helical piles underpinning repairs

20+ Years of Engineering Excellence

Helical Piles for Structural Underpinning

Get a Quote

Engineered Support for Sinking Foundation Footings

When part of a foundation begins to settle, the visible damage above ground is often only a symptom of what is happening below. Cracks, uneven floors, sticking doors and separation around walls can develop when the soil beneath the footing is no longer providing reliable support. Structural underpinning reinforces the affected area by transferring the structural load to stronger soil below.

DiamondTech Piles uses engineered helical piles for structural underpinning. Each steel pile is installed beside the existing footing and advanced through weaker upper soil until the required support is reached. A custom underpinning bracket connects the pile to the foundation, allowing the load to be transferred from the existing footing into the helical pile system.

Our team provides structural underpinning throughout Bradford, the GTA, Simcoe County and surrounding Ontario communities. Every project is based on site conditions and project-specific engineering requirements, with installation torque recorded to confirm pile performance.

foundation repair underpinning
foundation repair using helical piles
foundation repair underpinning
foundation repair using helical piles

Structural Underpinning With Helical Piles

Structural underpinning does not always require excavating and rebuilding large sections beneath a foundation. Helical piles allow support to be added where settlement is occurring, making it possible to reinforce specific areas of the structure. The piles extend beyond unstable surface soils and create a new load path to deeper, stabler ground.

When Structural Underpinning May Be Needed

  • Part of the foundation is continuing to settle
  • Foundation or masonry cracks are widening or returning
  • Floors, walls, doors or windows are moving out of alignment
  • An inspection identifies inadequate support beneath the existing footing

When Structural Underpinning May Not Be Needed

  • Cracking is limited to normal concrete shrinkage
  • The issue is cosmetic with no evidence of continued movement
  • Water or drainage is causing the problem rather than settlement
  • The existing footing and supporting soil remain structurally sound
Request a Structural Inspection

What Our Clients Say

EXCELLENT
★★★★★
Based on 37 reviews
Google
Heather Curzon 4 days ago
★★★★★

Working with Trevor and his team has been a seamless and stress free experience. They aligned with our vision and transformed our space quickly and efficiently. We are new to the technology of helical piles and were unsure of what they are capable of. Trevor was thorough and confident with his explanation; the effectiveness and ease of installation sold us! We are excited to enjoy our new sunroom addition and deck for years to come without worry of foundation or footing issues.

Matthew Gordash 2 weeks ago
★★★★★

While planning a deck build for a friend, I reviewed the planning and steps needed for the 6 nessesary concrete piers and flared bottoms. It was going to be a big job. A friend recommended DiamondTech and after getting the quote, it was a no brainer to move forward with helical piles. Great communication from Chelsea, and very accurate and professional install team. Could not be happier.

Hanne 2 weeks ago
★★★★★

We’re very happy with this company. Two skilled professionals installed the helical piles were very polite, friendly and did excellent work. Definitely a five star review

Rob Redden 1 month ago
★★★★★

In the beginning phases of a project we were working on we noticed the supporting posts of the upper deck had become rotten and unstable during excavation. Our client was concerned about delays this may cause to our project. I reached out to the team at DiamondTech Piles and connected them with our client. Our client had a quick and detailed conversation, received a quote and a timeline to deal with the urgent matter. The crew at DiamondTech were punctual, courteous and accommodating while they worked along side our crew. Communications with us and our client was clear and accurate. I would highly recommend DiamondTech if you are looking for solutions for your upcoming projects

Chris Bowman 1 month ago
★★★★★

Diamond tech just installed piles for a deck off our sport court. Great service. Came right away to get them done. Their employees were very professional.

Lizz Crawford 2 months ago
★★★★★

Excellent. Professional. Right on time. Right on the money. Helical piles are the best option and these guys are the right choice. Many thanks for the excellent work! I had to add a note about the customer service! Our project started and all of a sudden we realized the saddles that receive the beams were not the 8 inch we needed.....cue panic! . I reached out to the team and the search was on! And in less than 1 hours the replacement parts were delivered. It was unbelievable to witness the commitment to customer service. Especially from the mother ship! ( you know who i mean). This team means it! And we grateful that our brain gap was was remedied!

