What Is a Helical Pile Fence Post?
One of the best and most cost-effective ways to install your fence is by using a helical pile fence post. Learn more about this great option by clicking on each of the following sections.
If you are looking for professional helical pile fence post installations, contact us.
Helical Pile Fence Post
1. What is a helical pile?
Image source: Mascore
A helical pile fence post looks like a large steel screw
A helical pile is a long steel structure that looks like a very large screw. They are usually made out of high-strength steel and are made up of a long metal shaft that has corkscrew-style plates welded to it.
They are designed to help disperse the weight of the load into the dirt without being pushed all the way into the ground as you would with a simple smooth shaft. They are used to build deep foundations and ground anchoring systems.
Helical piles are referred to by a number of different names including:
Screw piers
Screw anchors
Screw foundations
Ground screws
Helical piers
Helical anchors
Steel screw-in piling
Ground anchoring system
Helical piles can be used for a wide variety of applications including:
Sheds
Preformed stairs
Signs
Docks
Grade Beams
Cottages and Homes
Image Source: Argyriou, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Helical piles are called by many different names
There are different sized helical piles for different applications.
2. How is a helical pile fence post installed?
In order to install a helical pile fence post, you need a special machine that will drive the screw into the ground. This machine is called a drive motor. The drive motor can be attached to a number of different types of machinery including an excavator, skid steer, or other similar types of equipment.
Watch the video to see how a helical pile is installed
As the pile is screwed into the ground, it creates back pressure. The machine that is inserting the pile has a set of gauges that will indicate if you have enough back pressure to hold the amount of weight that you need.
You have to keep drilling the helical pile down into the ground until you have enough pressure. If the pile is not long enough, most piles are 6 feet long, then you need to add an extension to it.
3. Helical piles vs concrete
Image source: Mascore
You can install a helical pile any time of year, even in the winter
Faster Installation:
With concrete-supported fence posts, you need to dig out your hole and add your concrete. A helical pile fence post can be inserted right into the ground so the installation process is much easier and faster.
Bear Loads Sooner:
In addition, concrete-supported fence posts take time to cure (completely dry) before they are able to bear a load. A helical pile fence post, on the other hand, is load-bearing as soon as you install them.
Install in Any Season:
You can only install a concrete-supported post when the temperature is above 5°C. This means that you are limited to doing the installation from late spring to early fall. A helical pile fence post on the other hand can be installed much earlier in the season, so you can get your project completed sooner. You can even install them in the winter.
More Locations:
The biggest difference between concrete foundations and helical piles is that you can often install helical piles in locations where it isn't possible to install a poured concrete foundation. This means that using helical piles you are able to build a fence, deck or other structure in areas where before it wouldn't have been possible.
For example, you can't do a poured concrete foundation in the ground that has poor drainage or where the water table is high. Helical piles can be installed in a wide range of soils from soft to very stiff clays and from loose to very dense sands.
4. Benefits of a helical pile fence post
Image Source: From Screen Capture drdecks
Helical piles are easy to install and remove
There are many additional benefits to using a helical pile fence post. These include:
Simple Installation:
Helical piles are relatively easy to install for professionally trained, experienced installers that have the proper equipment.
Easy Removal:
They are also easy to remove if you need to take down the structure that they are supporting.
Environmentally Friendly:
Helical pile fence posts are environmentally friendly. Because you screw helical piles into the ground instead of digging a hole, less soil is displaced in the process. This reduces your impact on the environment.
Lower Cost:
Using helical piles will help to reduce your installation costs. When you install a helical pile, less soil needs to be removed from the site. This will save you on transportation costs thus further reducing your carbon footprint.
No Concrete Necessary:
They don't require the use of concrete to hold them. The back pressure built up while screwing them into the ground will hold them securely in place.
5. Helical pile fence post installation: DIY vs Professional
Image Source: From Screen Capture drdecks
Helical piles require special equipment to install
Even though a helical fence post is relatively easy for a professional to install, it is not a process you should do yourself. Helical piles should be installed by a certified installer who has training and experience in this type of installation.
An improperly installed helical pile can put your structure at risk of collapsing. You also need specialized machinery and equipment in order to do the job.
6. Where can you get helical piles?
Check out some of Citywide’s work
If you are looking for a professional company to install your helical pile fence posts in the Kitchener-Waterloo region, contact Citywide.
With Citywide Fences & Decks, you will enjoy personal service like no other. If you are looking for the best helical piles at an affordable price, we’re your first choice.
Our expertise and unmatched customer service have earned us a reputation for the finest craftsmanship, professionalism and friendliness in the industry. Not only will you appreciate the quality of the installation, but you will also enjoy working with us.
Citywide Fences and Decks is a locally owned and operated business based in the Kitchener, Waterloo region. We have been proudly serving our community with the best quality services for more than 13 years.
The services we offer include:
Contact us today for a free quote.
What our customers are saying…
“Highly recommend! Professional, conscientious and trust worthy company. We are extremely happy with both our new fence and lawn drainage system. Employees were hard working and obviously dedicated. Dave explained the process for each project and went above and beyond to personally ensure we were satisfied with the completed projects. Both our fence and drainage system were completed in the agreed time frame as discussed and meet our high standards.”
— Glen and Jackie Soehner