Foundation Repair Systems

The ST1 Concrete Pressed Pier System

Built to replace the industry standard pier. Nearly 2x stronger concrete that goes 3 ft deeper on average, with a free lifetime transferable warranty.

Quick Answer

What is the ST1 concrete pressed pier system?

The ST1 is Stratum Foundation Repair’s concrete pressed pier system, built to replace the industry standard pier. It starts with 1 ft of steel pipe at the top, then transitions to 11,980 PSI concrete cylinders, which is nearly twice the strength most companies use. That stronger concrete is why the ST1 goes an average of 3 ft deeper than conventional piers. Each one is pressed against the full weight of the structure until the ground won’t take any more, then reinforced with Schedule #3 rebar down the center. It’s the most affordable of Stratum’s three pier systems and comes with a free lifetime transferable warranty.

Why We Built It

Designed to Replace the Industry Standard Pier

Most foundation repair companies use generic concrete cylinders rated around 5,000–6,000 PSI. We built the ST1 to beat that standard.

Our concrete is rated at 11,980 PSI, nearly twice the strength of what most companies use. That extra strength lets the ST1 push deeper into North Texas clay before the ground pushes back, averaging 3 ft deeper than a standard pier.

The pier starts with 1 ft of steel pipe at the top, which connects to the foundation bracket. From there it transitions to concrete cylinders, pressed one at a time against the full weight of your home until the soil won’t compress any further. Then Schedule #3 rebar goes down the center of the whole column to tie it all together.

11,980
PSI Concrete
Strength
~2x
Stronger Than
Industry Standard
3 ft
Deeper on Avg
Than Standard
6″
Cylinder
Diameter
Lifetime
Free Transferable Warranty Included
Installation Process

How the ST1 System Is Installed

Every ST1 goes in the same way. Here’s what happens at each pier location.

1
Excavation & Bracket Placement

We dig down at each pier location along your foundation’s footing and position a steel bracket beneath the beam. This bracket is the platform the pier gets pressed from.

2
Steel Starter Section

A 1 ft steel pipe goes in first. It connects the bracket to the concrete column and gives the pier a solid starting point.

3
Concrete Cylinders Driven to Refusal

11,980 PSI concrete cylinders (6″ diameter, 1 ft long each) are hydraulically pressed one at a time against the full weight of the structure. We keep going until the pier hits refusal, the point where the ground won’t compress any further and the pier is locked into load-bearing soil.

4
Finishing Cap & Rebar

A 9,860 PSI finishing cap block goes on top. Then Schedule #3 rebar is dropped down the center of the entire stack, which ties all the cylinders together into one solid column.

5
Lift & Stabilization

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.

6
Backfill & Cleanup

Each excavation is backfilled and compacted. The work area is cleaned up the same day. Your free lifetime transferable warranty goes into effect immediately.

Side-by-Side

ST1 vs. the Industry Standard

Most companies in DFW still use generic pressed piers. Here’s how the ST1 compares.

Feature Industry Standard Stratum ST1
Concrete Strength ~5,000–6,000 PSI 11,980 PSI
Average Depth Industry baseline 3 ft deeper on average
Steel Starter Section ✗ None ✓ 1 ft steel pipe
Center Rebar ✗ Varies by company ✓ Schedule #3 rebar
Finishing Cap Standard concrete 9,860 PSI cap block
Cylinder Specs Generic 6″ cylinders 6″ × 12″ engineered cylinders
Warranty Varies (often limited) ✓ Free lifetime transferable

Need to go deeper? Check out the ST3 and ST10 for homes where concrete alone can’t reach stable ground.

Right Fit

When Is the ST1 the Right System?

It’s our most affordable pier and handles the majority of DFW foundation repairs.

🏠

Moderate Settlement

If you’re seeing cracked drywall, sticking doors, or minor settling and the soil conditions are typical for the area, the ST1 will get the job done.

💰

Budget-Conscious Repairs

You get the same lifetime warranty as our other systems at a lower price point. If you don’t need the extra steel depth of the ST3 or ST10, the ST1 saves you money without cutting corners.

📊

Standard DFW Soil Conditions

In most North Texas neighborhoods, the clay soil lets concrete piers reach stable ground. And because the ST1’s concrete is nearly 2x stronger, it pushes 3 ft deeper than standard piers before the ground stops it.

🏗️

Single-Story Homes

For a single-story slab-on-grade home with normal soil conditions, the ST1 has more than enough depth and strength to hold.

ℹ️

Not Sure Which System You Need?

Every free inspection includes a full assessment and system recommendation. We’ll tell you which pier your home actually needs and why. No pressure.

Need More Depth?

Stratum’s Other Pier Systems

If the ST1 can’t reach stable ground, we have two systems with more steel that go deeper.

Balanced Performance
ST3 System
Hybrid — Steel + Concrete

Starts with 3 ft of steel, then switches to concrete cylinders pressed to refusal. The extra steel punches through shallow hard spots that would stop a concrete-only pier.

~50% deeper on average than the ST1
Learn About the ST3 →
Maximum Depth
ST10 System
Deep Steel + Concrete

Starts with 10 ft of double-walled steel pipe, then finishes with concrete cylinders. This is the system for bad soil, heavy homes, and multi-story structures.

~100% deeper on average than the ST1
Learn About the ST10 →
Common Questions

ST1 System FAQ

The ST1 is Stratum’s concrete pressed pier. It starts with 1 ft of steel pipe, then transitions to 11,980 PSI concrete cylinders that get hydraulically pressed against the weight of your home until the ground won’t take any more. We designed it as a direct replacement for the industry standard concrete pier.
It depends on the soil, but the ST1 averages 3 ft deeper than a standard concrete pressed pier. Every pier is pressed until it hits refusal, which means the soil physically can’t compress any further. That’s how we know it’s reached load-bearing ground.
The concrete. Standard piers use ~5,000–6,000 PSI cylinders. Ours are 11,980 PSI, nearly twice as strong. The ST1 also has a 1 ft steel starter, a 9,860 PSI finishing cap, and Schedule #3 rebar down the center. Every component is made specifically for foundation repair.
Most ST1 jobs fall in the $2,500–$15,000 range depending on how many piers your home needs and how much settling has happened. It’s the most affordable of our three systems. We also offer 0% financing for up to 24 months with no payments.
A free lifetime transferable warranty. Sell your home and the warranty goes with it at no extra cost. Full details on our warranty page.
Usually one day. Bigger jobs with more piers can stretch a bit longer. You don’t need to leave your home during the work.
If the soil is deeper than normal, the settling is severe, or you have a heavy or multi-story home. The ST3 goes ~50% deeper and the ST10 goes ~100% deeper. We’ll recommend the right one during your free inspection.
Yes, always free, no obligation. We take full elevation measurements, check your soil and drainage, and give you a written report. We’ve done over 20,000 inspections across DFW. Schedule yours here.
Get Started

Ready to Stabilize Your Foundation?

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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