Frequently Asked Questions


We know that you will have many questions about your sinkhole/foundation repairs, pre-construction project, or commercial project. Here are some answers for you.

Residential Sinkhole Repair

Does Helicon provide a warranty? We are proud to offer an industry leading firm foundation warranty on all sinkhole services. 

How do I choose a contractor? In person interviews with a project manager from the companies you are considering for the repair will allow you to get your most important questions answered and will help you make an educated decision. 

Which repair method is better, underpinning or grouting? Both are excellent repairs, but they accomplish stabilization in two different ways. Compaction grouting is a geological remedy while underpinning is a structural remedy.  Please refer to our underpinning and grouting pages for detailed information on each service or call to speak to a project manager. 

If I do have a sinkhole, how will I determine the best way to repair it? As part of the investigation by the geotechnical engineer, a repair recommendation will be included if sinkhole activity is found.

What are signs of a possible sinkhole? Stair step cracks, windows and doors are hard to open/close, depressions in the yard, cracks in the slab, creaking noises throughout building.

How do I know if I have a sinkhole? The only sure way to know you have a sinkhole is to consult with a professional engineer. Feel free to contact us to point you in the right direction.

Residential Pre-Construction

How do I know if my property has sinkhole conditions? Developers are required — by law — to test soil conditions on a site prior to building homes or commercial property. They are not, however, required to do sinkhole testing.

Is it worth it to install pre-construction helical piers before we build a house? It is easier and more cost-effective to underpin a foundation or stabilize weak soils before a home is built. Upfront shoring of the foundation of a home can potentially offset the cost of sinkhole loss coverage over the life of the mortgage.

Who is capable of installing these pre-construction processes? Contact Helicon to find out how pre-construction helical piers can protect your new home and save you money on sinkhole insurance premiums. As a recognized leader in sinkhole remediation and with over a decade of experience, Helicon has completed thousands of successful projects.

Residential Foundation Repair

Will my landscape be damaged? Your property is important to you, which is why it’s important to us. During repairs, we take extra steps to be minimally invasive, leaving your landscaping intact.

How do you determine what needs to be done? Depending on the complexity of the home foundation problem, our professional inspector will inspect your home’s exterior and interior and take elevation readings of the interior. 

What are signs of possible foundation problems? Stair step cracks, windows and doors are hard to open/close, depressions in the yard, cracks in the slab, creaking noises throughout building.

How do I know if I have a foundation problem? The only sure way to know you have a foundation problem is to consult with a professional engineer. Feel free to contact us to point you in the right direction.

Commercial Market

Does Helicon have much experience in the foundation and soil stabilization industries? Helicon is a foundation and ground improvement expert. The company has been an industry leader for over 10 years. We are driven by a desire to be the best in the industry. In speed, safety, and quality we don't just meet the standard, we set the standard and exceed our client's expectations every step of the sinkhole repair process. We extensively train and invest in our Helicon teams, equipping them with the state-of-the-art tools and expertise needed to execute a flawless experience.

How much does a helical pile/anchor cost? The size and shape of the shaft you need for any given application depends on the magnitude of the load capacity needed and the strength/properties of the soil you are screwing them into. Accordingly, to determine what the cost of your pile would be, we would need to know the magnitude of the load to be resisted, the application and the site-specific soils data. 

What kind of training does Helicon’s staff have? Helicon maintains a strong team of in-house contractors with advanced training. On-site workers in Helicon all undergo a rigorous training program. When a Helicon installation team arrives on your work site you can rest assured that you’ll be dealing with one of the most well trained and experienced teams in the industry.

How do I know what pile type to use for my project? The easy answer is contact Helicon.  We can analyze your project information and provide you with the pros and cons of each type of foundation as well as pricing for each option.  From their we are able to provide your project with stamped foundation drawings, pile supervision, inspection and schedules, and actual pile installation.  

I need a mix of helical piles and concrete piles on this job and I’d prefer to use a single vendor. Do you handle other types of foundations? Helicon is truly a one-stop shop for all your deep foundation and soil stabilization projects. We can assist our customers with their any foundation needs.

What areas does Helicon cover?  Helicon has completed projects all over the state of Florida. We are always open to opportunities to bring our expertise to help make a project succesful.

 

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