Skip to content
CA
  • House Design
  • Home Improvement
  • Renovation
  • House Renovation
  • Bathroom Decoration

Helical piles can speed up a home renovation

Posted on 15/05/2023 By Kartika
House Renovation

Breadcrumb Trail Links

  1. Life
  2. Canada

Published April 25, 2023 • 3 minute read

Mike Holmes with Jake Ward from TechnoMetal Post installing helical piles to support a new deck being built on Holmes Family Rescue, Season 1, as it is a great alternative to sonotube or concrete footings.
Mike Holmes with Jake Ward from TechnoMetal Post installing helical piles to support a new deck being built on Holmes Family Rescue, Season 1, as it is a great alternative to sonotube or concrete footings. Photo by The Holmes Group photograph

Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.

Article content

With warmer weather on the horizon, residential construction and renovation projects will increase, and many projects will need structural support. I’ve been using helical piles for years, and they are a great alternative to concrete footings for many projects. If the project meets the proper specifications and certified engineering approval, helical piles can save money and time, which benefits both the contractor and the home owner.

Advertisements 2

This advertisement has not been loaded yet, but your article continues below.

National Post

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

  • Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay, Rex Murphy and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.
  • Unlimited online access to National Post and 15 news sites with one account.
  • National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
  • Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
  • Support local journalism.

SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

  • Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay, Rex Murphy and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events
  • Unlimited online access to National Post and 15 news sites with one account.
  • National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
  • Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
  • Support local journalism.

REGISTER FOR MORE ARTICLES

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

  • Access articles from across Canada with one account.
  • Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
  • Enjoy additional articles per month.
  • Get email updates from your favorite authors.

Article content

Helical screw piles are similar to sonotubes (cardboard tubes in which concrete is poured to create solid cylindrical pillars); however, they have several advantages over sonotubes. Helical piles are cheaper than concrete foundations keeping your overall project costs down. Plus, helical piles do not require excavation. They are weather resistant, easy to install, and have effective load-bearing capabilities.

Helical piles are screwed into the ground, using specialized equipment, until a specific torque and depth meet the supported structure’s bearing load specifications.

Some helical piles can be connected using bolts only, while other manufacturers ensure their helical pile shafts are fully welded, which provides added strength, rigidity, and enhanced buckling resistance. Helical pile shafts come in various sizes to fit the needs of a supported structure and to accommodate specific soil conditions.

Article content

Advertisements 3

This advertisement has not been loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

I’ve used helical screw piles several times throughout my TV series and even used them in my home.

I’ve used helical screw piles for decking, as it is a great alternative to sonotube or concrete footings. The specialized hydraulic machines eliminate the need for excavation. Also, screw piles will ensure minimally affect your lawn and surrounding landscape, leaving only a small footprint behind.

Helical screw piles are also a great solution to repair and restore an existing deck, especially when the property is on a steep incline. Pile caps are then installed to secure the pile to the framework system after placing them.

When I was renovating my house, I wanted to open up the main floor living space and kitchen, but I also realized the floor was uneven. Working with an engineer, we incorporated helical piles to make this happen. It was convenient as the specialized equipment is ideal for small areas and can easily maneuver through a standard door frame.

Advertisements 4

This advertisement has not been loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

We opened two areas on the floor and drilled piles into the ground for added support — it was fast and easy with the equipment. We put in three steel posts right from the beam down to the helical piles, which were screwed into the earth 14 feet (4 meters), down and welded, taking the weight completely off the second floor, and the roof, allowing me to level my first floor and create the open concept.

Helical piles can also be used for slabs on grade, like when we did a 10 x 10 (3 x 3 meter) porch — instead of excavating the ground to add footings, we used helical piles with rebar and a concrete pad. The hydraulic equipment is precise and can produce the proper torque to drive through most medium-sized rocks.

When encountering larger rocks, the equipment can either move the rock out of the way or the equipment can steer around the rock during installation. Large rocks can be pinned to shallow bedrock or left on the rock if it is below the frost line. However, some terrains are too rocky to use helical piles, and an alternative foundation should be considered.

Advertisements 5

This advertisement has not been loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

The design, dimensions, weight and surrounding soil conditions are all necessary to consider when pricing a job. You or your contractor must also locate and confirm all underground services before any helical pile installation occurs.

Some helical screw pile manufacturers add a sleeve for added protection against ground movement. During freeze/thaw cycles or in the presence of clay, the sleeve slides along the shaft of the pile, following any possible ground movements, ensuring the stability of the structure all year long, which I think is a great addition.

When using helical screw piles, homeowners should ensure a licensed engineer has authorized all blueprints, and as with all aspects of construction, do your homework. Only work with certified installers and manufacturers to ensure the equipment and all materials used meet all national and international standards. Also, check with your local building office if a pile or torque reading test is required. If all these boxes are checked, using helical screw piles can be a great addition to your next home renovation project.

Residents of the GTA can apply for season 2 of Holmes Family Rescue at www.makeitright.ca

Share this article in your social networks

Comments

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourages all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

Join the Conversation

Related Stories

  1. Advertisements 2

    This advertisement has not been loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Tags: house remodeling ideas house renovation ideas house renovation shows how to remodel a house remodeling a house where to start

Post navigation

❮ Previous Post: Does Team Leave Tool Time?
Next Post: Lauren Kay Sims’s Texas Lakehouse ❯

Recent Posts

  • Exploring Cooking With Exotic Fruits
  • The Impact of Gadgets on Environmental Sustainability
  • Choosing the Right Laptop for Graphic Design
  • Gadgets for Efficient Time Management
  • How to Embrace Change in the Tech Landscape

Tags

assam type house design photo business design your own house estate home design home improvement hulu home improvement loan home improvement loan rates home improvement products home improvements home improvement season 1 episodes home improvement stores near me home improvement streaming netflix home improvement tv show house design house design drawing house design games house design ideas house design online house design plans house design software free house remodeling house remodeling ideas house renovation design house renovation games jewellery latest newest nice house designs old house renovation ideas online renovate home renovating renovation angel renovation house renovation island renovation meaning in hindi renovation order of operations renovation process renovation projects renovation vs restoration simple house design technology types of renovation why did home improvement get cancelled

About Us

  • Contact Us
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Sitemap

Theme: Oceanly News Dark by ScriptsTown

WhatsApp us