Helical anchors are usually called helical piers, helical piles, or screw piles. Helical anchors are a type of deep foundation structure that has been used in waterfront foundations since the early 1900s.
They work by transmitting a structure’s loads to competent load-bearing soils bypassing weaker soil layers. Helical anchors are a cost-effective way to support systems in poor soil and expand the capacity of existing structures. Helical anchors are perfect for tasks that require minimal noise, vibration, soil disruption, or site access.
Are you looking for a trustworthy and dependable company to install your helical anchors?
HydroHelp911 is the hosting supplier of helical anchor installation services in the area. For many years, we have provided excellent service. Our crew understands what it takes to complete a job correctly. HydroHelp911 professionals can assist you with all of your foundation needs, whether you’re building a new house or need repairs on an existing structure.
Look no further than HydroHelp911 for a professional answer to your foundation issues! Our assistance comes with free estimates, so there’s never any danger in working with us. You won’t find another company as devoted as we are it shows through our work ethic and commitment to excellence! Call HydroHelp911 right now.
What is a Helical Anchor?
A helical anchor, also called a screw pile, screw anchor, or helical pile, is a comprehensive foundation system of helically formed steel plates attached to a central steel shaft with a round or square cross-section.
The minimum design life of the restrained or supported structure, environmental corrosion and geotechnical characteristics, and design load requirements dictate the steel plates’ thickness, number, diameter, and helices position.
Hydraulic rotary attachments fitted to earth-moving equipment rotate helical anchors into the ground. As a result, they don’t necessitate extensive excavation. Once the plates have reached a proper depth, they significantly pull-out resistance. They then distribute the load from the steel shaft to the soil. Modern and high-tech helical anchors have load capacities that exceed 2,000 kN.
When are Helical Anchors Used?
Helical anchors can be used to repair or secure existing foundations. In addition, lighthouses, roadways, trains, telecommunications, and other businesses that require quick installation or construction near existing structures employ them. Other typical applications include signs, retaining structures, and masts since they can withstand compression and tensile loads.
The anchors can also be used to fix your house’s existing foundation and cracked or leaning walls.
Helical Anchor in the Foundation
A Helical anchor is a screw-like steel foundation pin with helices. It is pushed down into the earth, below the frost line, by a hydraulic system. When traditional foundations fail, helical anchors support structures in harsh soil conditions. This reduces the cost of extensive excavations.
They’re also used to repair fractures or deficiencies in aging foundations. Helical anchors save time during foundation installation, cause minimal soil disturbance, and transfer the structure’s weight to deep soils capable of withstanding the load.
They’re also helpful when the foundation has been damaged, or the structure is composed of pile-like materials like sandstone, gravel, or clay. They’re also beneficial when the foundation has been damaged or the system is built on unstable soil, such as when the ground has high water content.
Watch HydroHelp911’s video on the helical pier.
Indications of Foundation Damage
- The internal plaster walls are pulverizing
- The surface of the floor starts to sag
- Closed doors and windows create huge cracks. As a result, it may be difficult for you to shut the door or window
- Nails protrude from roofs
- There is a rupture in the basement walls
- Chimneys that lean
Helical Anchor Installation
Helical anchors are installed by applying torque to rotate the helical pile into the ground, similar to installing a self-tapping wood screw.
Parts of a Helical Anchor
- Lead Section
The first winding piling section to be installed is the lead section. The lead section is in charge of penetrating the soil and transferring weight from the central steel shaft to the ground via helical bearing plates (helices) welded to the steel shaft. The helices are constructed with a precise pitch, allowing the pile to be turned into the ground.
- Extensions
A helical anchor’s extensions are a central steel shaft with a coupler on each end (one male, one female). The lead section receives the initial attachment, and further extensions are tacked on until the helical anchor reaches the desired torque and depth.
- Terminations
The helical anchor’s terminations connect it to the structure supporting or tying down. Depending on the application, there are a variety of stops.
What are the Benefits of Helical Anchors?
A helical anchor has several advantages, including:
- Simple installation and removal
- Building in all types of weather and on places with limited access
- Reduces the carbon footprint of a project
- Projects are completed faster
- Lessens transport costs since there is little soil disturbance, so there’s no need to transport excess soil from the site
- Vibration is minimal to non-existent
- Reduces foundation costs
What Should You do if You Need any Assistance With Your Foundation?
Contact HydroHelp911 if you’re having problems with your foundation. At HydroHelp911, we begin by examining your foundation and discussing potential remedies with you. We have geotechnical experts on staff who can consider anything from your home’s weight to the quality of the surrounding soil to natural swells in the ground, and that’s just the beginning. Next, we use this information to determine whether you require helical anchors or another type of support.
If you choose to have helical anchors installed, we will determine the ideal locations for the piers and the appropriate size for your home’s needs. One of the best things about helical anchors is that you can calculate how much weight they can support before we ever put them in place. Then we lay out a timeline for the installation, so you know what to expect.
How much do helical anchors cost?
The cost of a helical anchor is determined by the structure’s design, size, weight, and surrounding soil conditions. Due to these several factors, the cost of an installed helical anchor might range from $15 to $30 per foot. As a result, a standard 20-foot helical anchor might cost anywhere from $300 to $600 per unit.
HydroHelp911 provides on-site quotes to give you a better sense of the expenses after we have a better understanding of the circumstances at your location.
How many helical anchors can be installed in one day?
The depth of installation, the hardness or stickiness of the soil, whether the Helical anchors require an augured hole for concrete capping, and the number of installing rigs employed on the site are all considerations.
According to a good rule of thumb, a single installation rig can install up to 40 typical Helical anchors each day.
Can we use helical anchors for decks?
Deck piers are available in various shapes and sizes, depending on your unique requirements. Concrete piles are typically the best choice because they have been around for a long time and have proven safe foundations for homes and buildings. However, the Helical anchor is a relatively new invention that offers numerous advantages over previous types of piles.
One of the significant benefits is that pier bolts do not rust quickly. With old bolted pier systems, this was an infamous issue that was carefully avoided if at all possible due to the potential for severe damage if something went wrong during installation or servicing.
Helical anchors for decks are installed in three steps:
- Excavation, which incorporates ground protection.
- Column placement.
- Column backfill uses geosynthetic materials such as rock wool, filling in gaps created by columns to make them watertight.
What's the difference between concrete footings and helical anchors?
The usage of helical anchors or concrete footings is crucial for homeowners. Both solutions are viable, but the cost of each is different.
- Concrete
A sort of solid foundation system is bored concrete piles. These concrete piles must be cast on-site, requiring specialized tools to remove mud and dirt from the pile’s area before pouring concrete into the newly dug shaft. The soil must be removed from the job site, and when the bank has been built, there is frequently leftover concrete. While these systems often produce a solid foundation, this is only true if the soil is already of good grade and not around a water table. This improves the cost, duration, and effort involved in an already costly operation.
- Helical Anchors
These piles can carry heavier loads and use fewer materials than traditional foundation designs. They work on a wide range of soils, including loose or poor quality. Helical anchors have been shown to support heavier loads while using fewer materials than other foundation designs.
Finally, Call HydroHelp911 for a free estimate on our crawl space repair services, basement waterproofing solutions, or foundation repair services! We’re available 24/7 for emergency service calls!
