Family-owned and operated since 2000, Complete Basement Systems (CBS) is proud to be Long Island’s longest-standing basement and crawl space repair company. For more than 25 years, we’ve helped homeowners protect their most valuable investment by preventing water and humidity damage. Our consultative approach sets us apart—we don’t just fix problems, we educate homeowners and deliver tailored solutions designed for lasting peace of mind.
Founded in 1984, PTS Foundation Supply (PTSFS) has been the Northeast’s go-to resource for helical piles, driven anchors, and installation equipment. From design to installation, we know how complex foundation projects can be. That’s why professionals across the region count on our 100+ years of collective experience to provide reliable products, expert insight, and a partnership that helps every project start—and finish—on solid ground.
Since 1973, Premium Technical Services (PTS) has been the Tri-State area’s trusted partner in foundation repair, below-grade waterproofing, and grouting. With more than 50 years of service and over 100 years of combined expertise on our team, we bring proven solutions to keep your foundation strong, dry, and secure for the long run.
Family-owned and operated since 2000, Complete Basement Systems (CBS) is proud to be Long Island’s longest-standing basement and crawl space repair company. For more than 25 years, we’ve helped homeowners protect their most valuable investment by preventing water and humidity damage. Our consultative approach sets us apart—we don’t just fix problems, we educate homeowners and deliver tailored solutions designed for lasting peace of mind.
Founded in 1984, PTS Foundation Supply (PTSFS) has been the Northeast’s go-to resource for helical piles, driven anchors, and installation equipment. From design to installation, we know how complex foundation projects can be. That’s why professionals across the region count on our 100+ years of collective experience to provide reliable products, expert insight, and a partnership that helps every project start—and finish—on solid ground.
What Is a Helical Pile? Complete Guide for Engineers & Contractors
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At Premium Technical Services, we provide modern foundation solutions across New York and the Northeast, where challenging soil conditions and tight jobsite constraints are common. One of the most effective technologies we rely on is the helical pile system – also known as screw piles or helical piers. These innovative foundation elements deliver essential structural support for both permanent and temporary structures, even in poor soils or limited-access environments often found in the region.
Helical piles are steel shafts fitted with helical plates, designed to “screw” into the ground with minimal disturbance. Once installed, they transfer structural loads from the surface into deeper, more stable soil layers. This makes them an ideal choice for underpinning existing foundations, supporting new construction, and stabilizing structures where traditional deep foundation methods are impractical or too costly.
For engineers, contractors, and property owners across the Northeast, screw piles have become a go-to solution because of their versatility, speed of installation, and proven performance. Whether your project is located in a congested urban center, along a coastline, or on a remote inland site, helical piers provide a reliable, cost-effective option that minimizes downtime and avoids unnecessary disruption.
Definition and Purpose of Helical Piles
So what are helical piles? Helical piles, also known as screw piles or helical anchors, are a proven deep foundation solution designed to provide long-lasting structural support in a variety of soil conditions. At their core, they consist of a steel central shaft fitted with one or more helical flights (helix-shaped bearing plates) that are rotated into the ground.
A typical helical pile system is made up of three primary components. The lead section is the first piece installed and includes the helices that cut into the soil and provide bearing capacity. Extensions are then coupled to the lead section and to one another, allowing the pile to advance deeper into the ground until stable, load-bearing soil layers are reached. Finally, terminations connect the pile to the structure. These can include new construction caps, foundation repair brackets, beam seat brackets, tieback adapters, or custom terminations for specialty applications.
During helical pile installation, the lead section is rotated into the ground, and multiple extensions can be coupled to advance the pile to the required depth. Once the appropriate load-bearing strata are reached, the pile transfers the weight of the structure into stronger soil layers below. This makes helical piles suitable for supporting everything from houses and boardwalks to bridges, buildings, and existing structures in need of underpinning.
Because they resist lateral loads as well as vertical forces, screw piles are highly versatile. They can be adapted with different shaft sizes, plate diameters, and configurations depending on soil conditions and load requirements. This makes them a trusted choice for both new construction and remedial foundation work where stability, speed, and reliability are critical.
A Brief History of Helical Piles
Although often seen as a “new” technology, helical piles (screw piles) have nearly two centuries of proven use:
- 1830s origins: Invented in the UK by Alexander Mitchell, individual helical piles were first used for marine structures such as lighthouses and moorings.
- Expansion to North America: By the late 1800s, hundreds of lighthouses along the U.S. East Coast were supported on screw piles, many of which still stand today.
