Screw pile vs Concrete pier on your next foundation project

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Screw piles

Traditional concrete foundations are designed to spread the structures load across the soil to provide a stable base. Footing widths of both piers and walls has changed little over the years and is a generalization of soil conditions in a specific region. A building official may come to a site and look into the excavation determining suitable bearing soil. We have all accepted that traditional piers sink and foundations crack however technology is changing!

Screw pile technology is based off engineering principals that measure exactly the bearing capacity of each screw as it is installed. The proprietary equipment works like an impact driver twisting in the screw until the measurement equipment determines the bearing capacity of the soil is sufficient for the intended purpose.

Each screws have a proprietary design based a variety of conditions to include;

  1. Geotechnical conditions
  2. Structure design load
  3. Design life of structure

Screw piles are a much faster way to build as there is no digging, no mixing concrete, no waiting for inspection and no back filling. Screw Pile installations are not a DIY project however once done any DIY-er can finish the project with confidence.

Screw Piles are Perfect for unique applications

Although there is an argument for replacing concrete piers with screw piles the reality is that both have their place. Concrete is still inexpensive and readily available to weekend warriors.

However Screw pile installation can serve specific purposes like underpinning foundations, supporting solar panels, poor soil conditions for additions, decks and fences. Screw piles are often cost effective for construction requiring a large number of piers or hard to access grades.

Screw piles are also a perfect application for temporary structures as they can be removed and often reused. If your soil conditions are unknown or your building outside of the traditional concrete season Screw Piles should be a consideration for any project requiring a foundation.

Successfully used in commercial projects during the 1800’s Screw Piles have extended their range of use into a wide variety of construction applications to include residential. Designed to be ground anchors or bear tremendous loads the application may be right for your next DIY project or specified to your contractor.

Traditional concrete foundations are designed to spread the structures load across the soil to provide a stable base. Footing widths of both piers and walls has changed little over the years and is a generalization of soil conditions in a specific region. A building official may come to a site and look into the excavation determining suitable bearing soil. We have all accepted that traditional piers sink and foundations crack however technology is changing!

Screw pile technology is based off engineering principals that measure exactly the bearing capacity of each screw as it is installed. The proprietary equipment works like an impact driver twisting in the screw until the measurement equipment determines the bearing capacity of the soil is sufficient for the intended purpose.

Each screws have a proprietary design based a variety of conditions to include;

  1. Geotechnical conditions
  2. Structure design load
  3. Design life of structure

Screw piles are a much faster way to build as there is no digging, no mixing concrete, no waiting for inspection and no backfilling. It is not a DIY project however once done any DIYer can finish the project with confidence.

Unique Applications are the place to look to use Screw Piles

Although there is an argument for replacing concrete piers with screw piles the reality is that both have their place. Concrete is still inexpensive and readily available to weekend warriors.

However Screw piles can serve specific purposes like underpinning foundations, supporting solar panels, poor soil conditions for additions, decks and fences. Screw piles are often cost effective for construction requiring a large number of piers or hard to access grades.

Screw piles are also a perfect application for temporary structures as they can be removed and often reused. If your soil conditions are unknown or your building outside of the traditional concrete season Screw Piles should be a consideration for any project requiring a foundation.

 

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One Thought to “Screw pile vs Concrete pier on your next foundation project”

  1. I’m considering getting a screw piling instead of the traditional concrete pier foundation for my custom home, because I’m the sort of person who ascribes to updates in construction technology and wants the very best for the place I plan to raise my three kids. You make a very compelling argument for it, particularly where you talk about measuring the exact bearing capacity of each screw in relation to the exact bearing capacity of the soil. Doing that kind of calculation sounds like it would very effective in preventing foundation sinking and cracking, for sure.

     

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