Removing Heaving Deck Footings and Installing Helical Piers for Lasting Stability

When ground shifts, it doesn't just look bad - it becomes a structural problem. That's exactly what we were dealing with here. The existing deck footings had heaved over time, pushing the structure out of position and creating an unsafe situation that wasn't going to fix itself.

The first step was getting those old footings out. We brought in a CAT mini excavator to do the heavy lifting, digging down to expose the failed footings so we could remove them cleanly. That kind of excavation work has to be done carefully around an existing structure, and our crew handled it with precision.

Once the footings were out, we moved into helical pier installation. Helical piers are threaded steel shafts that get screwed down through unstable soil until they reach stable ground. They're not a patch job - they're a long-term fix that transfers the load of the structure to ground that actually holds. For decks and foundations built over soil that moves, this is the right call.

You can also see drainage pipe coming out of the excavation. Wherever soil is shifting and heaving, water is usually part of the story. Getting drainage sorted at the same time means we're not just fixing the symptom - we're dealing with what likely contributed to the problem in the first place. That combination of drainage excavation and foundation support is something we do regularly, and it matters for the longevity of the repair.

Hard work in the summer heat, but this is the kind of job that makes a real difference for a homeowner. Solid support, proper drainage, done right.