United Structural Systems (USS)
Knoxville Pier Systems
Keeping Homes Dry and Stable. We Guarantee Our Best!
Repair Services
Foundation Repair
We address various foundation-related issues with precision. Our services include stabilizing sloping floors, sealing foundation cracks, and correcting foundation settlements.
Basement Waterproofing
Our waterproofing solutions, including efficient drainage systems, powerful dehumidifiers, and reliable sump pumps, are designed to keep your basement dry and damage-free.
Crawl Space Repair
Our comprehensive crawl space services include encapsulation, waterproofing, structural floor support, and mold remediation, creating a healthy and secure base for your property.
Mold Treatment
Mold and mildew thrive in the damp, humid conditions found in crawl spaces. The best way to prevent microbial growth is to encapsulate the crawl space with a vapor barrier and install a dehumidifier.
Sinkhole Repair
The goal of sinkhole repair is to stabilize the area and prevent the sinkhole from reappearing. That means finding and eliminating the cause of the sinkhole. If water caused the sinkhole – and it usually does – then we need to get the water under control.
Structural Repair
Moisture accumulation, pest infestation, and soil settling can compromise the stability of your home which can lead to damaged beams or joists and uneven floor support. USS is known for having the best structural repair contractors — Contact Us
Concrete Lifting
Sunken, tilted, or cracked concrete detracts from your property’s appearance and presents safety hazards. Our concrete lifting services address these issues head-on, restoring the functionality and safety of your concrete structures.
Brick & Lintel Repair
A brick veneer that’s crumbling or cracking is often a signal of foundation issues that will need to be repaired first. Once the underlying problem has been fixed, our brick repair experts will ensure your facade is good as new again.
Repair Services
Foundation Repair
We address various foundation-related issues with precision. Our services include stabilizing sloping floors, sealing foundation cracks, and correcting foundation settlements.
Basement Waterproofing
Our waterproofing solutions, including efficient drainage systems, powerful dehumidifiers, and reliable sump pumps, are designed to keep your basement dry and damage-free.
Crawl Space Repair
Our comprehensive crawl space services include encapsulation, waterproofing, structural floor support, and mold remediation, creating a healthy and secure base for your property.
Mold Treatment
Mold and mildew thrive in the damp, humid conditions found in crawl spaces. The best way to prevent microbial growth is to encapsulate the crawl space with a vapor barrier and install a dehumidifier.
Sinkhole Repair
The goal of sinkhole repair is to stabilize the area and prevent the sinkhole from reappearing. That means finding and eliminating the cause of the sinkhole. If water caused the sinkhole – and it usually does – then we need to get the water under control.
Structural Repair
Moisture accumulation, pest infestation, and soil settling can compromise the stability of your home which can lead to damaged beams or joists and uneven floor support. USS is known for having the best structural repair contractors — Contact Us
Concrete Lifting
Sunken, tilted, or cracked concrete detracts from your property’s appearance and presents safety hazards. Our concrete lifting services address these issues head-on, restoring the functionality and safety of your concrete structures.
Brick & Lintel Repair
A brick veneer that’s crumbling or cracking is often a signal of foundation issues that will need to be repaired first. Once the underlying problem has been fixed, our brick repair experts will ensure your facade is good as new again.
Repair Services
Foundation Repair
We address various foundation-related issues with precision. Our services include stabilizing sloping floors, sealing foundation cracks, and correcting foundation settlements.
Basement Waterproofing
Our waterproofing solutions, including efficient drainage systems, powerful dehumidifiers, and reliable sump pumps, are designed to keep your basement dry and damage-free.
Crawl Space Repair
Our comprehensive crawl space services include encapsulation, waterproofing, structural floor support, and mold remediation, creating a healthy and secure base for your property.
Mold Treatment
Mold and mildew thrive in the damp, humid conditions found in crawl spaces. The best way to prevent microbial growth is to encapsulate the crawl space with a vapor barrier and install a dehumidifier.
Sinkhole Repair
The goal of sinkhole repair is to stabilize the area and prevent the sinkhole from reappearing. That means finding and eliminating the cause of the sinkhole. If water caused the sinkhole – and it usually does – then we need to get the water under control.
Structural Repair
Moisture accumulation, pest infestation, and soil settling can compromise the stability of your home which can lead to damaged beams or joists and uneven floor support. USS is known for having the best structural repair contractors — Contact Us
Concrete Lifting
Sunken, tilted, or cracked concrete detracts from your property’s appearance and presents safety hazards. Our concrete lifting services address these issues head-on, restoring the functionality and safety of your concrete structures.
