Helical piles are the most common type of ground anchor that you can use to provide stability in soil. However, it is important to know how and when to install helical anchors because installing them incorrectly can lead to loss of load-bearing capability, damage to structures, and even injury. This blog post will provide information on what helical piles are, their benefits, and installation instructions. Let’s get started!
What Are Helical Piles?
Helical piles are foundation anchors that provide foundation support for various types of buildings. They are one of the most popular solutions to stabilize building foundations, basements, retaining walls, slabs on grade, or any other structure that requires firm footing. The anchor is installed by being driven at the specified depth, deep into the soil by hydraulic machinery. Depending on the project’s demands (residential vs commercial), this pile style comes in various sizes. It is suitable for almost every foundation job out there.
How Much Do Helical Piles Cost?
The cost of a helical pile will vary depending on the type, diameter, and specifications. Other factors that affect this price include the soil type and weight of the structure they are trying to hold. Standard 2-7/8″ piles can average at about $30 per ft., but it may be more expensive if you want one with more features or specifications. That is why it’s important to consult an engineer before starting any construction process for your helical piles. Helical piles come in 5ft or 7ft lengths, so extensions will also need to be added based on how deep you want your pile to go into the ground. Taking measurements before purchasing is crucial so that you don’t end up spending more than necessary!
When Should You Use Helical piles?
Homes are built to withstand the weight of the materials used to construct their structures. But what happens when that weight is too much for a foundation to handle and compression results? Compression forces can cause serious structural damage, and It’s important to know when these forces are present and how they affect your building. Helical piles can be an effective solution to weakened foundations caused by soil compression. They are generally used as a measure against compressive forces on the foundation caused by the soil below and home above. These compressive forces lead to cracks in walls or slanted floors, among other issues. If you find your building has any of these problems, you need to get help from the experts!
What Are Helical Piles Made Of?
Helical piles are manufactured using steel, threaded with one or more screw threads at the bottom. Each helical pile has a shear lug that attaches to machine-driven equipment, allowing it’s driven into the earth until the correct depth is reached. These types of piles come in two standard materials: steel and high yield strength steel. Steel helical piles are typically used for light-duty applications that don’t exceed 80,000 pounds of pullout force (also known as the Ultimate Capacity). High Yield Strength steel piles are designed to withstand higher forces, ideal for heavy-duty projects where more strength is needed.
How Do You Install A Helical Pile?
When installing helical piles, we recommend hiring a certified contractor or dealer to ensure they are installed correctly and according to the manufacturer’s specifications. The installation process includes using a hydraulic drive head or drilling the pile into the ground using power equipment. This installation process requires torque monitoring tools to keep track of the maximum amount of pressure on each pile that is being drilled into the ground.
Along with identifying who will perform this installation, specific torques and position requirements must be followed when installing these piles. Specific torques and positions are shown in drawings and specifications for particular types of piles you may be working with during your project. Torque monitoring tools need to be used throughout all phases of installation to make sure they stay within acceptable limits.
Helical piles are made of steel and come in two standard types: Steel and High Yield Strength Steel. The type you select depends on the project, soil type, weight of the structure to be held, and so on. You can know if your building has any compressive forces causing issues by identifying when cracks occur in walls or floors that will need repairs soon after noticing them! When installing helical piles, it’s important to hire a certified contractor or dealer so that installation is performed correctly according to manufacturer specifications.