What you need to know prior to a helical pile installation-

If you are planning a new construction or a renovation project with Techno Metal Post, you need to know the following: It is essential to check if your property has any underground utilities before installing the helical piles.

As with any excavation work, you must ensure that no utility infrastructure (such as water, sewage, electricity, gas or internet) is in the area where the piles are to be installed.

Whose responsibility is it?

Either the property owner or the contractor is responsible for verifying the site before the Techno Metal Post installer arrives.

As a rule, nothing should be closer than 1.2 m (4 ft.) from where the piles will be installed.

Getting started-

First, you must find and contact a local authority or utility locator that can provide you with the “locates” or necessary information. Here is a website that can guide you, free of charge, for the public area of your property (between the street and your property line) www.clickbeforeyoudig.com.

As for the property’s private area (between your property line and your house), you are responsible for checking that everything is safe. If you are unsure where the utilities run, you can call on specialists who offer underground infrastructure location services.

Why is this important?

A broken pipe or a severed electrical line can cause major damage and be expensive to fix. That is why proper planning and infrastructure verifications are essential before starting any work.

Please help us welcome Steve Jordan, proud new owner of Techno Metal Post Hudson Valley. This dealership has officially transitioned from its previous owner Khan Ellis to Steve, who is excited to carry forward the legacy of Techno Metal Post in this region.

Steve presently lives in Orange County, New York, with his wife and 2 children. He enjoys doing outdoor activities such as mountain biking, traveling, and camping with his family.

Originally from Minnesota, Steve earned a mechanical engineering degree from the US Naval Academy. After graduation, he moved to San Diego to start training at BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL) in San Diego. Steve served 7 years and 2 deployments as a Navy SEAL.

Steve separated from the Navy after his last deployment and accepted an operations engineer position with Microsoft in Wyoming. He led 40 critical environment technicians on preventative and emergency maintenance for HVAC and power generation. After a successful 2 years with Microsoft, Steve pivoted into management consulting and moved to New York with the intent of finding a business that he could buy and operate.

It was during this search that Steve met Khan and discovered Techno Metal Post. Steve knew he had found the right opportunity when he joined the annual dealer meeting. He told us, “I was impressed by the strong brand, and your excellent product. Getting to interact with the other dealers and seeing a supportive network sealed the deal for me.”

Today, Steve leads a team of five and they all look forward to growth opportunities ahead. We welcome Steve to our network and wish him great luck in his future endeavors!

A growing concern

Techno Metal Post is aware that currently, many people are living in high-water table zones.  Some are there by choice (coastal homes, cottages, etc.), while others, come across these locations by circumstance.  Structures that weren’t previously in flood zones, now find themselves in these situations, due to seasonal patterns, land development, or other causes. Also, regions where these tables were once “normal”, are now in areas where water is increasingly on the rise.

Zones with a high-water table are most common in low lying areas, or in locations where soil has poor drainage.  As a result, this can cause significant damage to homes, and nearby structures. With this, there is an ever-growing need for secure, reliable, and durable foundations.

Techno Metal Post addresses this, with our helical pile foundations. A perfect solution for protecting your structure/s and ensuring your home remains stable in high-water table areas that experience flooding issues.

Why install Techno Metal Post’s helical piles instead of traditional concrete footings in these conditions?

Installing a Techno Metal Post helical pile foundation, allows you to build your home or other structures in any soil condition, even in a high-water table.  Our helical piles are ideal for challenging terrain, including flood plains, as they require no excavation.

There’s no avoiding that concrete footings require excavation, and doing so in high-water zones, creates challenges greater than expected. Factoring the cost of time and labor, you also need to consider the following: Digging close to a high-water table allows water to flow freely, making pumping, drainage, and repair inevitable. Afterwards, footings must dry before pouring and finally the completed project must pass final inspection.

Our helical piles are simply screwed into the ground with our specialized equipment, which can access any terrain – wet, dry, or frozen. There is no digging or concrete involved, no mess, and no need for inspections which allows you to build immediately.

