Piling Contractors
- Free site visits
- Free no obligation quotes
- Trustworthy & Honest service
- 12 Year warranty of all work
- Ability to attend jobs on short notice
- Cost effective foundation solutions
- 48 hour turn around on estimates
Here at Southern Foundations & Piling Ltd,
We are catered towards the domestic and commercial clients, We have great teams of piling & Underpinning contractors who are all in house trained and employed by our company and do not source outside contractors to take on work under our name. Our teams cover all over the south of the Uk and we have a wide variety of piling machines to undertake almost any job. We can undertake all of the associated ground works which go with piling so we can do the ground beams or your Rc raft ready for the builder to build straight on. We can also undertake full designs with our structural design team or work with your structural engineer always with a cost effective and practical method in mind. We like to offer a transparent service with no hidden or nasty extras at the end of our service and pride ourselves on being fair and honest to all of our clients.
Please contact our team on the below contact form or call to discuss your project with our estimator Tom.
Office Address
Southern Foundations & Piling | Piling & Mini Piling Contractors UK
Working Hours
Mon - Fri: 8:00-17:30 Saturday: 9:00-13:00 Sunday: Closed
What is Piling?
Piling is a highly versatile construction technique used by piling foundation contractors. It refers to the process of driving piles, which are long, slender structural elements, typically made of steel, concrete, or wood, deep into the ground to support infrastructure. Piles are driven or inserted into the ground using a pile driver, which can be a machine that uses impact or vibration to drive the piles into the soil.
What is Mini Piling?
Mini piling refers to a type of piling technique typically used in construction projects where access is restricted or the size and weight of the piling equipment need to be minimised. Mini piling is usually carried out by a piling specialist. It involves the installation of smaller diameter piles, typically ranging from 150mm to 300mm in diameter, using specialised equipment in the installation process.
Mini piling is commonly used in urban areas with limited space where larger piling equipment cannot be used. Mini piling can also be used in sensitive environments where noise and vibration need to be minimised, such as near existing structures, railways, and hospitals.
Piling Applications
A piling company undertakes piling for various construction and civil engineering projects. Here are some of the common applications taken up by the piling contractors:
- Building Foundations: Piling supports the foundation of buildings, including residential, commercial, and industrial structures. Piles can be driven or drilled into the ground to provide a stable base that can support the structure’s weight.
- Bridges and Highways: Piling supports the foundation of bridges and highways, providing stability and strength to these structures. Piling is often used in areas where the soil is soft or unstable or with a subsidence risk.
- Retaining Walls: Piling can be used to create retaining walls designed to hold back soil and prevent erosion. Piling can create a strong and stable foundation for these walls, supporting and preventing collapse.
- Coastal Structures: Piling is not only used by domestic piling contractors for residential properties but is also commonly used to construct coastal facilities, such as jetties, breakwaters, and seawalls. These structures are designed to protect the shoreline from erosion and wave damage, and piling provides a strong foundation to support them.
- Infrastructure Projects: Piling is used to construct many infrastructure projects, including tunnels, water treatment plants, and power stations. Piling provides a strong foundation that can support the weight of these structures and prevents settlement or subsidence.
What is the Basic Piling Process?
The piling process may vary depending on the type of piling technique used but usually includes the following steps:
- Site Investigation: Before the piling process begins, our piling contractors will ensure that the site is ready to carry out construction activities. The site must also be investigated to determine the soil conditions and the load-bearing capacity required for the piles. Soil samples are tested to determine the soil type, strength, and depth.
- Pile Design: Once the site investigation is complete, the piles are designed to meet the structure’s load-bearing requirements. The type and size of the piles and the depth and spacing are determined based on the soil conditions and the structural requirements.
- Pile Installation: The piles are then installed into the ground. This can be done using various techniques, including driven piling, in which the piles are driven into the ground using impact or vibration, or drilled piling, in which holes are drilled into the ground and filled with concrete and steel reinforcement.
- Testing and Inspection: Once the piles are installed, they are tested to ensure they meet the required load-bearing capacity. This is done using load tests, in which weights are applied to the piles to determine their strength and stability. The piles are also inspected to ensure that they have been installed correctly and that there are no defects or damage.
- Structural Connections: After the piles have been tested and inspected, the structural connections between the piles and the foundation of the structure being built are installed. This may involve attaching steel or concrete beams to the piles to support the superstructure.
