Piling is a widely-used construction technique, but one that’s perhaps not hugely well-known outside the trade, which means that a sizeable proportion of the general public often don’t realise exactly how important it is in keeping the buildings around us safe, stable and secure. In fact, piling has been doing that for thousands of years – the practice is estimated to date back to the 4th century BC, where people would use it to build dwellings on unstable soil. The Greek writer Herodotus witnessed the people of Paeonia using the technique to build their homes on lake beds, for example.

The technology has obviously considerably advanced since then, but the principle remains the same. Today, piling offers a range of advantages that considerably enhance the stability, longevity, and cost-effectiveness of construction projects – whether that’s for residential homes, commercial buildings, bridges or industrial complexes. Here’s our quick roundup of the top benefits!

Effectively improves structural integrity

One of the most obvious (and important) benefits of piling is its ability to reliably improve the structural integrity of buildings and infrastructure, especially in unstable environments. Driving piles deep into the ground effectively creates a particularly strong and secure foundation, compared to standard foundations. Piled foundations are capable of supporting especially heavy loads, all the while withstanding common environmental stresses such as soil movement. All that helps to minimise the risk of structural failure or collapse, ensuring durability, longevity, and peace of mind.

Highly versatile

Essentially, pile foundations can be used anywhere you can’t usually drill holes into, and they’re notable for their versatility, which encompasses various different soil types and conditions. Whether the site in question involves working with soft, unstable soils, water-saturated ground, or challenging geological formations, experts (like our team here at Vxcel) can adapt our piling techniques to suit the specific requirements of the project at hand. And of course, if you ever need any advice on exactly what sort of piling solution you may need, we can always provide detailed answers there, too!

A rapid, cost-effective solution

With lots of projects, it’s not always necessarily obvious from the outset that piling might be required. So when it eventually becomes clear, that can understandably lead to concerns about costs and delays. Happily though, it’s a cost-effective and rapid solution with long-lasting benefits – especially given its ability to save you structural issues and costly repairs further down the line. What’s more, the extra stability it provides can facilitate the construction of taller, larger or otherwise more ambitious structures, giving homeowners more creative or practical options to improve their space, or enabling maximum return on investment for developers and stakeholders.

Personally, we’ve been doing this a long time here at Vxcel Piling – well over a decade – so we’ve had plenty of time to refine the efficiency of our operations. That means you don’t have to worry about lengthy back-and-forths, or weeks waiting on reports or surveys. We prioritise speed without sacrificing quality or safety, and the piling itself often takes no more than a single working day, which means the entire process often takes no more than three to five days.

Reduces the risk of ‘settlement’

Settlement is the term used in the trade to refer to the gradual sinking or displacement of a structure. This can pose significant challenges for construction projects, potentially leading to uneven floors, cracked walls, and compromised structural integrity – all of which can make a building unsafe to anyone using it, visiting it, or even moving around it. Piling helps mitigate these risks by providing a solid foundation that distributes the weight of the structure evenly, which works to minimise the likelihood of settlement over time.

Environmental sustainability

In addition to its structural advantages, piling can also contribute to environmental sustainability in construction projects. The technique minimises the need for extensive excavation and ground preparation, helping to reduce soil disturbance and minimise the project’s environmental footprint. What’s more, the longevity of structures built on pilings works to effectively reduce the frequency of maintenance and replacement, so that fewer material resources are then consumed over time.

Those are just some of the most universal advantages – you may well find that there are even more specific ones that apply to your individual project! And of course, if you’ve got any questions about any of the information we’ve supplied above, or you’re ready to take the first steps with your own project, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team on 01254 314010, and we’ll be happy to see how we can help.

We have around 15 years of experience behind us at Vxcel Piling, with a long history of delivering exceptional results – encompassing domestic projects, commercial properties, and industrial warehouses. To find out what we’ve achieved for previous customers, feel free to take a look through our case studies!