When are helical piles preferable to sonotubes for additions and decks (soil reports, frost heave)?
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Helical piles are great if you have bad ground or a lot of frost, and they’re quick to put in without making a mess. But if you have simple building on ground that’s in good condition, sonotubes should work just fine. Just check your soil reports and frost depth first.
Helical piles beat sonotubes when soils are weak, wet, frost-susceptible, or access is tight, they install fast, work in cold weather, resist heave, and can take load immediately.
Sonotubes win on cost in dry, stable soils with easy digging and time to cure.
Soil reports showing soft/organic fill, high groundwater, or frost-susceptible silt usually point to helicals
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Helical piles beat sonotubes when soil conditions are tricky like loose fill, high water tables, or areas prone to frost heave. They’re driven deep to stable strata, bypassing problem soil, and can be installed year-round with minimal digging. If a soil report shows poor bearing capacity or big frost-movement risk, helical piles often mean faster installs, no waiting for concrete to cure, and less chance of shifting over time.
Helical piles are best for poor or expansive soils, deep frost zones, tight or sloped sites, and fast installation.
Sonotubes on the other hand, are suitable for stable soils with moderate frost depth and lower budgets.
Remember to always choose based on soil reports and frost heave risk.
Helical piles beat sonotubes in poor soils, high water tables, or frost-prone areas
Hence,they install quickly, resist heave, and work without deep excavation.