- Early decline: Installation was extremely labor-intensive (men, animals, and late steam-powered drivers). With the advent of pile driving technology in the early 1900s, screw piles fell out of favor.
- Utility sector adaptation: Modified into ground anchors for guywires, valued for tension resistance but less effective in compression.
- Modern resurgence: With hydraulic motors, high-torque drives, and planetary gear technology, helical piles reemerged as a reliable deep foundation solution in the late 20th century.
- Engineering recognition: By the 1980s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers included them in foundation manuals. In 2009, Howard A. Perko, PhD, PE, published Helical Piles – A Practical Guide to Design and Installation.
- Today: Widely recognized in the International Building Code, with design standards advanced by the Deep Foundations Institute, helical piles are now used worldwide for projects ranging from light residential to ultra-high-capacity energy infrastructure.
How Helical Piles Work
Helical piles (or screw piles) are advanced into the ground using hydraulic drive heads until a project specific minimum depth and torque are achieved, confirming capacity. Because installation causes little to no soil displacement, they minimize environmental impact and adapt easily to site specific ground conditions.
Each pile consists of a central steel shaft with one or more helices that transfer axial loads to stronger soil layers. Helical piles are attached to structures using a pile cap, repair bracket, or other specialized termination depending on the specific application.
A major advantage is the torque-to-capacity relationship: the torque measured during installation provides a reliable indicator of performance under given soil conditions. While torque provides a reliable indicator of capacity, it is not a substitute for an in-situ load test. A geotechnical investigation should always be performed and helical test piles should not be used in place of a geotechnical investigation.
Compared to traditional methods such as auger cast piles or driven piles, helical piles install faster, create less vibration, and offer predictable performance across diverse ground conditions.
Helical Pile Design and Engineering
Helical piles are a highly adaptable deep foundation system that allow engineers to tailor their design to the specific structural load requirements and soils present on each project site. By analyzing the structural loads in conjunction with soil borings, engineers can determine which helical configuration (shaft type and size, number and size of the helices, and depth) will work best for that particular site. This flexibility allows helical piles to be used to support structures ranging from residential decks to large scale commercial buildings.
In order to properly design a helical pile, a Standard penetration Test (SPT) boring should be performed. This SPT boring will provide the soil data necessary to carry out the analysis to design a helical pile. The results of the analysis will provide the physical pile specifications as well as the minimum depth and torque needed to reach the specified capacity.
As each pile is advanced into the ground, real-time torque monitoring helps to confirm that the necessary capacity has been achieved.
Helical Pile Installation Process
Modern technology makes it possible to install helical piles on everything from residential decks to high-rise towers. While the principles remain the same, the scale of equipment varies depending on pile size, capacity, and soil conditions.
Equipment
Helical piles are installed using hydraulic drive heads which can be mounted on a wide range of equipment from portable equipment and walk behind machines to skid steers and large excavators. There are various factors that determine the equipment necessary for each specific project which include site access, pile size and capacity, and soil conditions. It is very important to tailor the equipment used to each project to ensure the piles are properly and safely installed.
Importance of Torque Monitoring
During the installation of helical piles, it is vital to monitor the installation torque. This is due to the fact that helical piles have a torque to capacity relationship, which allows helical pile capacity to be accurately predicted using the installation torque from a helical pile installation. This relationship is specific to each pile size and is based on emperical data taken from thousands of previous helical pile installations.
Typical Job Site Steps
- Layout and mark helical piles locations on the project site per the approved plans.
- Position and begin to install lead section at one of the marked locations.
- Couple on extensions as needed to continue advancing the helical pile to the minimum depth and torque specified on the approved plan.
- Once the minimum depth and torque are achieved, cut pile to elevation specified on plan.
- Attach specified termination to the top of pile.
During installation it is imperative to record the pile type, lead configuration, final pile depth, and termination torque on a pile log. On certain projects it may be required to have the pile log certified by an inspecting engineer.
Benefits of Helical Piles
Choosing helical piles offers significant advantages over traditional foundation systems, especially in challenging soil or restricted-access conditions.
- Fast installation: Helical piles can be installed quickly with minimal site preparation, reducing project timelines.
- Minimal disruption & quiet installation: With little soil displacement and compact equipment, projects can proceed even in tight spaces or around existing structures.
- Instant load-bearing: Once the target torque is reached, piles are ready to support loads immediately, with no curing time required.
