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Can You Have a Helical Pile Foundation Installed During Winter?
When snow flies and ground freezes, you don't have to give up on your project. Find out how we overcome tough conditions to install your helical foundation during winter.
Introduction
When winter sets in, does it mean you have to put-off your foundation installation until spring arrives?
Nope!
Around this time of year, we field quite a few questions from people who are curious if our team can successfully install helical piles through snow and frozen ground.
Whether they're wanting to build through the season or beat the spring rush, they want to know if it's possible to get the job done even when the ground is thick with frost.
The good news is we can absolutely install helical piles in winter. With the right tools, tactics, and techniques, we're able to overcome frozen conditions and deliver a solid foundation.
So if you're looking for a short answer to, "Can you install helical piles in winter?"... there it is!
But, if you'd like to learn more about...
● How we install helical piles in winter● Benefits to having your helical foundation installed in winter● Examples of winter-friendly projects for helical foundations● Common questions and answers about winter helical pile installation
Then join us in this post as we give you the inside-look at installing helical piles in winter here in New Brunswick.
How Helical Piles Are Installed in Winter
As you may already know, helical piles are installed by rotating them into the ground using a low-speed, high-torque hydraulic motor.
This is unique the other types of foundations, such as poured concrete or driven piles. Instead of requiring auguring, excavating, or hammering, helical piles essentially "screw" into the ground. This virtually eliminates soil disturbance and drastically reduces site preparation, which are two common reasons people choose a helical foundation.
However, what happens when the ground freezes and becomes a brick of seemingly-impenetrable material? Can a helical pile actually make it through the soil, or will the frost stop it cold?
Let's take a look at a few ways our crews can punch-through frozen conditions and install a helical pile even during winter!
1: Use Extra "Crowd" During Installation
When installing a helical pile, we apply downward force with our equipment to ensure the pile advances at a constant rate. This force is known as "crowd", and it's an important component of a successful foundation installation.
Applying the proper amount of crowd requires a careful and experienced touch, as not all soil conditions will react in the same way. Very loose and wet soil, for example, won't need the same crowd as dense conditions.
So, one way we can deal with frozen ground is to apply more crowd to the helical piles during installation. This helps them "bite" into the soil, allowing the helix plates to continue advancing the pile downwards.
2: Pre-Drilling The Soil
As winter progresses, frost begins to set more deeply and firmly into the ground. At some point, the ground could become hard enough that using extra crowd won't be enough to advance a helical pile.
Thankfully, there are other options.
Pre-drilling the soil involves, unsurprisingly, drilling holes through the frost so a helical pile can begin advancing. It's like drilling a pilot hole through wood so a screw can be installed, except in the dirt!
The holes don't have to be large, either. Just enough to break-through frozen material and give the pile a chance to "grab" the soil. We achieve this by using a heavy-duty hammer drill, which is a quick and simple solution that can be taken anywhere.
3: Ground Heating
If your soil is really frozen solid, we may have to bring out the "big guns"... ground heating.
Defrosting the ground can be accomplished through the use of ground heating rods or mats. These are either inserted into frozen ground or laid on top. Electricity is then used to rapidly heat them up and begin defrosting the surrounding area.
We only need to soften a small portion of the ground, so the process doesn't usually add a significant amount of time. In fact, our crews work ahead to defrost the soil while piles are being installed in already-defrosted ground. It ensures any time added by ground heating is minimal!
Benefits of Having Helical Piles Installed in Winter
Easier Access to Difficult Areas
If you're building a project in an area that's marshy, saturated, or low-lying, access can be a muddy challenge from spring to fall. When winter comes and the ground freezes, it becomes easier to access these areas as the soil is more solid. This can be particularly useful for projects like boardwalks or waterfront structures!
Unlocks Winter Construction
Once your foundation is installed, there's nothing stopping you from making construction progress during the winter season. Even if you don't complete your project during winter, you can make substantial progress and put yourself in a great position for finishing work come spring.
Beats The Spring Rush
The biggest problem with construction in springtime is the fact that everyone is rushing to get their projects going. That means the best contractors get booked early and it can be a fight to find good people to work on your project (that goes for your foundation, too!)
