Updated November 2026 · By the Pier King Foundation Repair team
Key takeaways
Pier King has installed both. For years most of our exterior piers were pressed concrete. Today almost all of them are steel push piers that we make ourselves.
Here’s why we switched, and how to tell which kind of pier your home needs.
| Pressed concrete piers | Steel push piers | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Stacked concrete cylinders pressed into the ground | Steel pipe pushed down section by section with a hydraulic ram |
| How deep it goes | Until the soil resists, which can still be in the moving clay | To refusal, usually below the clay that swells and shrinks |
| Tested before the house is set | No | Yes, every pier |
| Up-front cost | Lower | Higher |
| Warranty | Shorter | Lifetime, transferable to the next owner (Pier King steel piers) |
| Best for | Low-cost or short-term repairs | Long-term repair on most Oklahoma homes |
For years, most of our exterior piers were pressed concrete. As we saw how they held up in Oklahoma clay, we moved to steel, and today almost all of our exterior piers are steel push piers we make ourselves.
For some homes we use a hybrid pier: a steel pipe driven to refusal, then concrete cylinders stacked on a steel cap under the footing.
It depends on your soil, your foundation and what you need the repair to do. Our inspection starts with what your house sits on. See the Oklahoma soil and foundation guide by city and how our steel piers are made and installed.
What do our customers say?
Every home sits on different ground, so the only way to know what’s going on with yours is an inspection. Our team will look at the problem, explain what’s causing it and walk you through a written estimate, with no pressure and no guesswork.
Call our Tulsa team at (918) 899-9808 or our Oklahoma City team at (405) 534-9788, or fill out our contact form. Both locations are open Monday–Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
For most Oklahoma homes, yes. Steel piers are pushed to refusal, usually below the clay that swells and shrinks, and Pier King steel piers carry a lifetime transferable warranty. Concrete piers can still make sense as a low-cost or short-term option.
Yes, in a few cases, for example as a low-cost or short-term option. Almost all of our exterior piers today are steel.
A steel pipe driven to refusal, with concrete cylinders stacked on a steel cap under the footing.
Pier King is highly reviewed by homeowners across Oklahoma, with a top rating on Google and an A+ with the Better Business Bureau. Our Tulsa and Oklahoma City teams bring the same service to every job, from the first inspection to the final walkthrough.
We repair your foundation right the first time and back it with a Lifetime Transferable Warranty allowing you to have peace of mind.
We understand that foundation repair is a big expense. We offer 0% financing W.A.C., and Pier King is partnered with TTCU for flexible project loans. Our team will walk you through the options during your free inspection.
Common Causes of Foundation Problems
Oklahoma’s clay soils swell when they get wet and shrink when they dry out. Homes built before soil testing was routine often weren’t designed for that movement.
All homes settle over time naturally, but if different parts of your home have sunk or sloped further than others, it’s time to call Pier King
If your home site was improperly graded or it sits at the bottom of a hill, foundation problems could develop as a result of gradual soil and debris accumulation, flash floods, or erosion
If your home never had gutters, or sits on a hard soil bed, water accumulating around your foundation will eventually cause it to swell, shrink, or crack
Even the smallest, slowest water leak from an underground pipe can cause extensive foundation problems
While most Oklahoma contractors are careful to build to code, some still take shortcuts resulting in foundation damage
Pier King has you covered!