Adam Mastro 2 months ago
★★★★★

The team at Diamond Tech are always great to deal with. We have used them on multiple occasions and they always deliver. I highly recommend this company for any of your helical needs.

Ben Rolph 2 months ago
★★★★★

If you’re looking for a reliable, honest, and skilled piling contractor, Diamond Tech Piles is the company to call. Trevor has built a fantastic team, and I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again or recommend them to anyone looking for quality work.

Tyler Ferguson 10 months ago
★★★★★

I was with Trevor and his crew doing piles for a massive solar system and they got the job done in amazing time while ensuring precise drilling to the measurements I needed anytime I need more piles done for anymore jobs I am definitely giving them a ring and I would recommend them to any and everyone!!!

Michael Arnold 1 year ago
★★★★★

Trevor and his team from Diamond Tech Piles installed the helical piles for our deck and did an excellent job. They were professional, efficient, and clearly knew their work. The process involved some digging and machinery, but they took great care to minimize any impact and left the property in much better condition than we expected. We’re very happy with the results and would absolutely recommend Diamond Tech Piles to anyone needing helical pile installation.

Dimitri Filiantris 1 year ago
★★★★★

Trevor ,Griffin and the crew were great. Installed 3.5” piles for a pavilion to be built. The conditions were not normal with roots,stones and access issues.They got the job done and were positive thru out the experience. Highly recommend

Patrick Engel 1 year ago
★★★★★

Very positive experience. Trevor was very responsive and polite - a real delight to work with. With his team, they drove helical piles around our existing pool for our new deck. We definitely ran into obstacles with rocks, buried cement, roots and the cement pool collar, however, they found great solutions. I have absolutely no hesitation with recommending Diamond Tech Piles - they are great!

DS BUILDS INC 1 year ago
★★★★★

Trevor and Zee installed 4 SP3 helical piles for us today for a gazebo. Saved our backs versus digging concrete piers, and gave us the peace of mind with the torque reports. It was great dealing with Trevor throughout the process, especially as a first time helical pile user who had a lot of questions. Highly recommend!

Marco Sardone 1 year ago
★★★★★

Trevor and the boys at diamond tech We’re an absolute pleasure to work with. Everything from start to finish was done right, Super easy to work with, and I would recommend them to anyone for their pile or deck rejects. Don’t bother shopping around, these are the guys you want working on your next backyard project.

Kyle zdrilich 1 year ago
★★★★★

The crew installed very large helical piles for us to build our cottage on. The owner Trevor was very responsive and got the job done by organizing a barg, to bring their equipment to our remote location. It was a great experience all around.

Negar Panahi 1 year ago
★★★★★

DiamondTech installed helical piles for a project we are working on, and they were fantastic from start to finish. Communication was excellent. Trevor was responsive and answered all of our questions thoroughly. His team's professionalism and efficiency made the entire process smooth and stress-free. We wouldn't hesitate to work with them again!

Kevin Geyer 2 years ago
★★★★★

Trevor and his guys were awesome. Originally planned helical pile installation for late April, but when deck contractor schedule changed, they went above and beyond to get job done weeks sooner to assist. Thank you for your accommodation, very much appreciated!!

When Is Structural Underpinning Required?

  • Major Foundation Cracks: Widening vertical, diagonal or stair-step cracks in concrete, brick or masonry.
  • Visible Foundation Settlement: One section of the home appears lower than the surrounding structure.
  • Recurring Cracks: Cracks return or continue growing after previous cosmetic repairs.
  • Weak or Shifting Soil: Loose, unstable or expansive soil is no longer providing dependable support beneath the footing.
  • Uneven/Sloping Floors: Changes in floor elevation may indicate movement beneath part of the foundation.
  • Sticking Doors/Windows: Openings may become difficult to use as settlement pulls frames.
  • Gaps and Structural Separation: New spaces may appear around walls, trim, ceilings, brickwork or other areas.
  • Inadequate Footing Support: An inspection or engineering review identifies that part of the foundation requires deeper structural support.
foundation repair specialists