Your Techno Metal Post foundation remains strong, solid, and durable, and is able to withstand wet environments. Our recommended green polyethylene sleeve offers protection between the bogged soil (or direct water contact) and the pile, so there is also no risk of it lifting during the freeze/thaw cycles of winter conditions.

Techno Metal Post’s helical piles are the guaranteed solution to protect your home investment, whether you live along a riverbank, adjacent to a flood plain, or simply in an area with high-water tables.

Justin Beaton, a husband and father of two daughters with a third child on the way, joins us as the new dealer for Techno Metal Post Edmonton Area.

An electrician by trade, Justin has also worked on various construction projects over the years, including building homes. In addition, he’s been involved in heavy civil coordination and contributed to building trains for the LRT in Edmonton.

His journey to Techno Metal Post was influenced by Christian Rousseau, the President and General Manager of TMP Alberta. Justin had our helical piles installed in his home and was immediately impressed by the benefits they offered. He saw a future potential for starting a dealership in the Edmonton area and patiently waited for that opportunity to arise.

His diverse background has equipped him with valuable experience for his new role with Techno Metal Post. We are excited to have Justin on board and welcome him to this ever-growing family. Much success ahead!

Ever considered providing additional living space for family members, generating extra income from your property, or having a separate workspace area? Laneway houses might be your answer as they’ve become increasingly popular across Canada over the last little while.

These structures, also known as second dwelling units, coach or garden suites, are typically situated in a property’s backyard, separate from the primary residence. They provide many benefits and offset the issues of housing shortages, increased land and rent prices in B.C., Ontario, and Alberta. In recent months, many incentives have been put forward specifically for these types of construction. As you make use of your available space, you’re also contributing to a more sustainable living environment.

As with any structure, you’ll need to build a solid foundation, and Techno Metal Post’s helical piles offer the solution for your laneway house construction. There are countless advantages of using Techno Metal Post’s helical piles, so let’s review a few below…

1. Engineering support: We provide in-house engineering support and documentation for municipal compliance. This ensures an easier approval process while your laneway house meets all the necessary requirements.
2. Access in restricted areas: Our specialized equipment can access confined areas with minimal impact. This preserves the surrounding environment, and integrity of your property.
3. Low noise impact: The installation process is quiet, making it ideal for urban areas.
4. No excavation required: Installing our piles requires no excavation. This saves time and money and reduces the disturbance to your property.
5. Tree protection: Piles can be installed around tree root systems, conserving the trees on your property.
6. Cost-effective construction: Laneway houses can be as simple as prefabricated, modular, or container homes on helical piles. They are quick to install, efficient, and cost-saving, making the most of your investment in a laneway house.

As more cities embrace the idea of laneway houses as a sustainable and practical option for our challenging economic times, consider installing Techno Metal Post's helical piles as its foundation solution. This will ensure a successful and long-lasting laneway house project.

Contact your local dealer to learn more about this or for more information on helical piles.

Introducing Mike Nicholl, the proud owner of Techno Metal Post Peterborough in Ontario.

On the personal front, Mike and his wife Jessica welcomed a baby girl this past January to their growing family!

Professionally, Mike has a diverse background. For the past five years, he’s worked as a certified installer for Jason Lafantaisie, the owner of TMP Kitchener-Waterloo, who he’s known since high school. Their time working together has played an important role in Mike's career decisions. Prior to working with Jason, Mike was a CNC operator, a skilled professional responsible for operating special machines, and before that he gained valuable experience as a retail manager.

Mike told us he didn’t previously have a construction background but has always wanted to be his own boss. Needless to say, he jumped on the opportunity to start a dealership for the Peterborough region when it presented itself. With this launch, that dream is now a reality.

As the owner of TMP Peterborough, Mike is officially part of the Techno Metal Post family. We are thrilled to have him on board and wish him much success!

Welcoming Erwan de Sonis to our TMP family!  Erwan spent his childhood in the region of Sarthe in France, tying him to the Le Mans area from a young age. His impressive educational journey began at the military school Prytanée National de la Flèche, followed by the Naval High School of Brest in CPES (Prep Classes for Higher Studies). Here, he learned the essential skills of discipline and rigor which proved invaluable as he completed his second year of CPGE (Prep Classes for Grandes Écoles) at Lycée Montesquieu in Le Mans.

