Building A Strong Foundation For Any Structure
Building a home or commercial building can be very exciting. The possibilities are endless and the future is interesting. You can always change aspects of the building to meet the unique needs of your family or business. Nevertheless, you have to go above and beyond to ensure that the basics are right. Otherwise, there is a risk that your building is going to experience issues early on.
For instance, you should choose a reliable foundation that won’t cause issues. If you’re building in an area prone to earthquakes, make sure your building can withstand it. You may also have to worry about hurricanes and tornadoes. Common foundation types will be explored in greater depth below.
Importance Of Your Foundation
At the end of the day, your foundation is one of the most important aspects of the structure. If the foundation is weak, you’re going to run into immense issues. With a stronger foundation, your home will be able to withstand more abuse. Furthermore, this will make the individuals inside the home safer. A strong foundation can protect the home from natural disasters such as tornadoes and earthquakes.
It is also important for keeping out moisture and insulating against the cold. A reliable foundation will easily be able to resist the natural movements of the earth. If you’re going to build a home, it’s a good idea to let a professional handle the foundation.
Screws Piles
Screw piles have been used for many years. In the 1800s, they were commonly used for the foundations of lighthouses. This foundation type is also been used for piers for many years. It is estimated that more than 100 screw-pile lighthouses were constructed on the East Coast of America between the 1850s and 1890s. Since they were made using cast or wrought iron, the bearing capabilities are limited.
Now, the technique is getting better and the foundations are getting stronger. Today, screw piles can be used for many applications. You could easily use a screw pile to build roads, lighthouses, telecommunications structures, and more. The technique is great for rapid installations.
It is also possible to use this system for residential applications. Many homeowners choose screw piles instead of other options. In particular, helical piles can be used for decks, sheds, grade beams, and cement pads.
How It Works
This unique version of ground anchoring has many names. It is commonly called screw anchors, screw-piles, helical piles, and helical anchors. Although the foundation can be used for other purposes, it is recommended for establishing deeper foundations. Today, it is primarily erected using steel to ensure that the foundation is strong and reliable. The pile shaft will help transfer the weight of the structure into the pile.
Helical steel plates can be welded to the shaft to support specific conditions and applications. Usually, the foundation is designed based on multiple factors, including environmental corrosion parameters, load requirements, and required lifespan. It is always best to let a professional handle this aspect of the building process.
Otherwise, a poor foundation would lead to immense issues.
Blade Piles Are Possible
There is also the option of choosing blade piles. In some cases, this will be unnecessary. However, blade piles can be helpful in certain circumstances. Specifically, this foundation should be utilized when the building is placed in an earthquake-prone area. Plus, blade piles provide many unique benefits. They provide strong support with immense load-bearing capacity. The method is also more affordable than some of the others.
Just remember that this foundation may not be right for your structure. Therefore, you should speak to a professional in your area to find out what will work best.