Signs to Review With a Foundation Professional

Stair-step cracks in brick or block
Doors or windows that no longer close properly
Sloping or uneven floors
Gaps around trim, walls, or exterior openings
Cracks that continue growing
Settlement near additions, porches, or load-bearing walls

Which Cracks are Structural and Which Are Not

Not every crack means the house is moving. Most concrete cracks in the first couple of years are shrinkage from curing, and they stay hairline and stay put. The ones that matter are the ones that keep getting wider, run on a diagonal or a stair-step through block, or come with doors that stop closing and floors that start sloping. That pattern is settlement, and injection will not fix it, because the crack is a symptom of the footing moving, not the problem itself.

Crack type Usual cause Typical fix
Hairline vertical Concrete curing and shrinkage Monitor, or epoxy / polyurethane injection if it leaks
Widening or stair-step Foundation settlement Helical pile underpinning to stop the movement
Horizontal or bowing wall Lateral soil pressure Engineering review; bracing or piles

What actually causes settlement

Four things account for most of what we get called out to in Ontario. Clay that shrinks in a dry summer and swells again in the fall. Poorly compacted fill under an addition or a porch that was added later. Water, from a downspout, a grade that slopes back at the house, or a leaking service, washing fines out from under the footing. And footings that were never deep enough to clear frost.

When underpinning is the answer instead of injection

Injection seals a crack. It does nothing about the soil under the footing. If the crack is still growing, if it is wider at one end than the other, or if the movement shows up in more than one place in the house, the load has to be transferred onto ground that is not moving. That is what underpinning does: helical piles are installed beside the footing, brackets tie into it, and the load goes down to competent soil below.

When You Need an Engineer and a Permit

Structural repair is regulated work in Ontario. Underpinning changes how a building carries load, so it normally needs a permit from the municipality and a design from a licensed professional. The province sets out who is allowed to do what on a construction or renovation project in its guide to regulatory roles in construction and renovations, and the technical requirements come from O. Reg. 332/12, the Ontario Building Code.

The permit process itself sits with your municipal building department. The province explains what a complete application looks like and how long a review takes in the Citizens Guide to building permits. For a helical pile repair, the building department will usually want stamped drawings and the installation torque records for each pile. We supply the field report and your engineer stamps the design. Short version: if the crack is structural, get an assessment before anyone quotes a repair.

DiamondTech Piles banner: secure your foundation with helical piles

Restore Your Structural Integrity

Stop settlement before it becomes a total structural failure. Get a professional foundation inspection today.

Contact our Repair Experts

Foundation Repair Experts in Bradford & GTA

DiamondTech Piles specializes in stabilizing settling foundations with helical pile systems. From residential foundation repair to commercial structural support, we provide engineered solutions built for long-term stability across the region.

Powerful Applications for Helical Piles

From residential patios to structural home foundations, our engineered helical pile system provides the ultimate anchoring solution. Whether you are building a new addition or securing a heavy deck, these piles deliver unmatched strength and long-term stability for any project.

FAQs

Controlled lifting may be possible on some projects, but it is never guaranteed. The condition of the structure, the amount of settlement and the engineering plan all affect what can safely be achieved. The primary goal is to stabilize the foundation and help prevent further movement.

Some excavation is required to expose the footing at each pile location. However, the work is targeted to specific areas rather than opening long sections around the foundation. This generally means it’s much less disruptive than traditional concrete underpinning. 

The timeline depends on the number of piles, site access, soil conditions and the scope of the repair. DiamondTech Piles reviews these details before work begins and provides a project-specific schedule.

Once the piles are connected to the footing with custom underpinning brackets, the affected foundation load is transferred into deeper, more stable soil. The excavation areas are then backfilled, and any remaining crack or finish repairs can be planned after the structure has been stabilized.

Request a Quote