3 ft of steel followed by high-strength concrete. Goes ~50% deeper than the ST1 and handles soil conditions that stop concrete-only piers. Free lifetime transferable warranty.
The ST3 is Stratum’s hybrid steel and concrete pier, and it’s our most popular system. It starts with 3 ft of steel pipe, then transitions to 11,980 PSI concrete cylinders pressed to refusal against the weight of the structure. The steel starter lets the ST3 punch through shallow hard layers that would stop a concrete-only pier, which is why it averages ~50% deeper than the ST1. That extra depth means more friction against the soil and a stronger hold on your foundation. Like all Stratum systems, it comes with a free lifetime transferable warranty.
Some foundations need more depth than concrete alone can reach. Shallow hard layers in North Texas clay can stop a concrete pier before it gets to stable ground. That’s the problem the ST3 solves.
It starts with 3 ft of steel pipe that cuts through those shallow resistance points. Once past them, 11,980 PSI concrete cylinders take over and get pressed to refusal against the full weight of your home. The result is a pier that goes ~50% deeper than the ST1 on average.
More depth means more surface area in contact with the soil, which means more friction holding the pier in place. It’s the right balance of performance and price for most DFW homes that need something beyond a standard concrete pier.
Same day installation. Here’s what happens at each pier location.
We dig down at each pier location along the foundation footing and set a steel bracket beneath the beam. This bracket is the platform everything gets pressed from.
Three 1 ft steel pipe sections are hydraulically pressed into the ground one at a time. This is the part that separates the ST3 from a concrete-only pier. The steel cuts through shallow hard layers and loose fill that would stop concrete.
Once the steel is in, 11,980 PSI concrete cylinders (6″ diameter, 1 ft each) take over. They’re pressed one at a time against the full weight of the structure until the ground won’t compress any further. That’s refusal.
A 9,860 PSI cap block goes on top, then Schedule #3 rebar drops down the center of the whole column. The rebar ties every steel section and concrete cylinder into one solid pier.
Hydraulic jacks press through the bracket to raise the foundation back toward its original elevation. Once we hit the target, the bracket is locked off for permanent support.
Every hole is backfilled and compacted. We clean up the same day. Your free lifetime transferable warranty starts immediately.
The ST1 uses 1 ft of steel. The ST3 uses 3 ft. Here’s why that matters.
North Texas clay often has shallow hard layers, old fill material, or rocky patches near the surface. Concrete cylinders can stall out on these. Steel doesn’t. It cuts through and keeps going.
Because the steel pushes past early resistance, the ST3 reaches deeper soil on average. More depth means the pier is bearing on more stable ground, further from the moisture swings that cause foundation problems near the surface.
A deeper pier has more surface area in contact with the soil. More contact means more friction, and more friction means the pier resists movement better over time. This is why the ST3 outperforms standard concrete piers in most DFW conditions.
After the steel, the ST3 uses the same 11,980 PSI concrete as the ST1. Nearly twice industry standard. Combined with Schedule #3 rebar and a 9,860 PSI cap block, the full column is solid from top to bottom.
It’s our most installed system for a reason. The ST3 covers a wide range of DFW foundation situations.
If there are shallow hard layers, old fill, or rocky soil near the surface, a concrete-only pier can stall before it hits stable ground. The ST3’s steel starter pushes past those obstacles.
Homes with noticeable settlement, multiple cracks, uneven floors, or doors that won’t close often need the extra depth the ST3 provides.
The ST3 costs more than the ST1 but less than the ST10. For most homes that need more than concrete alone, it hits the sweet spot between performance and budget.
Two-story homes or homes with stone/brick veneer put more load on the foundation. The ST3’s deeper reach gives it the bearing capacity to handle that extra weight.
We’ll figure it out during your free inspection. We take elevation measurements, look at your soil conditions, and tell you which pier your home actually needs. No guessing.
Every home is different. Here are the other two options depending on your soil and budget.
Starts with 1 ft of steel, then all concrete from there. Built to replace the industry standard pier with nearly 2x stronger concrete. The right choice when soil conditions are standard and budget matters.
Starts with 10 ft of double-walled steel pipe, then finishes with concrete. This is for the worst soil, the heaviest homes, and the most severe settling. Goes ~100% deeper than the ST1.
Get a free inspection with no obligation. We’ll check your foundation, tell you which system it needs, and explain everything before you decide.
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