Structural questions? If you need a foundation evaluation, or need to know if that's a structural wall, or need a beam sized or a basement converted to a rental space, we can help. If your roof collapsed, or might do that tomorrow, we can help. If there was an explosion or fire, or somebody hit your house with a car, we can help. We speak the language of joists, columns, beams and rafters and collar ties.
Let’s be real: structural pier reps are there to sell structural piers. Before you spend tens of thousands on foundation repair, get an independent opinion from a structural engineer – someone with no agenda other than to guide you.
Crossroads Engineers helps Utah homeowners understand whether they have a structural problem, what is causing it, and what should be done about it. Structural piers can be the solution for certain problems, but they are not the right solution for every structural issue.
Download our free homeowner guide on structural piers. It will help you understand when structural piers make sense, when they don’t, and how to avoid costly foundation repair mistakes before signing a contract.
You received a foundation repair bid over $20,000
You were told your home is settling or sliding
The company rep recommended piers all around the home
One wall is bowing, bulging or moving inward
You are pressured to sign quickly or “today only”
You want an engineer’s opinion before spending your savings
Structural piers are deep foundation elements installed below a footing or foundation wall to transfer loads to deeper, more stable soil or bearing material. Common systems include:
– helical piers
– push piers
– micropiles
– concrete underpinning
– drilled piers
But piers are not a magic fix for every crack in a home.
They are primarily intended to address vertical support problems. They do not solve framing issues, lateral soil pressure, poor drainage, shear wall weakness, expansive soils, concrete shrinkage, or general workmanship defects.
One of the most common problems we see is contractors recommending structural piers when the home may have a different problem entirely. For example, a home may show cracking because of:
If the real issue is lateral movement, shear weakness or drainage, installing vertical piers may do little to address the real cause. That is how you can end up paying for a system that does not solve the problem.
Piers may not be the right answer when the issue is caused by:
In these cases, a pier system may be expensive, invasive, and poorly matched to the actual problem.
Structural piers may be appropriate when there is evidence of foundation settlement, such as:
The design should be based on actual structural conditions, soil behavior, loading, and objectives.
The question is not simply, “Can someone install piers here?” The question is, “Will structural piers solve the problem?”
Garth Haslem, PE, has over 30 years’ experience helping Utah homeowners understand what’s happening in their homes.
He brings a steady, experienced presence to every inspection—no urgency, no drama, just clear answers.
If something looks wrong, he’s likely seen it many times before. And he’ll explain what it means in a way that makes sense.
Inspection & verbal report only
Sometimes you just need to know. Or you find out it’s bad news and you just want to walk away. Here’s that price.
Inspection & written report
This is the full report. There may be travel fees for inspections outside of Salt Lake and Utah counties.
Inspection with written & stamped report
The PE stamp is a certification. Usually the stamp is only needed if there is a lender, lawyer or city involved.
FAQ Section
Not necessarily. Cracks can occur for many reasons. Some are related to settlement, but others are caused by shrinkage, drainage, lateral pressure, expansive soil, framing issues, or normal aging. An engineer can help determine whether the cracks are structurally significant.
Not necessarily. Piers are useful for some settlement problems, but they are not the correct solution for every foundation issue. If the home has lateral movement, shear damage, drainage issues, or expansive soil heave, piers may not help you.
Some contractors are honest and competent. Others are primarily sales-driven. Because contractors typically profit from the jobs they get, it is wise to get an independent structural engineer’s opinion before signing a major contract.
A structural engineer evaluates the structure and provides an independent opinion. A foundation repair contractor installs repair systems. The contractor may be skilled at installation, but the engineer is typically the more reliable source for determining what the actual structural problem is, and how to deal with it.
Yes. But the first step is determining whether piers are actually needed. The purpose of the inspection is to identify the real structural condition of the home so you can move forward properly in protecting your home and family.
That is a good time to call Crossroads. We can review the observed conditions, discuss the contractor’s recommendation, and help determine whether the proposed repair appears to match the problem.
We have been a trusted member and affiliate of the real estate community since 1993. If the home has a SUPRA box along the Wasatch Front, we can probably get access.
Foundation repair companies often recommend helical piers, push piers, or other expensive repair systems after seeing cracks, settlement, sloping floors, or foundation movement.
We do not sell pier systems. We do not install foundation repairs. We are not paid based on the size of the repair.
Our job is simple: tell you the truth.