Erwan later attended ENSTIB earning an engineering degree specializing in construction. After graduating, he joined ‘Aux Charpentiers De France’ as a team manager for carpenters but eventually shifted his focus from wood to metal construction, while acquiring new skills in production and project management. He gained valuable experience through internships at a marine carpentry company in Sorrento, Australia, and later as an assistant engineer at Naval Group in Cherbourg. His final internship took place at Ateliers Perrault's study office near Angers.

He was introduced to Techno Metal Post through his wife's family at which point he explored the world of foundation solutions. Owning strong entrepreneurial skills, he decided to open a dealership in his childhood region of Sarthe and Mayenne and join the TMP family. We wish Erwan much success ahead!

Techno Metal Post Fraser Valley is now in new hands, with longtime Kamloops dealers Michael Pelletier & Simon Lafond. Both originally from the province of Quebec, Michael and Simon first acquired TMP Kamloops several years back and have recently seized the opportunity to expand their business.

While you can also read the original dealership article HERE, below is a brief overview of their background.

Michael’s background…

Michael has been working in the construction industry in Western Canada since 2009, gaining valuable jobsite experience and also as a project manager. His interest in becoming a dealer was sparked by Steve Langlois of TMP Calgary, leading him to apprentice under Christian Rousseau, the president and general manager for TMP Alberta. Shortly after, Michael acquired the dealership for Kamloops, B.C.

Simon’s background…

Simon Lafond discovered his passion for carpentry in 2006 when he enrolled in a trade school for skills training. In 2009, he moved to Calgary and worked for his father, installing siding for residential and commercial properties.

Not long after, he met Michael at a mutual friend's Christmas dinner, where the two immediately connected. Simon says he was ready for a career change when Mike approached him in 2019 about joining Techno Metal Post Kamloops with him. He says, “Like most people discovering this technology for the first time, I found it fascinating and innovative. We started small and over the last 7 years with TMP Kamloops, we’ve built a solid foundation and feel confident in our expansion with Fraser Valley.”

Committed to quality and service…

Michael and Simon wanted to point out that they remain committed to their customers and will continue to provide the same reliable quality and service. We’re happy for these two talented gentlemen as they continue this exciting venture, and we wish them much success ahead!

We’d like to touch base on some important points to follow after a helical pile installation. Proper care is essential to ensure the longevity of any structure, whether you're building a deck, modular home, shed, or any other type of construct. To help you avoid common issues, we’ve listed key guidelines and recommendations to follow.

Here’s what you need to know:

Construction & Maintenance Phase

It’s imperative to maintain a minimum clearance of 6 inches between the ground and all structures, keeping in mind that the top plate bracket should never be buried. This provides proper spacing between building elements and the ground, while also allowing for ground expansion during different weather conditions.
Ex: frozen ground and/or soil moisture

Note:

• A minimum clearance of 6 inches between the ground and all construction features, such as skirting, beams, joists, or columns, is also necessary.
• Once the structure is in place, refrain from backfilling the area and burying the piles and space with objects, pavers, earth, or other materials. The 6” clearance must be maintained at all times.

Staircase Installation

If a staircase is connected to your structure, we also highly recommend installing TMP’s helical piles under the last step, again keeping a minimum clearance of 6 inches (to the ground) to ensure proper stability and support. If that option isn’t feasible, consider using a hinge system directly on the staircase to provide a mobile joint. Either of these methods will accommodate potential movement and prevent any shifting or uneven settling.

Storage

When storing items underneath your structure, it’s also important to reserve a minimum of 6 inches of space between your stored items and the structure itself. The reason is, that in regions where you have freeze/thaw cycles or swelling clay, ground movement can potentially push the objects upwards against the structure. Important to note: the piles themselves won’t be displaced, but the structure itself might be affected if the space distance isn’t respected.

The most important takeaway from this article is your attention to detail and taking the precautionary steps from the guidelines above. These key suggestions will contribute to the longevity of your project, avoid common issues, and provide adequate storage space without causing overall damage.