Replacing the foundation of a wooden house with screw piles

If the foundation of the house has become unusable, then immediate measures must be taken to replace it. Otherwise, the house may simply collapse. This is especially true for buildings with columnar foundations, because at any moment deformed columns can provoke a loss of the integrity of the building. The only sure and safe way is to replace the old foundation with piles. This technically complex repair process can only be performed by professionals. offers services for repair and reconstruction of foundations of any level of complexity. We employ experienced specialists who are responsible for the quality of their work. This is confirmed by numerous reviews from grateful clients, for whom our craftsmen literally saved their houses from the destructive effects of the old foundation. The peculiarity of replacing the foundation with screw piles is that they are suitable for any type of soil and are used on steep slopes and in wetlands. Replacing a columnar foundation with screw piles will extend the life of the building by at least 20 years.

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Reasons for replacing the foundation with screw piles

Over time, the foundation of wooden houses may sag, crack, crumble, and other unpleasant changes may occur to it. In this case, you should immediately think about replacement in order to preserve the main structure for further use.

Problems that result in the foundation losing its strength can arise for two main reasons:

Violation of laying technology (low-quality concrete, small amount of reinforcement, etc.).
Violations during operation leading to subsidence (excessive load, freezing or soaking).

Destruction

Practice shows that of all the listed foundation options, the old columnar foundation is most often destroyed. Problems with the foundation are indicated by skewed walls, difficulties opening doors and windows, and tilting of one side of the house in a certain direction.

Causes

Below are some of the most common cases that indicate problems with the foundation.

Severe wear and tear on the old structure. This is evidenced by crumbling masonry and brick, rotten wood and other defects.
Destruction of the support pillar. If at least one of the pillars is broken, the building structure may become deformed. Therefore, this should not be allowed; appropriate measures must be taken immediately.
Noticeable distortion of piles. This may occur due to incorrect calculations and errors during construction.
The occurrence of cracks and chips in the strip base. Violation of the solidity of the foundation can lead to distortions in the house.
Lowering the frame onto the ground. This usually happens after several decades of operation.

These consequences may occur as a result of errors in the construction of the foundation or its dilapidation.

Determination of degree

If at least one of these reasons is detected, you should think about repairing or replacing the foundation. But first, it is necessary to invite a specialist so that he can draw up an accurate conclusion about the need for such work, and also clarify what is more reasonable, to redo the foundation of the old building or to build a new one.

Advantages and disadvantages

The material has many advantages that make it the most popular at the moment:

Versatility in use (can be used in conditions of different types of soil, regardless of the terrain).
High strength. If the product is made of high-quality steel, it will serve for a long time even in an unfavorable external environment.
The ability to perform replacement actions regardless of the time of year, air temperature and other weather conditions.
There is no need to dismantle the main structure.
Possibility to replace any type of foundation.
Reasonable price. Almost every customer has access to similar work.

The disadvantages of this building material include the following:

Such piles cannot be used in rocky areas as it is difficult to carry out such activities on rocky ground. In this case, the outer layer of soil may be damaged, which can lead to rapid corrosion.
The likelihood that the weld will be of poor quality will seriously reduce the service life of the structure.
Corrosion. As a rule, if the material is not treated with a special anti-corrosion coating, it will last much less.
Once the piles are already screwed in, it is impossible to check whether they were damaged during the installation process.
It is impossible to build a basement under a wooden house.

Piles of this type are good for the construction of relatively light structures; their service life is affected not only by the quality of the steel, its thickness and grade, but also by the correctness of the weld, the composition of the corrosion coating and the characteristics of the soil.

Main stages

The process of liquidation of buildings consists of several stages. At the very beginning, the contractor develops a technological map. It indicates what methods will be used and in what sequence the work will be performed. After this, on the same map the contractor must indicate dangerous areas and indicate the conditions that must be met to ensure complete safety for workers.

Special equipment is also very important in the work process. The quality of the work and its duration will depend on how perfect it is. As for the personnel, they must be trained at the highest level. The work experience of all employees must inspire confidence. Let us note that all professional companies have personnel with precisely these qualities.

To be fair, it is worth adding that such companies, as a rule, have many years of practice. Therefore, they can easily carry out any dismantling work in the shortest possible time. They are able to not only complete the assigned task, but also solve it with a highly qualified approach. In other words, they enable clients to familiarize themselves with the documentation that has been drawn up, that is, with the plan regarding the liquidation of a particular building.

