Tolutions Inc.

American Ground Screws: A Faster, Cleaner Alternative to Concrete Footings

Concrete works. Nobody is arguing that. But that doesn’t mean we need to dig a hole, haul bags of concrete across a yard, mix everything, clean up the mess and then wait for it to cure every single time we need to put a post in the ground. For decks, pergolas, pavilions, carports and plenty of other post-supported structures, American Ground Screws offer another way to build the foundation. And for contractors, the appeal is pretty straightforward: get the foundation installed, get your elevations set and keep building. No concrete truck. No piles of excavated soil. No waiting until tomorrow. That’s why we’ve added a growing selection of American Ground Screws and installation components at Tolutions Supply. What Exactly Is a Ground Screw? Think of a ground screw as a steel foundation that gets driven directly into the soil using torque instead of being set inside a concrete footing. American Ground Screw manufactures heavy-duty galvanized steel ground screws in different diameters and lengths for different loads, soil conditions and applications. Once the screw reaches the required depth and installation criteria, a flange or other attachment is installed at the top. From there, you're ready to connect your post, beam or other structural component. American Ground Screw's Model 3, for example, uses three welded nuts and set bolts so different insertable flanges can be installed into the top of the ground screw. That gives contractors some flexibility instead of locking every screw into one specific post configuration. The Big Advantage: Skip the Concrete This is what gets most contractors interested in ground screws in the first place. Traditional concrete footings usually mean some combination of: Excavation Spoils that have to go somewhere Sonotubes or forms Concrete mixing or delivery Cleanup Cure time Weather headaches Ground screws eliminate most of that. Once a properly specified ground screw is installed, it can be loaded immediately. There isn't a concrete curing period holding up the next phase of the job. If you've got a crew standing around waiting for concrete, you already know where this is going. Time is money. That's an old cliché because it's true. Less Damage to the Jobsite Ground screws also require considerably less excavation than a conventional poured footing. That's a big deal when you're working in an established backyard. Nobody wants to explain to a homeowner why the new deck looks great but half the lawn now resembles a construction site. Ground screw installation can reduce soil displacement and minimize disturbance around landscaping, patios and other finished areas. The system also avoids bringing concrete into the site altogether. That can make ground screws particularly attractive for renovations and additions where access is already tight. The Numbers Contractors Actually Want to Know Enough marketing. Let's talk about the steel. American Ground Screw offers multiple sizes, including ICC-evaluated Model 3 ground screws. Common heavier-duty sizes include: 3" diameter 3" x 63" 3" x 79" Approximately .15" wall thickness Approximately 24" threaded section 4.5" diameter 4.5" x 63" 4.5" x 79" Approximately .15" wall thickness Approximately 24" threaded section American Ground Screw also manufactures additional diameters and lengths for other applications. Product selection isn't just a matter of grabbing the longest screw on the rack. Soil, loading, frost depth, structure design and installation torque all come into play. Yes, American Ground Screws Have ICC Evaluation This is an important distinction. American Ground Screw has an ICC-ES Evaluation Report, covering specified ground screw configurations and installations. That matters when you're dealing with building departments, architects, engineers and inspectors who understandably want more than somebody saying, "Don't worry, it'll hold." But there's an important catch: Don't assume every ground screw, every size and every installation automatically falls under the ICC report. Use the exact product and installation requirements specified in the evaluation report and verify what your local building official requires. For permitted structural work, that's the right way to do it. How Much Weight Can a Ground Screw Hold? There's no honest answer that says, "A ground screw holds X pounds." Capacity depends heavily on the soil. American Ground Screw's ICC data illustrates just how much of a difference soil conditions can make. For an evaluated 3-inch ground screw, allowable axial compression capacity listed in the report is approximately: 2,450 lb. in the referenced silty sand condition 8,129 lb. in the referenced sandy clay condition For the evaluated 4.5-inch ground screw, allowable axial compression is approximately: 4,977 lb. in the referenced silty sand 12,823 lb. in the referenced sandy clay Allowable tension and lateral capacities also vary substantially depending on diameter and soil classification. Those aren't numbers to grab off a blog and start designing a building around. They're a good demonstration of why contractors need to