A screw pile is a metal pipe with a blade-shaped tip. Essentially, it's a giant screw. It's screwed into the ground until it reaches a dense layer of soil, providing a reliable point support. No concrete. No trenches. No excavator bucket.
Why it's considered eco-friendly:
•
The
surrounding soil is barely disturbed—only the area under the pile.
•
There's
no need to cut down trees or uproot stumps.
•
No
concrete or water is used, meaning less impact on the landscape.
What's included in standard installation:
1. Site survey (at least a test
drilling).
2. Marking out the pile locations.
3. Screwing the piles in manually or
using mini-equipment.
4. Trimming to level and installing the
pile caps.
The entire
installation takes 1–2 days. And the area remains in its original state: no
dirt, no destroyed turf, no traces of heavy equipment.
How do screw piles
affect the soil and microflora of a site?
When it comes to foundation ecology, the first thing to
consider is their impact on the soil. Soil isn't just "dirt
underfoot." It's a living system with capillaries for moisture, layers of
varying density and nutritional value, plant root systems, and microorganisms.
Disturb all of this, and in a couple of years you'll have a dry, barren area or
a permanent puddle near the house.
What happens when screw piles are installed:
•
The
pile is screwed into the ground without excavating the soil.
•
The
blade pushes the soil apart, rather than crushing it.
•
Disturbances
affect only an area 10-15 cm in diameter.
This means that, compared to digging a trench for a strip foundation
or excavating a pit for a slab, screw piles act precisely. It's like carefully
inserting a skewer into the ground—minimal intervention. Benefits for
microflora
Microorganisms in the soil act as recyclers: they decompose
organic matter, supply nitrogen to plants, and improve the soil structure. And
if you simply mix up the layers, this delicate balance will be disrupted.
With screw piles:
•
Horizontal
soil layers remain in place.
•
Tree
and shrub roots are virtually undisturbed.
•
The
biosystem continues to function—without being "reset."
Are screw piles safe
for water and underground sources?
This question is especially pressing if the site is located
near a well, borehole, stream, or in a lowland with close groundwater levels.
Many people worry, "Will the metal rust in the ground? Will dirt or
chemicals leach into the water?" Let's explore how justified these
concerns are.
What happens when a pile comes into contact with a wet
environment?
The pile itself is a pipe made of structural steel. But
plain steel isn't installed in the ground: it quickly rusts and loses its
load-bearing capacity. Therefore, manufacturers protect piles in three ways:
1. Hot-dip galvanizing
A thick layer of zinc that prevents the steel from coming
into contact with moisture. Lasts 30-50 years.
2. Polymer or powder coating
Additional "armor" over the zinc. Often used on
piles for wet and aggressive soils.
3. Liquid
anti-corrosion treatment after installation
Applied to
the cut edges after the piles have been trimmed to level.
This prevents
the pile from reacting chemically with the water. Therefore, rust in a
well is not a sign of a pile foundation.
Can piles damage aquifers?
Only if:
•
You
haven't done a geology survey and don't know where the aquifers are;
•
The
installer took a drastic approach and screwed the pile into clay through which
water flows.
However, even in this case, the water flow isn't disrupted;
it merely creates the risk of the water absorbing metal particles. With proper
galvanizing and treatment, this is eliminated.
How to install piles near water safely
Recommendations:
1.
Keep your distance. At least 5 meters from the
well, preferably 8-10.
2.
Use
factory-made piles with guaranteed protection. Don't use homemade or
"recycled" piles.
3.
After
screwing in, treat the top of the pile with bitumen or anti-corrosion
treatment. This is especially true if it was cut to level.
4.
In
coastal areas, install by hand. Do not use a vibrator or other equipment
to avoid causing ground movement.
Do screw piles damage
vegetation and wildlife on the site?
One of the main advantages of screw piles is their spot
installation. This means you don't have to dig up the entire site to the
ground, but simply place the supports where they're needed. This is a huge advantage
for nature. Let's look at how a pile foundation affects plants and local
wildlife.
Minimal disturbance to the landscape
When constructing a strip or slab foundation, you have to:
•
uproot trees and shrubs;
•
remove topsoil;
•
level
the site to the ground.
When using piles, none of this is necessary. The piles can
be carefully placed between trees without even disturbing the root system.
How it works:
•
First, mark the site.
•
Then
determine the location of the trees and the type of roots underground.
•
After
this, the piles are placed where there is no root mass. Sometimes,
instead of a smooth grid of supports, a customized design is used to avoid
damaging old trees. Yes, it's more work, but at least nature remains in place.
What about animals?
If construction is taking place in an area inhabited by
hedgehogs, shrews, lizards, or at the edge of a forest, piles are one of the
safest options.
Why:
•
There
is no excavation pit for animals to fall into;
•
No
heavy equipment is used that could trample the area;
•
Installation
takes 1-2 days, and noise is minimal.
Important points to consider:
1.
Do
not compact the soil with heavy equipment. It's better to use a power
drill or manual installation.
2.
Walk
around trees and large bushes. Not all roots are visible from the
surface, especially with fruit trees.
3.
Avoid
drilling during nesting season and when small animals are active. Spring
is not the best time for noise.
What can be left on the site:
•
Lawn
and flowers – easily restored after manual installation.
•
Shrubs
are not harmed if piles are screwed between them.
•
Trees
remain untouched if the supports are carefully spaced.
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