So, the liquidation process consists of the following stages:

Drawing up a demolition project and a detailed work plan.
It is calculated what equipment, technical equipment and tools may be needed in the work process.
Temporary fencing is also being erected around the construction site. It is needed to protect workers, passing people, other buildings and vehicles.
Then all communications are turned off, they are dismantled and moved to another, safer place.
The next step is to dismantle the upper part of the building. This includes roofing, roof structures and ceilings. Since these jobs involve some danger, they are often performed using small robots that are controlled using a remote control.
The dismantling work itself may include processes such as dismantling walls, partitions, ceilings and other building elements. All these works are only carried out if the dismantling is carried out step by step.
When there is no need to observe any accuracy, you can do otherwise. The building is being dismantled, or rather simply broken down. To do this you will need quite powerful technology.
The final stage is sorting construction waste and preparing it for removal.

You can find out more about the service on the website of the Olvex-Diamond company in the “Dismantling of buildings” section.

How to replace the foundation with screw piles

The process itself can be divided into the following stages:

Soil condition research. If deposits of lime and peat, bulky stones and tree roots are not found in the ground, the work may not require the use of special equipment. The type and amount of material required will be determined by the soil and the depth of its freezing.
Prepare suitable building materials , tools (crowbars, shovels, tape measure, hydraulic level, grinder, cement, sand, welding machine).
Construction site marking. It is necessary to perform leveling actions and install special pegs.
Installation of piles. The optimal depth of placement in the ground is 1.6-1.7 meters, no less than 1.5 meters.
Dismantling the old foundation. If there is a fear that the previous structure of the house may be damaged during the process of replacing the foundation, it is necessary to strengthen the lower crown and walls.
Installation of hydraulic jacks , with the help of which the building will be lifted.
Creation of a foundation for the main building on piles, welding of metal channels.
Lowering and installation of a wooden house on a new structure.

The work is quite complex, you need to be extremely attentive and careful, do everything in accordance with safety requirements in order to avoid possible problems.

Several important points can be highlighted:
It is recommended to hammer a pair of slats into each corner of a wooden house, and then use a level to determine exactly what height to raise the house to.
Raising the house using jacks fixed on both sides of the building, approximately 0.5 m from each corner. It is worth lifting the structure from both sides at the same time, about 2 cm at a time, and fix the result with temporary supports.
Dismantling the previous foundation.
Installation of piles and installation of channels, on which the house is then lowered.

Where are they used?

The use of piles is determined by the geology of the area where construction is taking place. These are areas with weak soil, high groundwater levels or wetlands.

Metal screw piles have many features, which makes them relevant in a number of cases:

Construction on difficult terrain. Even if the elevation changes are serious, you can still build a foundation. When working with piles, there is no need to level the terrain, which saves time and money.
Construction of an extension to a finished building. If you build in the classical way, the new foundation can affect the old one, displacing it, which will lead to tilting and even destruction. The method using screw piles is good because it does not displace the soil located along the perimeter of the building.
Fast construction of the foundation. With knowledge and the right equipment, you can build the foundation of a house in a couple of days, so this type of foundation can be used at almost any time.
Construction of power lines. The rods can withstand heavy loads, and, if necessary, they can be removed from the ground.
Strengthening the existing foundation. The piles serve as additional support. They are placed around the perimeter of the building and secured with brackets to emergency areas, which increases the load-bearing capacity.

Replacing a columnar foundation with screw piles

In cities and villages there are still a sufficient number of buildings built decades ago, which have a columnar foundation as a base. These are brick or stone structures that have outlived their usefulness and are in dilapidated condition. Such buildings should be immediately replaced with more reliable and durable ones. The main reason for damage to the structure is its shrinkage, which entails changes in the position of the house.

Some useful tips to follow:

Pile supports must be installed at a close distance from the previous foundation.
It is possible to raise a house without special construction equipment using hydraulic jacks.
To dismantle the previous foundation, you will need certain tools, such as steel crowbars or sledgehammers.
To create temporary supports, you can use powerful beams, bricks or boards.

Choosing a new base

Despite the possibility of using various technologies for constructing foundations, strip foundations and screw piles are most suitable for replacement. Advantage of strip foundation:

Low cost.
Very simple technology.
Withstands heavy loads.
Installation is possible with minimal time investment.

Advantages of screw piles:

Ideal for constructing buildings on sedimentary soils and on a significant slope.
High strength.
Relatively low cost.
Quick installation.

