A New Approach to Foundations
Discover a concrete-free foundation option that doesn't require any digging.
What if you could build a strong, stable foundation without ever lifting a shovel or mixing a batch of concrete? Stop Digging’s ground screws have made this a reality. The oversized steel screws twist directly into the earth, providing serious load-bearing power with minimal site disruption. Watch the video above or keep reading to learn more about these ground screws from Josh Salinger, CEO and founder of Birdsmouth Design Build.
Here’s the Transcript
If you’re thinking about an alternative foundation, you are not screwed! I’m here at IBS 2025 at the Stop Digging booth, and these are ground screws. They’re something you can use to support a lot of weight. You basically just show up on site, screw these things into the ground, and then set your foundation on top of that.
Oftentimes they’re used for decks, so you don’t have to mix concrete, dig the holes, or do all that extra work. Not to mention that concrete has really high embodied carbon; these things are completely recyclable and can be unscrewed in the future.
You can hook up any connector that you like on the top of these things, and then you can set your deck beam or foundation on it. In fact, there are a lot of off-the-shelf connectors that will connect to this.
The cool thing about this particular product is the Stop Digging proprietary motor that you can hook up to the screw. Once it’s hooked up, the motor then screws it into the ground. It can even tell you the torque that you need. Your engineer will spec that and give you the torque. Then you can read it off the device.
You can do this with just one person, which is kind of cool. Essentially you just show up on site, drill a starter hole, and then drive the screw into the ground before setting the machine on top. The machine plugs into a 110V outlet and drives the screw down into the ground. It’s a really cool system and a really interesting way to do some alternative foundations.
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