Why install Piers when building a home?

🏗️What Is a Monolithic Concrete Foundation with Piers?

A monolithic concrete foundation with piers is a type of home foundation where the concrete slab and footings are poured as one continuous piece, while concrete piers are drilled deep into the ground to support and stabilize the structure. This design is especially beneficial for areas with expansive or unstable soils, as the piers transfer the building's weight to more stable soil layers below the surface, reducing the risk of shifting or settling. The monolithic slab provides a strong, seamless base, minimizing construction time and cost compared to multi-pour systems. It's also ideal for sloped lots, as the pier depths can be adjusted to accommodate elevation changes. Overall, this type of foundation offers excellent durability, structural integrity, and resistance to ground movement, making it a smart choice for residential construction.

Below, we break it down even more in detail: 

1. Monolithic Slab:

   • "Monolithic" means the slab (floor) and footings (edges of the slab that distribute weight) are poured as one continuous piece of concrete.

   • It simplifies construction, reduces labor, and provides a strong, unified base.

2. Piers:

   • These are deep cylindrical holes (which you can clearly see in the image) filled with concrete and sometimes rebar.

   • Piers extend deep into the soil to reach stable ground, anchoring the structure and reducing movement from soil shifting.

3. Combination of Both:

   • The piers handle vertical load and ground shifts (like expansive clay soils).

   • The monolithic slab provides the surface and integrates the whole system into one solid piece.

✅ Why Use This for a Home Foundation?

1. Stability on Problematic Soils:

   • If your soil is expansive, loose, or prone to moisture changes, piers help anchor the foundation below unstable layers.

2. Cost-Effective:

   • Monolithic slabs require less excavation and formwork compared to multi-pour systems.

   • It’s typically cheaper and faster to build.

3. Structural Integrity:

   • The continuous pour reduces the risk of cold joints (weak spots between separate pours).

   • Piers help prevent cracking or shifting from uneven settling.

4. Ideal for Sloped Lots:

   • Piers can be customized in depth to accommodate uneven terrain.

5. Durability:

   • With proper waterproofing and engineering, this type of foundation can last for decades with minimal maintenance.