- All-season capability: Unlike concrete foundations, helical piles can be installed in frozen ground, making winter installation possible.
- Eco-friendly & reusable: Piles can be removed and reused, making them an environmentally conscious deep foundation solution.
- Vibration free: Unlike many traditional pile types, helical pile installation is vibration free. This allows for installation directly adjacent to existing structures.
Limitations and Considerations
- Shallow refusal or bedrock: If bedrock or refusal is encountered at shallow depths, helical piles may not have the lateral stability or embedment necessary to work effectively.
- Hard soil conditions: Dense till or cobbles may require predrilling to ensure piles are bearing in a suitable soil layer.
- Lateral capacity: Helical piles are inherently slender elements and therefore may require augmentation where lateral loads are sufficient.
- Contractor expertise: Using proper equipment and installation practices is extremely important. Improper equipment and/or installation practices can negatively affect pile performance or limit installation.
Helical Piles vs Other Deep Foundation Systems
When selecting a deep foundation system, it’s important to compare helical piles to other common methods. Each has its advantages depending on the project.
- Driven piles: Installed by hammering steel, timber, or concrete into the ground. While effective, they generate significant noise and vibration, require heavy equipment, and often disrupt surrounding soil strata. Helical piles, by contrast, install quietly and with minimal disturbance.
- Auger cast piles: These use a continuous flight auger to drill into the ground, then pump grout under pressure as the auger is withdrawn. They are reliable but require curing time before load-bearing and produce spoils that must be managed. Helical piles are load-ready immediately with little to no soil displacement.
- Ground anchors/screw anchors: Primarily used for lateral or tensile resistance (guywires, retaining walls, etc.). Unlike helical piles, ground anchors are not designed to support high compressive loads.
Applications: Residential & Commercial Use Cases
Helical piles are used across a wide range of residential and commercial projects thanks to their speed, versatility, and ability to adapt to poor soil conditions or tight-access sites.
Residential Applications
- Decks, additions, porches, and sunrooms
- Rebuilding and stabilizing storm-damaged homes
- Solar arrays and ground-mounted systems
- Light structures in floor zones requiring elevation above base flood levels
Case Example - Mantoloking, NJ
After Hurricane Sandy, a residence in Mantoloking suffered severe foundation damage. Located in FEMA’s V-Zone, the home needed to be raised above base flood elevation. Engineers discovered a weak organic soil layer between 15 and 20 feet, requiring deep foundation support. Using a combination of 1.5” square shaft leads and 2-7/8” pipe extensions, contractors installed 27 helical piles to an average depth of 28 feet, achieving an average torque of 5,000 FT-LBS. The new foundation stabilized the home and allowed a new first story to be safely added above flood levels.
Commercial Applications
- Boardwalks, pedestrian walkways, and parks
- Signage, utility poles, and light towers
- Warehouses, schools, and healthcare facilities
- High-load projects in constrained job sites
Case Example - Coney Island Boardwalk (Brooklyn, NY)
As part of the post-Hurricane Sandy revitalization of the Coney Island Boardwalk, a new access point was needed near the Cyclone Roller Coaster. With heavy foot traffic expected, a deep foundation solution was essential. Helical piles were chosen because they could be installed without disrupting the adjacent boardwalk, amusement park structures, or pedestrians. Galvin Brothers Inc. installed 161 helical piles (3.50” pipe shaft), completing the project in time for the busy summer season of 2016.
Helical Pile FAQs
Helical piles are steel shafts with helical plates that are screwed into the ground to transfer loads to stable soil layers.
Helical piles galvanized according to ASTM A123 installed into normal soils can have a life expectancy in excess of 150 years.
Yes, they are widely used for new builds like decks, additions, and commercial buildings, but also for underpinning and stabilizing existing foundations that have settled or failed due to poor soil conditions.
Work With Premium Technical Services
At Premium Technical Services, we go beyond just answering the question, “What are helical piles?” – we deliver complete foundation and ground improvement solutions. Our team is licensed, experienced, and geotech-aware, with a deep understanding of local soil conditions across the Northeastern U.S. That knowledge allows us to design and install reliable systems that keep your projects on time and in budget.
From helical piles and permeation grouting to waterproofing and other specialty services, we provide the engineering support and custom solutions you need. By partnering with Premium Technical Services, contractors gain access to proven expertise and the confidence that their foundation system will perform for decades to come. To get started, give our team a call today at 516-409-6000.