Brick & Lintel Repair
A brick veneer that’s crumbling or cracking is often a signal of foundation issues that will need to be repaired first. Once the underlying problem has been fixed, our brick repair experts will ensure your facade is good as new again.
Fixing Foundation Problems with Piers
If you've noticed cracks creeping along your foundation, walls that don't seem to sit straight, or doors and windows that just won't shut like they used to, you might be dealing with foundation trouble. These problems can be a sign that your home's foundation isn't as stable as it should be. And in Knoxville, it's no surprise why.
The clay-heavy soil beneath many homes here acts like a sponge, soaking up water during heavy rains (which the area gets plenty of, with 50+ inches of rain each year) and then drying out during dry spells. This constant cycle of expansion and shrinking stresses foundations, leading to sloping floors, sticking doors, and bowing basement walls.
Pier systems can help with foundation issues. Helical and push piers are heavy-duty tools designed to keep your foundation stable. These piers transfer the weight of your home to deeper, more solid layers of soil or bedrock. By evenly distributing that weight, they can stop your home from shifting further and prevent future problems.
At United Structural Systems, we've spent over three decades helping homeowners tackle foundation problems with lasting solutions. Whether installing helical piers for lighter structures or push piers for homes with severe settling, we have the equipment and skills to do the job right.
Learn more about how pier systems can help stabilize your Knoxville home's foundation. Call us at (423) 320-8883 or contact us online.
At no additional charge, we offer transferable lifetime warranties on our foundation repair and waterproofing services.
What Are Pier Systems?
Pier systems are underground support beams for your foundation. These long steel shafts are drilled deep into the soil around your home, far beyond the unstable dirt at the surface, until they reach the solid, load-bearing layers below. Once installed, they take on the heavy lifting by redistributing the weight of your house to the stable soil or bedrock beneath.
Think of it this way: if your foundation is sinking, it's probably because the soil closest to the surface can't handle the pressure. This shifting soil causes frustrating problems—cracks in your walls, slanted floors, and doors or windows that refuse to budge. Pier systems bypass that unreliable upper layer.
Piers work as follows:
- Deep installation: The piers are driven deep into the ground, anchoring themselves in soil or rock that's unlikely to shift.
- Secured foundation: Steel brackets connect the piers to your foundation footing, so your home rests on sturdy supports.
- Weight distribution: By spreading the weight across multiple piers, the load is evenly balanced, keeping your foundation from sinking further and preventing future settling.
Types of Pier Systems We Use
We offer two kinds of pier systems—helical and push piers—each designed to tackle specific foundation issues. Let's break them down so you can see how they work and why they're a game-changer for homes dealing with shifting or settling foundations.
Helical Piers
Helical piers look and work a lot like oversized screws. They are twisted into the ground. This process, called torque installation, drives the piers deep into the soil until they hit a stable layer. Once in place, these piers anchor your foundation to the soil or bedrock.
Push Piers
Push piers are the go-to choice when your foundation is in serious trouble. These straight steel piers are hydraulically driven into the ground until they reach deep, load-bearing soil or bedrock. Once installed, they can handle heavy loads, making them perfect for stabilizing large, sinking homes or buildings.
Signs Your Home Needs a Pier System
When your foundation isn't doing its job, your home starts showing symptoms. The good news? These signs are often easy to spot. The bad news? Ignoring them can lead to serious damage and costly repairs down the road.
Some of the most common signs that your home might need pier systems to stabilize its foundation include:
- Cracks in walls
- Uneven or sloping floors
- Sticking doors and windows
- Water intrusion
The Pier System Installation Process
Fixing a shaky foundation might sound complicated, but the process is surprisingly straightforward when you break it down. Whether your home needs helical or push piers, the goal is to stabilize your foundation and stop it from settling further.
The following is the process we use to assist with that goal:
- Inspection and assessment: We inspect cracks, measure uneven floors, and determine what's causing the trouble. This step is all about understanding the problem so we can recommend a practical solution.
- Choosing suitable piers: Your home's needs will determine whether we use helical or push piers.
- Installation and testing: We excavate sections around the foundation where the piers will go. Using specialized equipment, we install the piers deep into the ground. Steel brackets are attached to your foundation, transferring the weight of your home onto the piers.
The Benefits of Choosing Our Team for Pier System Installation
Every pier system we install is made from high-quality materials designed to last. Our experienced technicians know their stuff and will walk you through the process so you can feel confident in the solution. We combine industry-leading techniques with personalized service to deliver the service you deserve.
We offer financing plans, accept major credit cards and personal checks.
See what customers have to say about working with USS.
Our customer reviews speak for themselves.