Can I Install Screw Piles Under an Existing Structure? | Calgary Foundation Guide
- DownForce Piling
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
When a deck starts to sag, a sunroom begins to pull away, or a foundation settles, Calgary homeowners often ask: “Can I Install Screw Piles Under an Existing Structure?”
The answer is a mix of technical reality and innovative engineering. While you can't simply "drive" a standard pile through a floor, Down Force Piling has two specific methods to stabilize or lift your structure without a total teardown.
The 10-Foot Rule: Why Standard Piles Usually Don't Fit
In a perfect world, you’d install screw piles before the building goes up. For a standard screw pile installation directly beneath a structure, you would need at least 10 feet of clearance above grade to accommodate the torque motors and the length of the pile.
Since most Calgary decks, sunrooms, and home additions sit much lower than 10 feet, we utilize two specialized "Retrofit" solutions.
Solution 1: Offset Brackets (The External Support)
If we can’t go through the structure, we go beside it. This is the most common solution for decks and home additions in Calgary.
How it works: We install the screw piles immediately adjacent to your existing foundation or rim joist.
The Connection: We use heavy-duty offset brackets that reach under the structure to catch the load.
The Benefit: This allows us to support or even level and lift the structure back to its original height without needing to be directly underneath it.
Solution 2: Underpinning & Push Piles (The Confined Space Specialist)
For structures with zero side access, or for foundations that need support from the interior, we use our specialized Underpinning System.
The Method: Instead of one long continuous pile, we use 3-foot sections of driven/push piles.
The Advantage: Because the sections are short, we can work in extremely confined spaces—like crawlspaces, basements, or tight alleyways between Calgary infills.
Lifting Power: This system is specifically designed to "push" against the weight of the structure to provide a permanent, rock-solid lift.
Why Choose Down Force Piling for Your Calgary Retrofit?
Calgary’s soil can be unpredictable, and "DIY" fixes for settling foundations often lead to more damage. At Down Force Piling, we specialize in:
Low-Impact Installation: We preserve your landscaping while fixing your foundation.
Calgary Climate Expertise: Our piles are driven deep below the frost line to ensure your structure stays level through the harshest winters.
Versatility: Whether it’s an offset bracket for a backyard deck or internal underpinning for a commercial floor, we have the gear to fit the space.
Get a Quote for Your Foundation Repair
Don't let a settling structure decrease your property value. If you need to support or lift an existing building in Calgary or the surrounding area, contact Down Force Piling today.
