Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Helical piles

Jump to Latest
1 - 10 of 10 Posts

G&Co.

· Registered
Joined
·
1,963 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Just read the article in JLC where they built a house on a grade beam supported by helical piers because the ground is too wet for a normal foundation. So what happens when those piers rust out after sitting in wet soil for 30 or 40 years? Especially if you hit a few rocks and scrape the coating or galvanizing?
Do any of you use helical piers? How do you inspect them for rust (or structural strength)?
 
#2 ·
From a few articles I have read in the past in regard to helical piers, the helical pier life expectancy is 150 years. In any case, if something should happen or there are signs of failure due to corrosion they can add more helical piers and underpin the grade beam.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Yes, but the "signs of failure" would be the grade beam sinking and half of the house sitting on it heavily damaged.
I'm asking if they have a way of inspecting them in advance of any actual failure.
Or, seems to me, wouldn't it be wiser to just make them out of stainless steel?
 
#4 ·
G&Co. said:
Yes, but the "signs of failure" would be the grade beam sinking and half of the house sitting on it heavily damaged.
I'm asking if they have a way of inspecting them in advance of any actual failure.
Or, seems to me, wouldn't it be wiser to just make them out of stainless steel?
Click to expand...
would stainless survive the installation twist?
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Ok, I found the answer:

We manufacture the largest offering of helical piles in the industry from .188 to .875 wall in round shaft material from 2 3/8” to 24” in diameter and square tube shaft from 1 ½” to 8”x 8” square material along with stainless steel .304 & .316 grades.

Empire Piers | Manufacturer of Helical Piers, Anchors, & Screw Piles

Empire Piers is a manufacturer of high quality helical piers. Backed by years of experience and knowledge of the piering industry, Empire Piers' primary focus is taking care of the customer.
www.empirepiers.com www.empirepiers.com

It just baffled me that anyone would use a foundation that is less permanent than a concrete foundation. Now we know. Just a matter of cost.
 
#6 ·
We use helicals. they are pretty new to the market so there is not alot of code requirements. I have had a few city inspectors ask me what the heck a helical is.
I know some are coated with Zinc that helps prevent corrosion, but I think it will take a few years for any of the authorities really put something to in writing about the longevity of them.
One think I like most about the helicals is your ability to go far above and beyond the required torque. We only use the for decks right now, and just going 4 feet into the ground we get anywhere from 300%-1500% more torque than required.
 
#7 ·
I would guess they fail after the anode is consumed, if there is one. And human nature being what it is, folks won't worry because they expect it to become someone else's problem.

Corrosion Protection | Techno Metal Post Alaska

In keeping with the company’s mission to offer strong and durable products, Techno Metal Post has specially developed technologies using the principle of cathodic protection…
www.tmpalaska.com www.tmpalaska.com
 
#8 ·
We've used a lot of them but only for 25 years or so, they were not commonplace in our area prior to that.
They are a good product and a cost effective way to provide additional foundation support when needed. The real benefit to these vs augured concrete piles or driven wood or steel piles is that you can use relatively small equipment for the install and get them in without a bunch of hammering and disruption.

Driven wood piles were the only thing used for many years and many structures 100+ years old are sitting atop them with no problem. I would not be too concerned with the life span of the helical steel piles.
 
#9 · (Edited)
A. fill with high strength Concrete plus #5-6 rebar..........B coat with Tar/ coating c. auger a hole, install fill with washed river rock .removable plastic sleeve......

it the part that doesn't STAY wet or dry that corrodes or decays, remove black dirt( dirt with life in it) replace with washed rock/ coarse sand....install ag tile around building, drain to day light/ storm sewer......

Amend soil pH to reduce corrosion. lime rock/dust.

raise structure FFL ABOVE 500 / 1000 year flood line, with drained fill........ Who builds in a Swamp / flood plain.............?

too wet for normal footing,,,,,, leave the black mold factory to some one else?

don't forget the termite treatment.....
 
#10 ·
G&Co. said:
Just read the article in JLC where they built a house on a grade beam supported by helical piers because the ground is too wet for a normal foundation. So what happens when those piers rust out after sitting in wet soil for 30 or 40 years? Especially if you hit a few rocks and scrape the coating or galvanizing?
Do any of you use helical piers? How do you inspect them for rust (or structural strength)?
Click to expand...
I've built a custom on around 55 piles with grade beam encapsulating the heads. Lake site.
The house sinks when the piles fail. One option is to install and connect additional piles along side the grade beam if it is salvageable.
It's a real problem, though.

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk
 
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
About this Discussion
9 Replies
8 Participants
Last post:
META
Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum
posts
3.6M
members
169K
Since
2003
A forum community dedicated to professional construction and remodeling contractors. Come join the discussion about the industry, trades, safety, projects, finishing, tools, machinery, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Discussion Tools & Equipment Business Painting & Finish Work Decks & Fencing