Choosing the Right Foundation for Your Franklin County Deck: Why Sandy Soil Demands Smart Solutions

Building a deck in Franklin County, Washington presents unique challenges due to the region’s sandy soil conditions. While the area’s agricultural landscape benefits from well-draining sandy soils, deck builders must carefully consider foundation options to ensure long-term stability and safety. The site has silty and sandy soils that help limit contaminants moving deeper underground, which is characteristic of much of Franklin County’s terrain.

Understanding Franklin County’s Sandy Soil Challenge

Sandy soils in Franklin County present specific challenges for deck foundations. Sandy or loamy soils may allow for blocks, while clay or shifting soils call for poured concrete or piers. The region’s sandy soil may not offer enough support without proper reinforcement, making foundation selection critical for deck stability and longevity.

Sandy soils: Hold between 0.5-1 in. of water per ft. soil, which means they drain quickly but may not provide the bearing capacity needed for traditional foundation methods. This characteristic requires careful consideration when choosing between concrete piers and helical piles.

Concrete Piers: The Traditional Approach

Concrete piers have been the go-to foundation choice for decades in deck construction. Poured concrete footings have been used as deck foundations for decades, and when done correctly, are an excellent choice in many situations. Poured concrete deck foundations can last for many decades and most often outlive a pressure-treated deck built on them.

However, concrete piers face significant challenges in Franklin County’s sandy soil conditions. Concrete footings have long been a favored foundation option for decks, yet they present several challenges. A notable concern is their propensity to crack and shift, particularly in regions subjected to freeze-thaw conditions. Additionally, When installing concrete piers, your material cost will run about $70, and the install time will be between two and three days.

The installation process for concrete piers requires excavation, which can be problematic in sandy conditions. Excavation of holes creates the need to dispose of or relocate soil. Cannot be installed in areas with high water tables.

Helical Piles: The Modern Solution for Sandy Soils

Helical piles, also known as screw piles, offer superior performance in Franklin County’s sandy soil conditions. Helical piers are steel shafts with screw-like blades driven deep into the soil with specialized machinery. They distribute the weight of the structure into the ground, preventing shifting or settling and protecting the deck’s long-term stability.

The advantages of helical piles in sandy soil are significant. They can be used in various soil conditions, including sandy, clay, or loamy soils, making them a versatile option for deck foundations. In softer soils, such as sand or loose topsoil, foundation screws with larger helical plates offer greater resistance and prevent displacement. This ensures that the screws remain securely anchored in the soil, even in less compact ground conditions.

Installation and Performance Comparison

The installation process differs dramatically between these two foundation types. Helical piers (piles) can be installed in a couple of hours using specialized equipment, reducing construction time and labor costs. This speed advantage is particularly beneficial for homeowners who want to minimize disruption to their property.

Helical piles also offer environmental benefits. Unlike the traditional way of setting posts in the ground, helical piles create minimal damage to your yard during installation. The old way requires digging deep, wide holes (14in diameter) in the ground that are difficult to fill back in. Helical piles are screwed into the ground using a drill, the soil disturbance is much lower, leaving your yard looking much cleaner.

Long-term Stability and Load Capacity

For Franklin County’s sandy soil conditions, helical piles provide superior long-term stability. With helical piles, however, you can be confident that your deck foundation will remain stable and secure for decades. These piles are 4-6ft in the ground compared to 3ft with a typical 4×4 post.

Will never heave or sink is a key advantage of helical piles, particularly important in areas with sandy soils that may shift or settle over time. Installed deep into the ground, beneath the frost line, they solidly support the structure in even the most extreme conditions. Our technology guarantees that a helical (screw) pile foundation won’t move or crack over time.

Cost Considerations

While the initial investment in helical piles may be higher, they often prove more cost-effective over time. On average, screw piles (helical pier) cost $250 per standard screw pile That price includes the full installation, brackets, and a helpful little engineering report at the end. Generally speaking, helical pier footings can be a more cost-effective option for your deck project in the long run.

Professional Installation Matters

Regardless of the foundation type chosen, professional installation is crucial for success in Franklin County’s sandy soil conditions. When searching for a qualified deck builder Franklin County, WA, it’s essential to work with contractors who understand local soil conditions and building requirements.

Nailed It Construction TC serves Franklin County with over 30 years of experience in construction. Based in Kennewick, WA, we understand the unique needs of Tri-Cities properties, from navigating local building codes to choosing materials suited for Eastern Washington’s climate. Their expertise in local conditions makes them well-equipped to recommend the appropriate foundation solution for each specific project.

Making the Right Choice for Your Project

For Franklin County homeowners planning deck construction, helical piles offer significant advantages over traditional concrete piers in sandy soil conditions. The combination of faster installation, superior stability, minimal site disturbance, and long-term reliability makes them an excellent investment for deck foundations.

Screw piles have many advantages over poured concrete deck foundations, with their flexibility of installation being the largest benefit. The ability to install screw pile foundations in areas where concrete foundations are not possible allows us to build decks for clients in spaces otherwise thought to be impossible.

When planning your deck project in Franklin County, consider the long-term benefits of choosing the right foundation system from the start. With the region’s sandy soil conditions, helical piles provide the stability and peace of mind that will keep your deck safe and level for decades to come.