Unveiling the Truth: Debunking Screw Pile Myths and Legends Worldwide!
Screw piles (also known as helical piles or screw foundations) are like that versatile tool in your toolbox that everyone underestimates – until they need it. They’re gaining popularity as a foundation solution, but are often shrouded in myths and misconceptions. Let’s break down those rumors, so you can build your projects on solid ground, no matter where in the world you are!
Myth 1: Screw piles are unreliable! They’re just a modern fad!
- The Legend: “Screw piles are some newfangled contraption! They won’t last. Give me good ol’ concrete any day – that’s real foundation!”
- The Reality: Screw piles aren’t just chunks of metal shoved into the ground. They’re carefully engineered systems designed to withstand immense loads. When installed correctly (that’s the key!), they can last for over 100 years, meeting or exceeding the lifespan of traditional foundations.
Myth 2: Screw piles are only for lightweight structures. Heavy buildings need concrete!
- The Legend: “Screw piles are okay for decks or sheds, but a multi-story house? It’ll collapse like a house of cards!”
- The Reality: Screw pile load capacity depends on the diameter, shaft thickness, blade configuration, and soil type. For heavier structures, larger diameter piles with reinforced designs are used. A properly engineered screw pile foundation can support heavy buildings.
Myth 3: You need perfectly level ground for screw piles to work!
- The Legend: “My site is all hills and dips! Screw piles are useless. I’d have to grade the whole thing – too expensive!”
- The Reality: Screw piles excel on challenging sites. They’re ideal for slopes, wetlands, and uneven terrain. The key is to accurately calculate pile lengths and installation depths to accommodate the specific conditions.
Myth 4: Installing screw piles requires expensive specialized equipment and a huge crew!
- The Legend: “You need a crane, a team of workers, and a fortune to install screw piles! DIY? Forget about it!”
- The Reality: While large projects benefit from heavy machinery, a manual hydraulic equipment like helical pile driver FALCON is a universal choice for installing of screw piles. This compact and powerful tool allows for quick and easy installation, even in hard-to-reach areas. The key is choosing the right tool for the job!
Myth 5: Screw piles are prone to corrosion and will rust away!
- The Legend: “Metal in the ground is doomed! Your piles will turn to dust in a few years!”
- The Reality: Modern screw piles are coated with specialized anti-corrosion treatments that protect the steel from moisture and aggressive soil conditions. With proper treatment and maintenance, they’ll last for decades.
Myth 6: Screw piles can’t be used in frost-heave prone soils!
- The Legend: “The ground freezes in winter and expands, pushing the piles right out of the ground! Screw pile foundations in frost-prone areas are a disaster!”
- The Reality: This issue is mitigated by properly selecting pile lengths and embedding them below the frost line. Specialized technologies can also reduce the effects of frost heave on the foundation.
The Bottom Line:
Many perceived “problems” with screw piles are based on misconceptions and outdated information. Modern technology and proper installation techniques allow you to build reliable and durable screw pile foundations in diverse environments around the world. So, don’t believe the rumors! Get informed, consult with professionals, and if you’re going the DIY route, choose a high-quality hydraulic screw pile driver and build smart!
- Explore more of our guides to screw pile basics!
- Contact us for expert advice about using screw piles for your projects! We and our dealers are waiting for your questions!
