The daily deck builder
February 4, 2025

What is a helical pile?

A better foundation for better results

When we set out to build anything that will last for decades to come, a good foundation is absolutely crucial to achieve successful results. Helical piles have revolutionized the deck building world with new and exciting possibilities that will bring your outdoor living space to the next level! Here are some of the benefits of a helical pile:

  • 50-year product warranty
  • Life expectancy of 100 years
  • Less invasive to surrounding landscaping
  • Faster installation
  • Engineered and tested for load bearing capacity

The helical pile advantage

helical pile

A faster install means you get to be firing up the grill and kicking back on your new deck that much sooner. Helical piles significantly speed up the construction process of our builds as opposed to traditional concrete footings. The piles are drilled into the ground with hydraulic equipment like a big screw firmly anchoring into solid soil deep below ground level eliminating the need to wait on setting concrete.

The downsides of a traditional concrete footing

man digging post holes

Setting concrete footings requires digging 42” deep holes in your yard which gets messy. Although this method works well for most situations, there is still no guarantee that the soil will not settle over time. This method also leaves the structural posts of the deck foundation buried in the ground which can lead to rotting and decay.

  • Possible settling over time
  • Wood posts will rot faster when buried underground
  • Disturbs surrounding landscaping by digging post holes
  • Longer build time
dials to monitor torque

Load bearing design

A helical Pile solves all these problems in a beautifully efficient manner. How do they accomplish this? Well, let’s take a closer look at the design details of a helical pile to understand why they are so much better than traditional concrete footings.  

  • Heavy duty galvanized steel
  • Torque monitored installation
  • Drilled down into solid soil
  • Engineered by a third party for load bearing capacity

Engineered for success

You can rest assured that when you build your deck with helical piles you are building a deck that will last the test of time. We have our piles reviewed and stamped by a third-party structural engineer to ensure safe and effective installation. With everything from manufacturing down to installation we monitor all the necessary specs to achieve the best solutions for your project, that’s something digging a post hole comes far from achieving.

Conclusion

Good foundations are the initial building blocks of all great things. Your deck is no exception! Helical piles offer elegant solutions for many problems while saving time and money. Your deck isn’t just an outdoor living space, it’s an investment. Using helical piles ensures that your long-term investment will stand the test of time for decades of enjoyment.

deck with pavilion

Pavilion or pergola? Which is better?

Whether you want to enjoy a little shade and block out the rain with a louvered pergola or add a pavilion to enhance the aesthetic appeal and functionality of your space look no further!

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