DIY screw piles for a small low deck

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › DIY screw piles for a small low deck

Dynamic

3869 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#261761 13-Dec-2019 16:40

Hi Team

Has anyone come across screw piles (ground screws) that you can DIY? I'd like to build a small low deck (500mm off the grass) that I anticipate will only need to last 10 years, and I don't really want to dig and concrete posts if there is another cost effective option. There are a number of companies that install them commercially.

Example of the screw pile I'd like to use https://slutagrav.se/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/balkskruv_vara_skruvar2.png

I believe they are installed with a powerful slow spinning drill-like gadget that is braced, so that would need to be rented. You can also install them manually with a long lever, but I don't have that much space available. My Google-fu is letting me down.

Cheers

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

Referral links to services I use, really like, and may be rewarded if you sign up:
PocketSmith for budgeting and personal finance management. A great Kiwi company.

semigeek

1606 posts

Uber Geek

#2374967 13-Dec-2019 18:04

What about using Tuff Blocks or would that make your deck too low? Though that site shows Nurajacks which may be useful too.

https://www.onestopdeckshop.co.nz/timbers/joist-support/

neb

11294 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2375290 14-Dec-2019 14:27

If you're not worried about long life you can also get piles that rest in plastic bases/pads/feet that spread the weight on the ground, you just need a level area to set them in. In the case of not finding screw piles with google, try "helical pile". The pile pads/whatever will be easier though if you're trying to minimise effort.

ObSnark: If you want a deck that'll only last a decade, I can put you in touch with the Casa de Cowboy builders.

tchart

2380 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#2375297 14-Dec-2019 15:11

+1 for tuff blocks. Great product.

raytaylor

4017 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2378104 18-Dec-2019 23:17

If you find a local supplier for the screw pile driver machine then I am keen to know more.

I have a bunch about to arrive for solar panel framing and we are using a long pole and two guys to drive them in, and trying to modify a dingo with a post hole auger to be able to drive them in. But I'd rather not get a contractor out to just drive in 6 piles every month so i am looking to get the proper machne. The woman on alibaba said they have a local supplier but wont sell me one - instead they say i need to go to our local dealer. When I ask for their contact info, she seems to avoid the question.

Ray Taylor

There is no place like localhost

Spreadsheet for Comparing Electricity Plans Here

mdubsnz

64 posts

Master Geek

Subscriber

#2378107 18-Dec-2019 23:29

We used these guys - https://stopdigging.co.nz/ - for 3 screws when building a side gate on a hard clay base. Were reasonably priced and all done within an hour. Had I found out about them before building our deck with nurajacks, I most likely would have gone that direction for the foundations.

From memory, he just used a Makita powered (not Li battery) ‘impact driver’ with an appropriate head to fit the screws and an extendable arm, as illustrated on the website for, leverage/stability.

Dynamic

3869 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2378133 19-Dec-2019 06:27

mdubsnz: We used these guys - https://stopdigging.co.nz/ - for 3 screws when building a side gate on a hard clay base. Were reasonably priced and all done within an hour. Had I found out about them before building our deck with nurajacks, I most likely would have gone that direction for the foundations.

From memory, he just used a Makita powered (not Li battery) ‘impact driver’ with an appropriate head to fit the screws and an extendable arm, as illustrated on the website for, leverage/stability.

Thank you for mentioning this. Can you share the price? That would give me a very rough 'price per pile' to think about.

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

Referral links to services I use, really like, and may be rewarded if you sign up:
PocketSmith for budgeting and personal finance management. A great Kiwi company.

mdubsnz

64 posts

Master Geek

Subscriber

#2378145 19-Dec-2019 08:08

Prices below.

Edit: Just double checked invoice as had the work done in June and no change from the price listed.

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

Dynamic

3869 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2378146 19-Dec-2019 08:14

Fantastic, thank you. That's really helpful.

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

Referral links to services I use, really like, and may be rewarded if you sign up:
PocketSmith for budgeting and personal finance management. A great Kiwi company.