It is possible to install even a large household on screw piles much cheaper than using a strip foundation, and the speed of installation will allow you to cope with the work even in areas where the warm season is limited to just a few months.

Nuances

When replacing the foundation with screw piles, it is worth paying attention not only to the strength of the earth, the properties of the material, the depth of the foundation and the distribution of the weight of the house.

There are a number of additional points:

The required amount of material is calculated depending on the weight of the structure.
Special beams are placed under the building, which are cut strictly to the size of the structure, leaving 5-7 cm for attaching screw piles.
The house should be lifted only from two corners at the same time, using four jacks, do it confidently, but do not rush.
To lift a house, use only durable cargo jacks capable of lifting structures weighing at least 10 tons.
And the last, but very important point. Even if you decide to carry out the work on your own, without turning to the help of construction organizations, you should definitely consult with specialists before starting the process.

ABOUT

carries out a wide range of earthworks, including the replacement of a block foundation with a screw pile foundation. In case of difficulties and to find a solution to the problem, our specialist will visit the site to assist in planning excavation work or construction. For more detailed information, you need to call the phone number listed on the website page. Here you can also find the address where our office is located, where you can order these works. Our specialists will listen to the client and offer him assistance in solving the problem that has arisen and will indicate the cost of services.

Price

The price of all work is determined purely individually for each specific case.

The total amount is made up of the following components:

The cost of piles, which depends on their size and quality of steel (as a rule, the price ranges from 1100 to 1500 rubles for one product).
Cost of components (cover for the pile element, eccentric kit and special bolts).
Drawing up a project and studying the object if you decide to use the help of specialists.
Payment for the services of workers who will dismantle the outdated foundation, install piles and all related actions.

Even weather conditions and the characteristics of the soil with which you will have to work can affect the final cost.

Screw piles are a modern solution for replacing the deteriorated foundation of houses based on a wooden frame. They are quite versatile and can be used in different types of terrain, almost regardless of the type of soil.

Turnkey service price

The pricing factors in this case include the total load that the structure exerts on the load-bearing structure:

Type of construction	Cost of lifting a house with an area of 4 by 6 m2, rub.
Panel building	19400
Frame house	25500
Timber construction	28300

The prices given are indicative, since in practice the price of laying a new foundation will also depend on:

geological conditions at the site,
parameters of structural elements,
scope of work, etc.

Carrying out calculations

Before replacing the foundation of a wooden house, you will need to make accurate calculations. Before renovating a country house, it is necessary to measure the outer perimeter of the building. This will be required in order to calculate the amount of concrete solution that will need to be prepared if the decision is made to replace the foundation using a strip type foundation. The volume is calculated by multiplying the length of the foundation by its width and height. If you know exactly how much sand, crushed stone and cement is needed to fill 1 m3, then knowing the total volume, it will not be difficult to calculate how much building materials should be prepared.

Without a blind area, the new foundation will not last long, so calculations regarding the construction of this element should also be made. The concrete protection layer around the entire perimeter of the building must be at least 10 cm, but it will also be necessary to lay a metal reinforcing mesh and a sand and gravel cushion, which should also be taken into account when making calculations.

To improve the aesthetics of the blind area, as well as the above-ground part of the foundation, you can use ceramic tiles. Calculating the required amount of this material is not difficult. The horizontal area of the blind area, as well as the vertical part of the base, will be equal to the required amount of cladding.

If the old foundation is being replaced with screw piles, then in this case it is also necessary to calculate in advance the amount of material used. When making such a foundation, you will need to choose the correct length of supports. Piles can be purchased from specialized trade organizations. The most popular products are with lengths from 1650 to 7000 mm.

You should also correctly determine the load on the base. As a rule, such repairs are carried out by raising the house and replacing the foundation, so you need to be 100 percent sure that the new foundation will fully cope with the load. For such purposes, the following models of screw piles can be used:

SVS-57 – permitted load up to 800 kg per element.
SBC-76 - used for the construction of powerful foundations, with a load of up to 3,000 kg per support.
SVS-89 – up to 5,000 kg.
SVS-108 - up to 9,000 kg.
SVS-133 – up to 14,000 kg.

Knowing the approximate load, piles of a certain model are selected, but in any case, the number of such elements cannot be less than 4 pieces. In order for the base to cope well with loads, including wind, after replacement, it is necessary to use products with a safety margin.