Introduction
When you’re installing screw piles for a foundation, you expect smooth sailing—solid, stable soil and easy installation. However, as with any construction project, the ground doesn’t always cooperate. One of the most frustrating (and common) obstacles that can pop up during screw pile installation is hitting rock.
Whether you’re installing piles for a deck, fence, or larger structure, encountering a rock can cause delays and headaches. But don’t worry; there are effective ways to handle this situation. Here’s what you can do when you hit a rock while installing screw piles.
1. Assess the Situation
The first thing you need to do when you hit rock is to assess the severity of the situation. Sometimes, you might only hit a small rock or a layer of rock that’s relatively easy to penetrate. Other times, you might encounter large, solid boulders that make further installation impossible.
SIZE AND LOCATION
Determine if the rock is blocking the entire pile or if you can shift the position slightly to avoid it.
DEPTH
Is the rock near the surface, or are you dealing with bedrock deeper down?
SIZE AND LOCATION
Determine if the rock is blocking the entire pile or if you can shift the position slightly to avoid it.
DEPTH
Is the rock near the surface, or are you dealing with bedrock deeper down?
2. Try to Drive the Pile Past the Rock
If the ground is scattered with random stones, but nothing too large, screw piles can usually still be installed without obstruction. The pile can navigate through the smaller stones without significant issues and can still go through smaller rocks or break up softer material.
When using an impact wrench, make sure to apply consistent pressure. Sometimes adjusting the speed and force of the rotation can help the pile cut through or navigate around small rocks without causing major delays.
If the ground is scattered with random stones, but nothing too large, screw piles can usually still be installed without obstruction. The pile can navigate through the smaller stones without significant issues and can still go through smaller rocks or break up softer material.
When using an impact wrench, make sure to apply consistent pressure. Sometimes adjusting the speed and force of the rotation can help the pile cut through or navigate around small rocks without causing major delays.
3. Shift the Pile Location
If you hit stones that are around 40cm in size, you have a simple and flexible option. The screw pile can be unscrewed and reinstalled 20-30 cm to the side, avoiding the stone and continuing the installation without much delay.
Shifting the pile can help you avoid unnecessary complications and move forward without risking damage to your equipment or the surrounding ground.
!! CONSULT WITH ENGINEERS !!
If you’re working on a larger project, check with the engineers to ensure the new location won’t affect the overall foundation or load-bearing capacity.
If you hit stones that are around 40cm in size, you have a simple and flexible option. The screw pile can be unscrewed and reinstalled 20-30 cm to the side, avoiding the stone and continuing the installation without much delay.
Shifting the pile can help you avoid unnecessary complications and move forward without risking damage to your equipment or the surrounding ground.
!! CONSULT WITH ENGINEERS !!
If you’re working on a larger project, check with the engineers to ensure the new location won’t affect the overall foundation or load-bearing capacity.
4. Adjust the length of the foundation
If the rock or stone is particularly large and immovable, the best solution is to unscrew the pile (which can be done quickly), cut the pile to the required depth, spray it with a galvanized coating to protect it, and then reinstall it in a slightly different location to bypass the obstruction.
If there are some doubts, contact the engineers to secure the stability of your project.
5. Use a Rock Auger or Drill
For more challenging obstructions, you might need to use specialized equipment like a rock auger or drill to break through or bypass the rock. These tools are designed to handle tougher materials, making them perfect for drilling through or around rocks while preserving the integrity of the screw pile installation.
ROCK AUGERS
These are commonly used to break through tougher soil or rocks. They have specialized teeth that can chip away at the rock, allowing you to continue drilling.
DRILLS
You could also use a heavy-duty drill to create a pilot hole for the screw pile, especially if you’re dealing with large boulders.
ROCK AUGERS
These are commonly used to break through tougher soil or rocks. They have specialized teeth that can chip away at the rock, allowing you to continue drilling.
DRILLS
You could also use a heavy-duty drill to create a pilot hole for the screw pile, especially if you’re dealing with large boulders.
6. Consult a Professional
If you find yourself consistently hitting rock or facing a complex situation, it may be time to bring in a professional. Soil engineers or foundation specialists can assess the site and offer solutions tailored to the specific conditions you’re dealing with. They can also recommend the best equipment, help redesign the foundation plan if necessary and ensure the safety and integrity of your project.
If you find yourself consistently hitting rock or facing a complex situation, it may be time to bring in a professional. Soil engineers or foundation specialists can assess the site and offer solutions tailored to the specific conditions you’re dealing with. They can also recommend the best equipment, help redesign the foundation plan if necessary and ensure the safety and integrity of your project.
7. Preventative Measures for Future Projects
To avoid hitting rocks unexpectedly on future projects, consider performing a geotechnical survey before starting the installation. This will give you a clearer understanding of the ground conditions, including potential rocky areas. While it may add an initial cost, it can save time, frustration, and money in the long run by helping you plan accordingly.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING
No matter the situation, the most crucial factor to keep in mind is that the ground has good load-bearing capacity. As long as the ground can support the weight of the structure, you’re on track!
Conclusion
Hitting a rock while installing screw piles is a frustrating challenge, but it’s not the end of the project. By assessing the situation, considering alternate techniques, and knowing when to call in a professional, you can navigate this obstacle and keep your project on track. Whether you adjust the pile location, use special equipment, or switch to a different foundation system, there’s always a way forward when rock gets in the way.
GroundPlug® Screw Foundations
We at GroundPlug® Easy Mounting SystemTM provide engineered screw pile foundations for residential use. The GroundPlug® Easy Mounting SystemTM is a no-dig, no-pour, screw pile footing solution, designed to make the foundation process much faster and more efficient.
GroundPlug® TwisterTM screw pile footings can be used for a number of outdoor structures, including deck footing, greenhouse footing, shed footing and foundations for granny flats, small cabins, pergolas, retaining wall, arbors and more .
FREE ENGINEERING SERVICE
Are you set on building a deck? Are you thinking of choosing a screw pile footing for your project? Foundation installation for decks has never been so easy. Just fill in the form and we will pre-calculate your foundations needs and send you a quote within 24-48 hours. Offer accepted? We’ll draw up your plan sketch and ship out your screw piles directly to the building site, your home or your office.