If your foundation is ready to go before spring, you can book great contractors early and get things done on your timeline.More Flexible Scheduling
Our busy season here at Postech Moncton usually stretches from spring through fall, which means we're juggling a lot of projects in terms of scheduling. While we do our best to work around our customer's needs, that's not always possible when our calendar is packed! In winter, however, we're able to better work around your schedule and find the most convenient time to install a foundation for you.
"Winter-Friendly" Projects for a Helical Pile Foundation
You might be wondering at this point if there's specific types of projects that are better-suited to having their helical foundation installed in winter.
To be honest, not really! Modular homes, solar panels, home additions, boat docks, boardwalks, and more, can all have helical piles installed during the winter season.
In fact, it's not the specific structure that matters so much as the location and soil conditions where it will be built. While helical piles can be installed in virtually any area in winter, some situations are a notable good fit.
If your building site is any of these...
● Low lying, soft ground, prone to flooding and standing water● In a coastal region with loose and saturated ground● Highly saturated with a water table close to the surface● Marshy, muddy, or sticky soils● Along the shoreline of a waterbody
...then having your foundation installed in winter could be a great option. It would simplify the access to the site, minimize mess or disturbance, and make your life easier when it's time to build in spring.
Of course, you don't need to have those site conditions to greatly benefit from a winter helical foundation installation. Even if you have perfect building conditions at your site, getting your foundation ready in advance will save time, effort, and even money.
Common Questions About Winter Helical Pile Installation
Are there any risks associated with winter foundation installation?
Installing a helical pile foundation in winter is more technically challenging, no doubt. There's more to think about, and more that could go wrong, in harsh weather conditions.
That said, if you're working with an experienced helical contractor this won't be a concern.
For example, here at Postech Moncton we've been installing helical piles for over 13 years. That means more than 13 winters learning how to tackle any challenge nature can throw our way. We have the right tools, processes, and techniques, to deal with tough situations.
Plus, we'll be honest if we think your project is not right for winter.
The only time you should be concerned about winter helical pile installation is if you're working with a low-budget, inexperienced foundation contractor.
They might not understand how to successfully pile in winter, which can lead to frustration and failure. So, be sure to hire a reputable contractor with proven results in winter piling!Will having my piles installed in winter increase the cost?
A common concern people have is that installing a helical foundation in winter will cost more than other seasons.
There is an element of truth to this, as certain projects could cost more to accomplish in the winter season. The main reason for this would be additional work and time required to prepare the ground and install helical piles.
That said, not every project will need this extra work! In addition, any added costs are generally insignificant in the grand scheme. The majority of our customers decide that the benefits of making progress through winter or getting ahead on next season are well-worth any minor price increases.
If you want to get a clear idea of what your winter piling project could cost, the best way is to ask an experienced helical contractor.Are there situations where you can't install helical piles in winter?
They aren't common, thankfully, but there are certain instances where installing your piles in winter may not make sense.
If the ground is extremely hard or snowfall has made site access laborious, the added effort and costs may not justify a winter installation. Even with our range of tactics to beat frozen soil, there are times where it's simply going to be too hard to punch-through without a lot of work.
As mentioned, this would be the exception more than the rule. Over the course of thirteen-plus years working in Moncton, the vast majority of winter projects we've looked at could be successfully completed in frozen conditions.
If your project is not well-suited to a winter install, we'll be honest and transparent about it.
Conclusion
Even when the chilly weather arrives and the freeze settles in, there's no reason you can't make progress on your project by having a helical pile foundation installed!
The season does bring some extra considerations and challenges, but a quality helical contractor can easily overcome them (as we've seen).
So, why wait all the way until spring to try and cram your foundation installation in? Consider having your helical pile foundation done in winter and make progress through the season - or get a jump on next year!
Curious about a winter foundation install? Looking for a quote? Have questions? Contact our friendly team at Postech Moncton, we'd be glad to help you make the most of winter.
Questions about foundation installation in winter? Get in touch!
Our dedicated team of foundation professionals at Postech Moncton is ready to answer your foundation questions and deliver solutions in any season. Serving homeowners, contractors, and engineers.
Address
1525 Promenade Elmwood DriveMoncton, NBE1H 2H5
Hours
Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm
Contact
(506) 857-9512moc.seliphcetsop%40notcnom
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