Piling is an essential technique used in the construction industry to strengthen excavations and provide vital support for below-ground projects. In fact, without piling it’d be almost impossible to develop the sorts of buildings we take for granted today: high rise apartments, office blocks, car parks and residential homes with basements.
The three main materials used for piling are wood, steel and concrete. Type and use is always dictated both by project requirements and soil composition, so it’s not uncommon to find that pile installation can vary hugely between projects. If you’re new to pile installation it’s probably best to do as much research as possible before your first job, and to begin by implementing the most simple techniques before building up your skills as a piling installer.
Easy Pile Installation
Piling isn’t necessarily the easiest of tasks to carry out but there are some ways in which you can make your piling project run more smoothly. You should begin by ensuring you have the right tools for the job by choosing professional piling equipment from a reputable piling company. Make sure the soil you’re working with is dry and not too rocky – this will help to ensure your piles go in straight and remain securely vertical once placed. Steel piles are perhaps the easiest to work with, as they offer a perfect combination of strength and durability, even in the face of adverse weather conditions. They’re also extremely cost effective.
Know Your Tools
Proper tools are vital in the construction industry, and nowhere is this more true than on a piling project. Because piling is an integral part of below-ground construction, shoddy workmanship in this area could lead to an entire building becoming structurally compromised. Proper tools will ensure your pilings are well-driven and capable of reliably bearing any necessary loads. These will include, but are not limited to:
- Guide structures for your piles, to make sure your spacing measurements are correct
- A hammer or hammers, with which to drive your piles
- Jetting equipment
- Protective caps, for increased safety after pile placement
Without a doubt, the most important tool you will need is a hammer. Piling hammers are very different to ordinary hammers – they’re much bigger, for a start, and are operated using hydraulic or mechanical energy. Your hammer should be chosen according to soil type and driving need, as using the right hammer will help to increase both driving accuracy and overall safety, whereas the wrong hammer can cause untold problems.