Cables, pipes, water mains, what if you hit one when using Screw piles?

Before you begin any kind of foundation work, it is strongly recommended you conduct a survey to find out what is under the ground. This includes:

1) Checking your building plans
2) Discovering where your services e.g. electric, watering gas pipes run on your property
3) Hiring a CAT scanner and Genny  to scan the ground before starting foundation work
4) Ensuring your installer is insured

Following the above protocol means you are unlikely to encounter any cables and pipes when using screw piles. The above list is considered due diligence with regards to all kinds of foundation work.

How do you install a screw pile?

UKhelix offers a range of smaller screw piles for structures like garden houses, man caves, decking, fencing and sheds. These applications are suitable for the DIY enthusiast. In many of these applications you can install Helix screw piles “by hand” using an install kit and two 1.5 metre crowbars.

For bigger projects you can hire a hand held machine, which you can hire from UKHelix Co.,Ltd., this machine is suitable when you are installing relatively large piles.

On bigger jobs, you can install screws using an excavator and a suitable “driver head attachment”. This is very useful for SME landscapers, shed, fencing and building contractors, or large nationwide contractors seeking to improve and refine their foundation process.

UKHelix offers a range of “driver head attachments” for hire.

          

How long do screw piles take to install and build on?

Installing screw piles for smaller structures is “typically” much faster than traditional concrete footings.

Of course, this does depend on the size of your structure, the number of screw piles to be installed, your soil conditions and your site preparation.

If we take an example a DIY installation of a 4 x 5 metre summer house in the back of a garden, excluding a site survey and marking out of pile locations, you can install nine DIY screw piles from UKHelix.com by hand in between half a day to day (Note you will need a couple of strong individuals). Building on the screw piles could potentially start on the same day.

And don’t forget, screw piles can be installed in most weather conditions.

On commercial jobs where the contractor has a skilled team and a fast install method, for example an excavator with suitable head attachment, large installation jobs can be executed with impressive speed, potentially saving days of labour costs.

Some examples could be a contract to install several pod houses, building walkways through nature reservations or sound barrier installations.

What size screw pile do I need for my job?

For your lighter structures, UKHelix’s most popular piles sizes are the 1200mm. and 1700mm. We also offer a smaller pile at 700mm and can acquire larger piles for bigger structures.

For the majority of your decking, sheds and fencing needs, we would recommend 1200mm screw piles, for larger wooden structures like big summer houses, wooden garages, wooden stables, some large home offices and man caves we suggest 1700mm screw piles.

HOWEVER, this all depends on your structure’s payload, your soil conditions, the gradient of the land and other factors. The above is just a general guideline based on our factories recommendations.

For a free quote to discuss your screw pile needs we suggest you contact us here