underpinning system using push piers to stabilize the foundation. 

Execution Details:

• System type: Push pier underpinning system
• Number of piers installed: 4
• Purpose: Transfer the weight of the structure from weak surface soils to competent limestone or load-bearing strata
• Outcome: Stabilized the foundation and reduced the risk of future settlement

The Results

With the underpinning system installed, the home was successfully returned to stable ground through foundation repair.

• The foundation is now permanently supported by deep load-bearing soils
• Settlement has been halted, ensuring long-term protection of the structure
• The homeowner can confidently move forward with their plans to sell the property, knowing foundation concerns will no longer impact resale value 

Why Sarasota Homeowners Choose Helicon for Foundation Repair

Helicon is trusted across the Gulf Coast for engineered foundation stabilization solutions. Our underpinning and push pier systems provide: 

• Permanent settlement prevention even in weak or shifting soils
• Custom repair strategies based on site-specific soil conditions
• Peace of mind for homeowners preparing to sell or protect their property investments

Call 844‑HELICON or fill out the form today to schedule your free foundation repair inspection.