Ground Screws vs Screw Piles
If you are planning a deck, a sunroom, or a home addition in Nova Scotia, you have likely encountered two terms: "screw piles" and "ground screws." While they may look similar at a glance, they are fundamentally different in how they perform under pressure.
At Nova Helical Piles, we believe in doing the job once and doing it right. Here is why the distinction between these two products is critical for your project’s longevity.
What is a Ground Screw?
A ground screw is essentially a large metal screw designed for light-duty applications. They are often thinner, shorter, and lack the specialized blades required to anchor into deep, stable soil.
Best For: Fences, mailboxes, or small garden sheds.
The Risk: Ground screws act like a 'corkscrew' in the dirt; if the soil shifts or the frost grabs them, they can easily move or 'heave' out of position.
No Verification: Most ground screws are installed without any way to measure how much weight they can actually support.
What is a Helical Pile?
A true helical pile, such as the GoliathTech system we install, is an engineered foundation member. It consists of a high-strength central shaft with one or more helical plates (blades) welded to the bottom.
The Anchor Effect: The helical blades anchor deep into stable soil layers—well below the frost line.
Torque Measurement: We calculate exactly how many thousands of pounds of pressure that specific pile can support on-site.
Frost Protection: Frost cannot "grab" the pile and lift it; a common problem with cheap ground screws.
Nova Scotia Soil Demands Better
Our region is famous for its "heaving" ground. The intense freeze-thaw cycles in Eastern and Northern Nova Scotia can easily destroy an un-engineered foundation.
Standard ground screws often fail when they hit a rock or "cobble" during installation. Nova Helical Piles uses excavators to drive our GoliathTech piles with the power needed to bypass these obstacles, ensuring your foundation never moves.
Comparison at a Glance
Ground Screws
Engineering
Minimal
Load Bearing
Variable
Frost Resistance
Low
Installation
Light Duty
Best Use
Temporary
Helical Piles
Engineering
Certified
Load Bearing
High Capacity
Frost Resistance
Absolute
Installation
Professional
Best Use
Permanent
Foundation That Lasts a Lifetime
By choosing Nova Helical Piles and the GoliathTech system, you are choosing an engineered solution that is guaranteed to stay level and stable, year after year.