When building or repairing a foundation, you may need to turn to spiral piers for added stability. Architects and engineers use them when deep foundations need to be dug after massive buildings or unusual soil conditions.
There are several advantages to using helical piers that go beyond their basic ability to add strength to a foundation.
What are helical pillars and why are they used?
Helix pillars are galvanized steel shafts to which helix plates are welded. They are available in different diameters with square or round shafts, depending on the support needed. They are often used to support new foundations, but can also be used to support damaged or weakened foundations. Screw pillars are installed vertically with a hydraulic drive. Occasionally, however, engineers find they need to be installed at an angle, especially when supporting damaged foundations. They penetrate the ground like a screw piercing the wood and winding into the earth.
Advantages of using helical pillars
Helical pillars have become popular with contractors for their stabilizing benefits. Before being used in new residential and commercial foundations, they were most commonly used in bridges, utility poles, and retaining walls for over 200 years.
Environmentally friendly foundation solution
Helix pillars are environmentally friendly. Instead of digging deep foundations with large machines, contractors use hydraulic systems to screw the piers in place. Since limited machinery is required for installation, it has very little impact on the soil around the site. Thanks to the quick installation, the vibrations of the construction hardly need to be dampened or not at all. There is no need to cut the soil to install spiral pillars. And they are made of galvanized steel, so they will last for many decades without rust. They can be removed the same way they were installed, and new ones can be put in their place without harming the environment.
Fast installation and repairs
Piers do not require heavy machinery. Since they do not have to have any floor disturbances, they can be installed quickly. Companies that need to repair their industrial floors or fix foundation problems don't have to shut down when contractors install the pillars. Unlike a typical foundation, spiral piers can be installed in all weather conditions. You don't need time to set or harden. You can manage their loads once they are installed.
Versatile applications
Pillars have various uses in commercial and residential construction, as well as in repair. While most are used in a vertical position, some are installed horizontally or diagonally to support retaining walls or other buildings that require side support. Contractors place them in various positions to support innovative building designs. They are also used to increase load-bearing capacity when a foundation alone is not enough. Helix pillars can be deployed in remote locations or in places where there is very little space or access to construction sites is restricted.
Strength skills
Old and new buildings must be stable. Helical piers offer more than a typical shear pillar and add strength and stability to damaged or weak foundations. Helix pillars can be used in a variety of soil conditions that a typical foundation cannot. Once installed, a spiral pillar provides immediate assistance, which is why it is so popular with foundation repair contractors. Often times, the spiral pillars become more supportive as the soil settles around them, where typical foundations often weaken with age.
Precision Placement
The groundwork must be precise. With the help of hydraulic tools and handheld devices that measure depth, angle and torque, pillars can be installed with the precision required. The equipment informs the contractors when the pier is exactly placed. These tools eliminate all of the human errors that can often occur with traditional foundations. They can be installed underwater, which is why they are used for bridge construction projects. With so few machinery required to install it, utility companies can easily install new piers along roads with no major disruption to traffic.
Affordable solutions
Helical pillars are easy to install and do not require heavy machinery construction. Because of the ease of installation and minimal use of tools, the cost of spiral piers is relatively reasonable. Very little cleanup is required when the installation is complete, and minimal maintenance is required after installation. To make things even better, spiral pillars can be recycled and reused. They can be removed from their underground locations and reused elsewhere if necessary. When construction costs need to stay within a preset budget, pillars are a good choice.