Take a look at Southern Foundations and Piling Ltd!
Advantages of Using Piling Techniques
Some of the most significant advantages of piling include:
- Stability and Strength: Piling provides a stable and robust foundation for structures, ensuring they can withstand the weight and stresses placed on them. Piles are driven deep into the ground to provide a solid foundation that is not affected by changes in the soil conditions, such as settling or subsidence.
- Versatility: Piling can be used in various soil conditions, making it a versatile foundation method. Piles can be driven or drilled into soil, rocks, or other materials to provide a stable foundation for various structures.
- Reduced Settlement: Piling can help reduce the structure’s settlement over time, as the piles provide a stable foundation that does not compress or settle. This can help reduce the risk of structural damage and increase the structure’s lifespan.
- Cost-Effective: Piling can be a cost-effective foundation method, especially in poor soil conditions. Using piling to provide a stable foundation can minimise the need for extensive site preparation or other costly foundation methods.
- Minimal Environmental Impact: Piling can have a minimal effect on the environment. It typically involves a small amount of soil disturbance and can be used in sensitive areas where other foundation methods may not be suitable.
Different Types of Piling Techniques
There are several types of piling, each with its advantages and disadvantages:
- Driven Piles: Driven piles are usually made of steel, timber, or precast concrete and are driven into the ground using an impact hammer or a vibratory hammer. Driven piles are suitable for many soil conditions and are relatively quick and easy to install.
- Bored Piles: Bored piles, also known as drilled piles, are created by drilling a hole into the ground and filling it with concrete and steel reinforcement. Bored piles are often used in dense soil conditions and can be drilled to significant depths.
- Screw Piles: Screw piles are installed by twisting them into the ground using a hydraulic torque motor. Screw piles are suitable for various soil conditions and can be installed quickly and easily. Our screw piling contractors specialise in this technique.
- Micro Piles: Micro piles are small diameter piles, usually less than 300mm, and are used in areas with limited access or headroom. Micro piles can be installed using either drilling or driving and are often used to support smaller structures, such as signs or fences.
- Continuous Flight Auger Piles: Our CFA piling contractors employ continuous flight augers to drill holes into the ground and fill them with concrete. CFA piles are suitable for various soil conditions and can be drilled to significant depths.
- Sheet Piles: At Southern Foundations Piling, our sheet piling contractors often use sheet piles, interlocking steel sheets driven into the ground to create a retaining wall. Sheet piles, such as wharves or piers, are often used in waterfront construction projects.
FAQs
How is Piling Installed?
Piling can be installed using various methods, including driving, drilling, and twisting. The process depends on the type of pile installed and the site’s soil conditions.
How Long Does Piling Take?
The time it takes to install piling depends on various factors, including the type of piling method used, the size and number of piles required, and the soil conditions at the site. In general, piling can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to complete.
How Much Does Piling Cost?
The piling cost varies depending on various factors, including the type of piling method used, the size and number of piles required, and the soil conditions at the site. In general, piling can be a cost-effective foundation method for structures in areas with poor soil conditions.
Can Piling Be Used Even if Site Conditions Permit the Construction of Traditional Foundations?
Yes. For many construction projects, piling methods may be more feasible and less costly than building traditional foundations.
Areas We Cover
Southern Foundations & Pilings Ltd contractors offer Piling, Mini Piling, and Foundation services in the following areas:
- Redruth
- Falmouth
- St Austell
- Newquay
- Penzance
- Saltash
- Truro
- Bodmin
Areas We Cover
Southern Foundations & Pilings Ltd contractors offer Piling, Mini Piling, and Foundation services in the following areas:
- Redruth
- Falmouth
- St Austell
- Newquay
- Penzance
- Saltash
- Truro
- Bodmin
Areas We Cover
Southern Foundations & Pilings Ltd contractors offer Piling, Mini Piling, and Foundation services in the following areas:
- Redruth
- Falmouth
- St Austell
- Newquay
- Penzance
- Saltash
- Truro
- Bodmin
Areas We Cover
Southern Foundations & Pilings Ltd contractors offer Piling, Mini Piling, and Foundation services in the following areas:
- Plymouth
- Exeter
- Torquay
- Paignton
- Redruth
- Falmouth
- St Austell
- Newquay
- Penzance
- Saltash
- Truro
- Bodmin
