*
I’m currently looking at a large addition job in La Jolla, CA (San Diego.) Actually, only 3 existing walls are remaining to avoid another permitting process. New house is 2 full stories over basement. The engineer calls for 7 caissons supporting a pier and grade-beam foundation, but in 3 locations he is considering using helical pilings. Anyone have experience using them?
Also, can these be used to shore up the existing footer under the existing walls in lieu of a new footer underneath? thanks
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
The FHB Podcast crew takes a closer look at an interesting roof.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
*
Syd: FHB had an article on helical piers being used to fix a house with a sinking foundation. A considerably more ambitous use of them because, once installed, they cut the old foundation with a concrete saw and jacked it back up to level. Issue #104, September 1996, pages 92-95. Read it, see what those wacky Canadians did, and then be reassured that your application is quite mundane.
So yes, you could shore up an existing footer.
On the dark (and humorous) side, check out Carl Hiaasen's "Stormy Weather" featuring his usual mix of South Florida wackos and sleazeballs including the flock of itinirent building contractors descending on Homestead after the hurricane, inspectors on the take, and improperly installed auger tie-downs. The ultimate fates of these characters and the distribution of their various body parts is both amusing and gratifying.
La Jolla is nice in some ways, but permitting nightmares there don't surprise me. Whereas I got my new house permit (Kenai, Alaska) in 1-1/2 days and the fee was $355. And every non-standard thing I've wanted to do has been approved by the inspector. -David
*Syd,I used the helical anchors as an achor for a retaining wall at lake erie last year. We used Chance systems. It took some doing to get an "authorized" dealer to install thm But they seem to be working great.
*
What's this about wacky Canadians, I resemble that remark!
*
I'm currently looking at a large addition job in La Jolla, CA (San Diego.) Actually, only 3 existing walls are remaining to avoid another permitting process. New house is 2 full stories over basement. The engineer calls for 7 caissons supporting a pier and grade-beam foundation, but in 3 locations he is considering using helical pilings. Anyone have experience using them?
Also, can these be used to shore up the existing footer under the existing walls in lieu of a new footer underneath? thanks