You've decided to renovate your basement, or you're building a new home and want to build it on a pile foundation that's going to last. You might be thinking about foundations with concrete piers, but there is another option: screw piles.Â
In this article, we'll look at what goes into installing a screw pile foundation and what you can expect as part of the process.
- The Process Should Go Pretty Quickly
The process should go pretty quickly. A screw pile foundation can be installed in as little as one day, with a team of workers working on it together. If you're doing this alone or without any help, then it might take you a few days to finish the job.Â
The installation itself can take anywhere from five minutes up to an hour per screw pile—it all depends on how much your soil is compacted and whether or not there are rocks in your way.
The actual installation process is pretty simple. You'll start by digging a hole for each of your screws, making sure that the bottom of it is about twice as wide as the width of your screw pile. Next, you'll place the screw into the hole and hammer it down until it's firmly in place. From there, you can begin putting up posts on either side of this foundation, using concrete to connect them together.
- Installation Might Be Done on Soggy and Wet SoilÂ
You can’t install a screw pile foundation if the soil is too wet. The ground must be dry, level and solid. This means that it needs to be free of obstructions like tree roots or rocks. If you have soggy soil, you may need to do some extra construction before installing your new foundation.Â
For example, you could remove enough dirt from around your house so that there is about 4 feet of flat surface for your new foundation to sit on top of (this will make sure that your screws can go into the ground).
You could also raise the grade of your home by adding dirt. The easiest way to do this is with a backhoe or dump truck.Â
You might need to rent one of these machines if you don’t have access to one already—they can be quite expensive, but they will make it much easier to dig out the ground around your house in order to install a screw pile foundation.
- The Property Probably Won't Look as Messy as You ThinkÂ
You might think it’s going to be a huge mess, but it won’t be. You will see dirt and mud everywhere, but that is normal during the installation of any foundation. After installing your screw pile foundation, your property will look neat and tidy again in no time!
A screw pile foundation is a great alternative to traditional foundations. It is easy to install, durable and long lasting. They will keep your home stable even during strong storms or earthquakes.
Screw piles are also a great alternative to concrete foundations. They are easier to install and allow you to avoid the expense of hiring an excavator for your project. If you have been thinking about getting a screw pile foundation but aren’t sure where to start, then this guide will help!
Conclusion
Just remember that the installation process for screw piles is pretty straightforward and shouldn’t take very long. If you have any questions about what to expect, don’t be afraid to ask your contractor or engineer!
