When Digging Doesn’t Cut It
Too Much Water
Recently during the excavation of a foundation for a workshop in Fergus ON. Construction was halted before it could begin. The perceived building is planned to be built on land close to a swamp area. The water table in the ground is high, too high in fact. During the week of the excavation, it rained which added to the challenge. Since there is no basement, a wide trench was dug to become home to footings and eventually a new foundation. Unfortunately, the 5’ deep trench filled with water as fast as it was dug. Large industrial pumps were no match for the relentless water, making pouring footings impossible. Instead of fighting it, the decision was made to backfill the excavation and use helical piles.
Helical piles can be used in situations like this where water makes building traditional foundations impractical (high water tables). The depth of the piles is determined by the density of the soil and the torque required to drill. A single pile can support up to 100 tones.
Frozen Ground
Excavation equipment can dig through frost. It sometimes requires jack hammer attachments to first break up the frost to begin digging. However, because it’s very hard on the equipment, and more time consuming, conventional excavation can be too expensive. Many construction projects are put on hold until spring to negate the extra costs of digging in the winter.
Helical Piles for Building Foundations
The use of helical piles is an option that many construction companies are turning to for building foundations. They can be installed all year-round in all weather conditions and are resistant to frost heaving. Another benefit is that instead of massive equipment (20 tone excavator and dump trucks) a small machine is used. The Lot where the building is to be built can be left almost completely undisturbed leaving trees, shrubs, even grass where it was. A foundation of 20 piles can be installed in 1 day, where a comparable concrete foundation would need more than a week before any construction could begin.
Unstable Ground or Temporary Construction
There are many occasions where temporary structures are needed. Festivals, concerts, carnivals, parades, weddings and any situation where short-term stairs, decks, even buildings are needed. As easily as helical piles are screwed into the ground, they can also easily be removed. Because very little ground is displaced on instal, after they’re removed, there is also little damage. The event can come and go without leaving permanent reminders that it was there.
Unstable and Caving Soil
Want to build a structure on the edge of property prone to erosion? Or a dock on a lake, where waves continually pound like a hammer the platform oasis you’ve built. Helical Piles can be installed when unstable and caving/sloughing soil conditions are present. They provide the stability needed for a durable structure. Piles are galvanized to combat corrosive soil and water condition to extend a structure’s service life, and their nature minimizes disturbance in environmentally sensitive areas.
For more information about the advantages of helical piles visit https://www.mascore.ca/helical-piles
B.R.A.G. Contracting Inc.
B.R.A.G. Contracting Inc. can be your solution in situations requiring Helical Piles. They are an established fence and deck company in the Brantford area that also specializes in installation of Helical Piles for structures, solar farms, decks, docks, and more. B.R.A.G. Has the equipment and experience to et the job done right.