pay attention to soil conditions, screw diameter, embedment depth, installation torque and the engineered requirements of the project. Flanges Make the System Flexible Here's another part of the system we like. The ground screw itself doesn't necessarily determine what's sitting on top of it. American Ground Screw offers multiple flange configurations for different posts and beams. For example, the American Ground Screw 4x4 Flange is designed for a nominal 4x4 wood post — an actual 3.5" x 3.5" post. It slides into compatible ground screws and is secured using three ICC set bolts. The flange itself is hot-dip galvanized steel and works with compatible 2-5/8" and 3" outside-diameter ground screws. There are also flanges for beams and other structural connections. So instead of thinking of the ground screw as one product, it makes more sense to think of American Ground Screw as a foundation system. You've got the screw, the flange, the hardware and the installation equipment working together. Hot-Dip Galvanized for Outdoor Use These things are going underground, so corrosion resistance isn't exactly optional. American Ground Screw uses galvanized steel construction for its foundation components, and its product documentation references applicable galvanization standards. Tolutions Supply also stocks compatible galvanized components such as the M16 x 30 mm ICC set bolt, which has a 2 mm coarse thread pitch and is used to secure compatible attachments inside the ground screw. It's a small piece of hardware, but this is exactly where you don't want to substitute some random bolt you found rolling around in the truck. Use the specified system hardware. Ground Screws for Decks Deck construction is one of the applications where ground screws make a ton of sense. You can establish your footing locations, install the screws, set the flanges and begin framing without waiting for concrete to cure. They're especially interesting when you're dealing with: Backyard decks Elevated decks Pergolas Pavilions Porches Walkways Carports Other post-supported outdoor structures And because different flanges can be used on the foundation, you're not limited to one connection detail. Again, local code, frost depth and structural requirements still apply. Ground screws don't make engineering disappear. They just give you another way to build the foundation. Smaller Projects Have an Option Too Not every project needs an ICC-evaluated commercial ground screw installed with hydraulic equipment. American Ground Screw also makes the U-Model ground screw for standard 4x4 posts. This is aimed more at household and DIY-type applications. The U-shaped top accepts a standard 4x4 post and includes five lag bolts for securing the post. It's hot-dip galvanized, installs without concrete and can be removed and relocated if necessary. That's a completely different animal from designing the foundation for a large deck or commercial structure, so make sure the product matches the job. Installation Equipment Matters The larger structural ground screws aren't driven in with a cordless impact and a prayer. Proper installation requires equipment capable of producing and monitoring the torque needed to install the selected screw. Tolutions Supply carries American Ground Screw installation equipment and adapters along with hydraulic driveheads for mini and full-size skid steers. For contractors doing ground screw work regularly, that turns the system into a repeatable installation process instead of a specialty product you have to farm out every time. Are Ground Screws Better Than Concrete? Sometimes. That's probably the fairest answer. Concrete isn't going anywhere, and there are projects where traditional foundations are still the right call. But ground screws have some legitimate advantages: Faster installation. You eliminate concrete cure time. Immediate loading. Once properly installed, construction can continue. Less excavation. That means less dirt, less mess and less restoration afterward. Year-round potential. You're not mixing and curing concrete on the jobsite. Removable. Certain applications can be dismantled and the screws removed or potentially reused. Multiple connection options. Flanges allow the foundation to adapt to different posts, beams and structural details. Code documentation. Specified American Ground Screw products have ICC-ES evaluation under ESR-4226. That's a pretty good list. Start With the Right Ground Screw The biggest mistake would be treating every ground screw like they're all basically the same. They're not. Diameter matters. Length matters. Soil matters. Frost depth matters. Installation torque matters. The structure you're putting on top definitely matters. Start with the project requirements and work backward to the screw, flange and installation equipment you need. Tolutions Supply carries American Ground Screws, flanges, adapters, set bolts and installation equipment for contractors looking for a concrete-free foundation option. If you're tired of digging giant holes and babysitting concrete every time you build a deck, it's worth taking a closer look. Sometimes the better mousetrap really is a giant galvanized screw.