Large screw type piled decking foundations

[Post and beam]

I have started to get a load of facebook adverts for a type of decking solution that uses what look like 5 foot long wood screws driven into the soil in a square pattern arrangement.

As i will need to build up the area behind our new build by as much as a metre to give us a level patio area i wonder if this might be a good solution.

So, does anyone recognise what i mean and have you used it or considered this product?

[JohnMo]

Posts and postcrete?

 

I did mine with 15mm thick galvanized plates concreted in place.

 

 

The end near the house sits on a blockwork ledge formed when we did the foundation. Secured with brackets.

 

[Mr Punter]

Decking looks OK when it is first installed but with softwood it does not last long.  I doubt the timber screw piles will be very durable.

[Peaklander]

2 hours ago, Mr Punter said:

Decking looks OK when it is first installed but with softwood it does not last long.

My decking was installed over twenty years ago and is in great condition. It is exposed to sun and wind (it's about 1m above ground level) and I think this helps.

The piers sit onto concrete pillars in the ground (holes drilled with a huge auger).

 

I treat it every few years with Hicksons Decor wax (sadly now ceased production).

[Mr Punter]

1 hour ago, Peaklander said:

My decking was installed over twenty years ago and is in great condition. It is exposed to sun and wind (it's about 1m above ground level) and I think this helps.

The piers sit onto concrete pillars in the ground (holes drilled with a huge auger).

 

I treat it every few years with Hicksons Decor wax (sadly now ceased production).

 

Yes the sun and wind will dry it and that will prolong the life considerably.  The concrete pillars will help a lot too.  20 years is very good.

[Roger440]

4 hours ago, Mr Punter said:

Decking looks OK when it is first installed but with softwood it does not last long.  I doubt the timber screw piles will be very durable.

 

I dont think he mans the screw piles are made of timber. They would be galvanised steel.

[Mr Punter]

3 minutes ago, Roger440 said:

 

I dont think he mans the screw piles are made of timber. They would be galvanised steel.

 

OK he did say 

6 hours ago, Post and beam said:

5 foot long wood screws driven into the soil

But I think you are right.

[Post and beam]

11 hours ago, Roger440 said:

I dont think he mans the screw piles are made of timber. They would be galvanised steel.

Yes they would be steel.  

Perhaps i should have said 'woodscrews' not wood screws.

 

Anyway, i have read up on this somewhat since yesterday. Not as rare or new idea as i thought.  Now i need to decide whether this idea or old fashioned brick piers to support a deck is the best option. As i said, i need to bring the level up by almost a metre closest to the house.

[Post and beam]

I meant furthest from the house of course. 

[BotusBuild]

5ft long screw piles will not be long enough to make up your 1m. 

You'd need 9ft long piles to get stability IMHO (not a structural engineer). I'd be putting in some concrete piles (as per above) and building up from those.

 

A builder friend of mine is sold on these screw piles, but did say they have their place for small extensions, garden rooms etc.

Edited 5 hours ago by BotusBuild