Grout Piles are the ideal solution when the failed footings are located in sand. The theory is very similar to bored piers but unlike bored piers when the augers are removed from the ground the pier is prone to collapsing because it is drilled in sand. With this method we can drill piers to a depth of 10 metres with a diameter of 450mm. As with bored piers we dig a pit 600mm – 700mm below the existing footing with the width of the pit being the width of the existing footing.

There is difference between the augers that we use for grout piles and bored piers. The difference is the augers used for grout pile have a hole with a 100mm diameter running down the centre of the auger. After we have achieved the required depth for the pier, as per your engineer’s specifications, we place a hose in the hole down the centre of the auger. Before removing the auger from the hole we pump what is know as acquagel down the auger. This process firms up the side of the pier and stops the sand from collapsing. Once the acquagel reaches the top of the pier we then pump grout through the hoses while the augers are being withdrawn.

After this procedure we drive the steel reinforced cage into the grout for extra support. The procedure then follows the standard of tying a steel headstock from the top of the cage to underneath the existing footings. One the grout is set we pour concrete into the pit leaving a void between the new concrete and the existing footing for jacking purposes.