Latest Posts

Helical Piles in Extreme Weather

May 3, 2019 3:04 pm

Helical piles have been around for many years, but they are yet to reach their full capacity as the excellent, ground-breaking examples of engineering that they are. They are used in many environments, including houses, bridges, telegraph poles and wind turbines, due to their versatility. But how to helical piles perform in extreme weather conditions? Sub-zero Temperatures Mixing and pouring concrete in cold climates can be tricky and fairly costly. When temperatures drop below zero, concrete must be kept from freezing throughout each stage of installation. If concrete is allowed to freeze, it may be damaged to such a degree that it is no longer fit for purpose. Helical piles, on the other hand, can be installed irrespective of the...

4 Reasons to Use Helical Piles

February 25, 2018 2:15 pm

In the mid-1800s, helical piles were often used in England for moorings and as the foundations of lighthouse structures. In recent years, helical piles are becoming more and more popular around the world due to their many benefits. They are a lot more environmentally friendly than their alternatives and highly cost effective. Here are various situations in which you might choose helical piles as the most suitable deep foundation option: When Access is Limited Helical piles are often the preferred option when the conditions are of restricted or tight access. They can be sized appropriately to the accessibility of the project and installed using equipment of varying styles and sizes, from mini-excavators to large track equipment. When Time is Limited...

What to Avoid When Choosing a Pile Foundation Company

February 12, 2018 11:35 am

The processes and apparatus involved in installing building foundations (such as helical piles) are continually progressing, while new tools and techniques emerge. At times, foundation companies fail to keep up with these inescapable changes, resulting in errors, safety hazards and poor service. If you have an upcoming building project and require a foundation installation company, here are four things you we advise you to avoid when hiring a pile foundation company: Lack of Experience In certain industries, long-term experience is of the utmost importance because it means the company is well-practiced, knowledgeable and proficient. ScrewFast, for example, has nearly two decades worth of experience in a range of foundation industries and we have a training school for new installers. Try...

What’s Involved in a Ground Survey

February 1, 2018 11:59 am

Before beginning a building project, it’s sensible to carry out a professional ground survey. Normally, trial holes are dug around the area so that a decision can be made regarding a suitable foundation. You will likely need to hire a structural engineer to perform this survey; it is too big a risk to take on the responsibility of designing your own foundations. You cannot know what lies below ground without an adequate survey. There may be obstacles such as mine shafts or wells, which will require additional funding to remove or work around. For this reason, it’s always advisable to save some contingency funds. If you hire an engineer, they will assess the area for big trees and boggy ground,...

A Guide to Helical Pile Installation

January 4, 2018 12:03 pm

Helical piles are a type of structural foundation. In other words, they are designed to bear the weight of a building so that it does not sink into the soil. All properties are built upon a foundation, because it helps spread the heavy load evenly across the ground. There are many advantages to using helical piles, including the ease of installation and consequent removal, if necessary. Of course, helical piles must be installed by a trained professional and should not be seen as a DIY project. Helical piles are fitted into the ground in a similar way that a screw is inserted into wood, although on a much larger scale. Using machine-mounted hydraulic or electrically powered drilling equipment, they are...

Why is the Foundation of Your Home so Important?

October 16, 2017 7:16 am

All properties are built upon a foundation, such as concrete or helical piles. The purpose of a foundation is to evenly spread the heavy load of the building across the ground so that it doesn’t collapse or sink. It might seem silly to put so much thought into something you can’t even see, but you should not underestimate the importance of your building foundation! Spending hours choosing paint colours and decorating your beautiful home is great, but it will be all for nothing if you don’t first take the time to ensure that the foundation of your home is built to the very best standards. It is completely worth it because it will prevent any problems further down the line....

Why Are Helical Piles Used in the Energy Industry?

September 15, 2017 9:58 am

Foundations are essential for spreading the weight of a building or other type of construction across the ground so that it doesn’t sink. There are many things to think about when deciding which foundation is the most ideal for your project, including the condition of the soil. You must have a clear understanding of how each type of foundation works and how they could be of benefit to your project. Choices include grillages, concrete and helical piles and each have different pros and cons. Below we discuss why helical piles are frequently used within the energy industry. Helical piles, which originated in the 1830s, are tensile and work well in many different arduous conditions, such as unstable ground. What’s more,...

4 Benefits of Grillage Foundations

August 18, 2017 9:39 am

Grillages are a framework of either single or double tiered beams, used to secure the foundations of a building (such as screw piles) to the structure itself so that it can spread safely across the ground above. As a result, grillages contribute to the equal and reliable distribution of the weight of the construction. They are a flexible solution with many benefits, including the fact that they eliminate the need to use unsustainable concrete. We here at ScrewFast have many years’ experience both designing and installing grillages and we are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about them. In the meantime, here are the four main advantages. Simple, speedy installation Without the need to pour concrete...

6 Tips to Protect the Foundation of Your Home

June 14, 2017 11:30 am

It’s easy to forget about the foundation of your home, especially since you can’t see it. However, if damage is caused to your foundation, you will more than likely experience damage to the rest of your home. Even the fanciest of properties can crack and leak if they are not built upon a solid foundation. Unfortunately, the repair costs don’t come cheap. That’s why it’s very important that you do all you can to protect your property. We have put together some tips for you: Avoid planting trees too close to your house. Although plants and shrubbery are lovely to look at, particularly during the spring and summer months, unfortunately the roots can damage your foundation. Water the trees around...

Your Guide to Soil Types

June 5, 2017 2:45 pm

When deciding which building foundation is most appropriate, one factor you must consider is the condition of the ground. An investigation of the soil should always be carried out before the design and construction of a new structure, so that you understand it’s bearing capacity. Will it be able to hold a heavy load without much movement or change in shape? You don’t want to build on the wrong type of soil and end up with cracks and leaks in your new structure. So, here is a brief guide to some of the many types of soil. Chalk You must bear in mind that chalk soils are disposed to erosion, so you should be cautious of things like caves and...