More fun

We backed the posts out, called the engineer and came up with a new plan. The downspouts run underground to the street, so they were scoped and we removed some concrete to check if they were leaking. Also had ground penetrating radar performed to check the extent of the void.

Everything came back pretty good. No major drainage issues and the we had already discovered the extent of the voids.

We temp supported the deck, removed the existing concrete footings and installed posts with larger helices. We ended up down about 20' before we hit solid soil. We filled the voids with NS grout and then patched the concrete patio and restored the yard.

The second footing location had a little bit of brick...

The hole opened up pretty good as well.

 

How much concrete did you end up using

 

How much concrete dis you end up using

About 2 yards.

 

very cool stuff. reminds me of sink holes in florida. is this soil common in your area?

 

No. We believe the sinking was a combination of things, mostly the pouring of concrete over poorly compacted soil filled with construction debris from the demolition of the house before it was rebuilt.

 

Very nice. A niche like that will keep you from getting bored.

What is the depth capacity of your machine & size of pier you can drive?

 

Depth is based on the soil conditions and helix size. We just keep adding extensions until the machine hits refusal. We can install a post with a compressive bearing of just over 24 kips, with a safety factor of at least 2. So ultimate is around 50,000 lbs. We haven't gone down more than about 27', but some of the other dealers have gone down over 80' for projects.

 

Basically how we build boat docks. Use Rhino pile driver and big air compressor to drive 2 7/8 drill stem to bedrock.

Nice work, Dan. Will that machine punch those piles through granite?

 

What would be the point of punching thru the granite here? Footings anchored to/on the granite here are not going anywhere.

 

Dan......

I've only been on two helical screw jobs in my life..... Are you just setting a good footing (pier).... or are you actually Jacking/lifting an existing foundation/footing/stemwall.

 

On this one we lifted the deck about 1/2" to get it back to level. The concrete sank the first time and the previous guys jacked it up. We did not want to mess with it to much.

We also do foundation stabilization and in some cases will jack it up. We also did a couple house lifting projects on the shore because of Sandy. Those houses went way up...Maybe I will do another thread on those.

 

So far I've used them for a deck roof and a sunroom addition with attached deck this year. I'm a big fan. I'm going to be considering them for a project that requires strengthening the first floor on a historic home. I really like them.

 

I would have to say that helical piers must be the latest and greatest for construction in sometime . Nice work .

 

Its been around for over a hundred years... its the installation equipment that finally catching up and being used for some near impossible projects, keeping costs way down.

 

Last ones I bought cost over $5,000 for 7. Would have cost $300-500 for traditional methods... Ouch.

 

As with every project, costs are different with different situations. Our prices start WAY lower than that.

 

As with every project, costs are different with different situations. Our prices start WAY lower than that.

How much percent is piers your business .

 

As with every project, costs are different with different situations. Our prices start WAY lower than that.

So is there a general price average for a average/typical install per support? I'm just trying to get a mental price picture comparing these to the typical footing hole dig, sonotube, mix and pour cement routine.

Thanks
Ron