Foundation Piering

Most foundation problems in Kansas City are caused by expansive clay soils and moisture changes. KC clays swell when wet and shrink when dry, creating vertical settlement, wall cracking, and bowed walls. Poor drainage, downspouts close to the home, and construction on fill can speed up movement.

Warning signs include horizontal or stair-step cracks, bowed or leaning basement walls, doors and windows sticking, gaps at ceilings or trim, sloping floors, separation where walls meet the floor, and water intrusion combined with wall movement. These are structural signals, not just cosmetic issues.

Piering transfers the weight of your home from unstable surface soils to deeper, load-bearing soils or bedrock using steel piers. Once piers are installed, the foundation can be stabilized and, in many cases, lifted back toward its original elevation.

KC Pier installs both push (driven) piers and helical piers. Push piers are hydraulically driven down using the weight of the structure and are excellent for heavier homes. Helical piers are torque-driven like a screw and are ideal for lighter structures, additions, porches, and tight-access areas.

Push piers are driven using the building’s weight to reach load-bearing strata and are great for stabilizing and lifting settled foundations. Helical piers are advanced into the soil with hydraulic torque, do not require as much building weight, and are ideal for lighter structures or new construction. KC Pier recommends the system that best fits the home, soil, and access.

Often yes. After piers are installed to stable soil, KC Pier can hydraulically attempt a lift to restore elevation, close cracks, and improve door and window function. The amount of lift depends on how long the home has been settled, structural condition, and soil conditions at the time of repair. Even when full lift is not possible, stabilization—stopping movement—is.

Costs vary by number of piers, depth, access, and whether wall or drainage work is included. Typical local ranges: $1,200–$2,800+ per pier, smaller repairs around $4,500–$8,500, and larger stabilization or combined wall and drainage projects from $9,000–$20,000+. KC Pier provides onsite inspections and written proposals.

Most piering projects take 1–2 days. Larger projects that include wall bracing, waterproofing, or more extensive access needs can take 2–4 days. KC Pier stages work to keep the property as accessible as possible.

Not every foundation issue needs piers. Lateral movement—walls bowing or leaning from soil pressure—often calls for wall braces, carbon fiber, or anchors. Vertical settlement—part of the house sinking—typically needs piers. KC Pier diagnoses whether you have lateral movement, vertical settlement, or both, and designs the right repair.

Expansive Kansas City clay soils absorb water and push laterally on foundation walls. Over time this hydrostatic and soil pressure creates horizontal cracks, inward bowing, shearing at the bottom, and leaning at the top. KC Pier uses steel braces, carbon fiber, or anchoring systems to stop movement and can straighten the wall in many cases.

Yes. Poor grading, short downspouts, and water pooling near the foundation increase soil pressure and can cause settlement or wall bowing. KC Pier often combines drainage improvements, interior drain tile, or sump pump installation with foundation repair to protect the structure long-term.

Waiting usually makes the problem more expensive. Foundation issues do not self- correct; continued movement can create more cracks, more water entry, and greater wall deflection. Early stabilization is almost always more cost-effective than waiting until a wall has to be rebuilt.

Yes. KC Pier offers warranties on foundation and piering systems, with terms outlined in your proposal. Many warranties are transferable to the next homeowner, which is helpful for Kansas City real estate transactions.

Professional, documented, and warrantied foundation repair improves marketability and helps the home pass inspection. It removes a major buyer objection and shows the issue was addressed by a local, established contractor.

Yes. KC Pier services the entire Kansas City metro on both sides of the state line, including Overland Park, Olathe, Shawnee, Lenexa, Leawood, Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, Independence, Liberty, and surrounding areas.

If you have movement—cracks, bowing, doors sticking—start with foundation repair. If you only have water, waterproofing may be enough. If you have water and movement, you may need both. KC Pier does both foundation and waterproofing, so we can recommend the right order of work.

KC Pier specializes in foundation repair, piering, wall bracing, and drainage specifically for Kansas City’s expansive clay soils. We install both push and helical piers, offer carbon fiber and steel solutions for bowed walls, provide transferable warranties, service Kansas and Missouri, and have completed thousands of local projects — all signals of real, local, specialist expertise.