Helical Pier Installation in Cedar Rapids, IA

Cedar Rapids homes and buildings face some of the toughest foundation challenges in Eastern Iowa. From heavy clay soils to fluctuating groundwater levels along the Cedar River, shifting and settling foundations are a common issue throughout the region. When these problems arise, you need a solution that doesn’t just patch the symptoms – you need a fix that will last for the life of the structure.

Tomlinson Cannon has been stabilizing foundations since 1948, and our helical pier installation service is one of the most dependable ways to restore structural integrity. We install Grip-Tite® helical pier systems, engineered for strength, precision, and long-term performance in Iowa’s soil conditions.

Whether your foundation is sinking, shifting, or failing due to unstable soil, helical piers offer a permanent way to anchor your structure into load-bearing earth. Our team brings decades of experience to every project, ensuring Cedar Rapids homeowners receive a straightforward evaluation, professional installation, and results that stand the test of time.

What Makes Helical Piers So Effective in the Cedar Rapids Area?

Cedar Rapids sits on a mix of clay, loam, and fill soils – layers that can shift significantly with moisture changes. Flooding, drought, freeze-thaw cycles, and poor drainage all contribute to settlement issues. Shallow concrete footings often struggle in these conditions because they rely on the uppermost soil layers, which are the least stable.

Helical piers solve this by anchoring the structure deep below the problem soils. The Grip-Tite® systems we install are designed specifically to reach stable strata well beneath the surface, providing a reliable support point that will not shift with weather patterns or soil movement.

These systems are ideal for:

• Lifting portions of a sinking foundation
• Preventing further settlement
• Stabilizing failing foundation walls
• Supporting new construction where soil is soft or uncertain
• Securing decks, additions, garages, and more

When installed correctly, helical piers provide an engineered, lasting solution that outperforms shallow concrete footings in both performance and reliability.

How Tomlinson Cannon Installs Helical Piers

With more than 75 years of experience in foundation stabilization, we’ve refined an installation process that is efficient, precise, and minimally disruptive.

1. Foundation Evaluation

We start with a thorough inspection of the property. We look for settlement patterns, check soil conditions, evaluate structural stress, and determine how much of the foundation is affected. Our assessments are always straightforward – no upselling, no alarmist tactics.

2. Engineering and Pier Layout

Once we identify the problem areas, we create a plan detailing the number and placement of Grip-Tite® helical piers required. The layout is based on structural load, soil depth, and the projected movement of the foundation.

3. Site Preparation

We dig small access points along the foundation to expose areas where the pier brackets will be mounted. Because helical piers don’t require large-scale excavation or concrete work, the disruption to the yard is minimal.

4. Installing Grip-Tite® Foundation Piers

Using hydraulic drive heads, we screw the steel shafts into the earth until they reach load-bearing depth. Each pier’s torque is continuously measured, giving us a precise indication that the pier is securely seated in stable soil.

5. Lifting and Stabilizing the Foundation

If lifting is part of the project, we carefully raise the settled section of the foundation back toward its original elevation. Once the structure is aligned, we secure the brackets and lock everything into place.

6. Backfill and Cleanup

After installation, we backfill all excavated areas and restore the site. The result: a stable foundation supported by Grip-Tite® components and a property that looks nearly untouched.

Why We Install Grip-Tite® Helical Pier Systems

We’ve worked with many foundation products over the decades, and Grip-Tite® systems consistently meet our standards for strength, consistency, and engineering reliability. These systems are:

• Proven  –  used in residential and commercial projects for more than 90 years
• Engineered  –  designed to meet strict load and depth requirements
• Durable  –  manufactured from high-strength, corrosion-resistant steel
• Accurate  –  torque readings confirm real-time load capacity
• Versatile  –  effective for both repairs and new construction

Helical piers give us the confidence that once your foundation is stabilized, it stays that way.

When Cedar Rapids Property Owners Should Consider Helical Piers

If you’re seeing any of the following signs, helical piers may be necessary to stop settlement and protect your home:

• Diagonal or stair-step cracks in foundation walls
• Floors that slope or feel uneven
• Windows and doors that stick
• Gaps forming between walls and ceilings
• Basement walls leaning or bowing
• Cracks in drywall or plaster
• Portions of the foundation visibly sinking or dropping

Even minor cracks can indicate deeper soil issues beneath the surface. Helical piers address the root cause – not just the cosmetic symptoms.

Helical Piers for New Construction in Cedar Rapids

Tomlinson Cannon also installs Grip-Tite® foundation piers for new building projects. In areas with uncertain or soft soil, they offer a dependable alternative to traditional concrete footings.

Builders choose helical piers because:

• They provide instant load-bearing support
• They eliminate delays caused by concrete curing
• They install cleanly in tight or sensitive areas
• They reduce the risk of future settlement problems
• They outperform concrete in moisture-prone or expansive soils

We install piers for additions, garages, decks, porches, walkways, commercial structures, and more. If you’re building on land where soil quality is questionable, helical piers offer long-term stability from day one.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Helical Piers

While every project is different, Cedar Rapids homeowners often want to understand how helical piers compare to concrete footings. Here’s a straightforward look at the tradeoffs:

Advantages

1. Immediate Support: Helical piers support weight right after installation, unlike concrete, which can take several days to cure.
2. Superior Performance in Poor Soil: They anchor deep into stable soil, bypassing layers that expand, shrink, or erode.
3. Minimal Disturbance: Installation requires only small excavations and no large concrete forms or trucks.
4. Effective in Nearly All Weather: Concrete pouring requires ideal conditions; helical piers do not.
5. Can Lift Sunken Foundations: Concrete footings can’t raise a sinking structure; helical piers can.

Disadvantages

• Higher Material Cost: Steel systems are more expensive than concrete, though often offset by faster installation.
• Requires Specialized Installers: Improper installation can compromise the entire system. That’s why choosing an experienced company like Tomlinson Cannon matters.
• Challenging in Rocky Soil: Though uncommon in Cedar Rapids, dense rock layers can limit installation depth.

Why Cedar Rapids Chooses Tomlinson Cannon

For more than 75 years, we’ve been Eastern Iowa’s trusted foundation specialists. Our team brings a level of experience that only generations of service can provide. When you choose Tomlinson Cannon, you get:

• A clear, no-pressure assessment
• Installation led by seasoned professionals
• Products backed by engineering standards
• Solutions tailored to Cedar Rapids soil conditions
• Work done the right way, without shortcuts

We believe in protecting your home from the foundation up – because your home deserves a stable base, and you deserve peace of mind.

Protect Your Foundation with a Reliable Solution

If your Cedar Rapids home is showing signs of settlement or you’re planning new construction, helical piers may be the right choice. Tomlinson Cannon installs Grip-Tite® foundation pier systems designed for long-term strength and stability.

Secure your home with a foundation solution built to last. 

Contact Tomlinson Cannon today to schedule an evaluation.