What You Need to Know Before Installing Techno Metal Posts

Planning a construction or renovation project with Techno Metal Post? Before installing helical piles, it is very important to check for the presence of any underground pipes or cables on your land.

Any excavation work requires a prior check to make sure that no services (water, sewage, electricity, gas, internet, etc.) are located where the piles will be installed.

Who is responsible?

The responsibility lies with the property owner or the contractor in charge of the work.

This check must be done before the Techno Metal Post team arrives on site.

In general, you should ensure that no infrastructure is located within 1.2 metres of the area 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) - https://lsbud.co.uk/

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?

Damaging a pipe or cable can have serious consequences, both in terms of repair costs and potential property damage.

That is why it is essential to properly prepare your site and ensure no underground services are present before installation begins.

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!

Building on challenging ground: your foundations in areas with a high-water table.

Some regions naturally have a shallow or high-water table, especially in coastal areas, near rivers or on poorly drained land. These conditions can create serious challenges for construction, particularly when it comes to foundation stability.

Due to climate change and increasing urbanization, areas that were once unaffected are now facing flooding risks. This makes choosing the right type of foundation more important than ever.

What are your foundation options?

Digging in water-saturated ground leads to water ingress, delays and extra costs. Concrete foundations require drying time, ground stabilization, and often inspections. In winter, freeze cycles can further weaken this type of foundation.

Helical piles offer a reliable alternative to traditional concrete foundations, especially in wet ground. Their main advantage: they can be installed without major excavation, avoiding problems caused by excess water in the soil.

With specialized equipment, the piles are directly screwed into the ground, whether it's dry or wet. The installation is quick and doesn’t require pumping or drainage. Once in place, the structure can be built immediately.

Techno Metal Post foundations are designed to perform in wet environments. They are protected by a green polyethylene sleeve that prevents direct contact with water. This reduces movement between the pile and the soil, ensuring long-term stability, even in flood-prone areas.

Whether your site is near a river, in a flood zone, or simply subject to humidity, Techno Metal Post helical piles offer a strong, reliable and eco-friendly foundation solution.

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!

Do you dream of additional living space for your family, extra income from your land, or simply a quiet place to work? Secondary dwellings are an excellent solution. They've become increasingly popular in recent years.

These structures, also known as granny flats, or garden studios, 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. 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 construction. There are countless advantages of using Techno Metal Post’s helical piles, so let’s review a few below…

1. Engineering support: We offer in-house technical support and provide you with regulatory-compliant documents. This facilitates the approval process and meets all the necessary requirements for your construction.
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. Respect for the environment: Techno Metal Post’s helical piles can be installed close to trees and vegetation without disturbing the existing ecosystem.
6. Cost-effective construction: Whether for prefabricated houses, modular units or containers, installing on helical piles is simple, fast and efficient. What's more, these applications are generally inexpensive, allowing you to maximize your investment.

Many towns and cities are adopting this solution as a practical, sustainable alternative adapted to the current economic situation. For a reliable, sustainable project, consider Techno Metal Post's helical piles the ideal foundation solution for your secondary dwelling.

If you have any questions, please contact your local dealer, who will be happy to help you!

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

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, Canada, 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.