With nights drawing in and the temperature getting cooler by the day, we are starting to think of the winter months and what that means for our business. While none of us wants to be thinking of the cold mornings and dark evenings, it’s important to start and prepare for the next few months now.

Winter has the potential to get nasty here in the UK, with strong winds, temperatures below 0°, ice, snow and lots and lots of rain. It is a nightmare for all of us and can lead to slower project progress than we would like, and even create more risk of injury. So how can you keep your site going and stay productive during the colder months?

At Stop Digging we appreciate the struggles in winter, as that was one of the driving forces behind our ground screw design. So here are five tips we have found useful to ensure you can carry on working no matter the time of year:

1.   Monitor the forecast

We are not unfamiliar with this here in the UK, and it may sound like common sense, but it is so important to keep up to date with weather changes throughout the week. As you keep track of the changes, then you may be able to move jobs to when would be most appropriate to carry them out. When it’s wet outside, scheduling inside jobs can save time and also keep your staff dry.

2.   Planning early on

The time to start thinking about the effect the winter will have on your site is during the warmer weather when you can do something to help keep things moving later on. Think about warm break areas so that your staff have a place to dry off and warm up. Also, extra lighting is a good idea to invest in so that the site can continue to work safely and constructively when the sun goes down. Portable heaters are another investment to consider, as bare unfurnished buildings can sometimes feel colder than outside.

3.   Good scheduling

When planning your jobs over the next few months try to think about the stages of your different projects, so you can keep them weather appropriate. This also applies to your scheduling when and what your staff will be working on during the day. Making sure outside work is done in shorter durations is helpful for your staff so that they are not exposed to the elements for too long. This can reduce sickness, and ensure you have a full team when you need them.

4.   Have the right equipment

Having the right equipment and materials for your winter jobs can make a big difference to the flow of work. For example, one of the best ways to keep your site on track is to use Stop Diggings ground screws instead of concrete where possible. If your team is digging foundations and laying concrete, the weather can play a big part in jobs being delayed, as the concrete needs the right conditions to dry before the job can continue. On the other hand, ground screws can be supplied and installed in any weather conditions (even snow and ice). And they also only take a few hours to install so it can save you both time and money, keeping you on-site and on time.

5.   Health and safety

According to the HSE, falls are the most common cause of injury and death in the construction industry. While this is true year-round, with the added elements of cold, ice and slippery surfaces with the rain, it’s important to keep an eye on the health safety measures that are in place on-site.

A couple of areas to keep an eye on:

• Make sure walkways are gritted.
• Provide cold weather PPE so when tradespeople are working outside they are fully insulated to retain body heat and prevent the cold weather from affecting them.
• Regularly checking the site to see if the weather has caused any new hazards, especially after any strong storms.

By putting these five tips in place, and good planning, you can ensure your site stays on time and productive this winter, no matter the weather! If you would like more information on how you can use Stop Digging ground screws to keep your business running during winter then contact us on: SALES@STOPDIGGING.CO.UK or 020 3970 3979

A holiday park in the South West of England 

The task .. 

To provide foundations for holiday homes on an expanding holiday park.   

The clients wanted the Fishermen’s pods to nestle into the bank and hang over the water in order for the guests to be able to fish straight from their decking.  An access walkway would run behind the pods, along the steep bank. 

 

The challenges  

The ground consisted of a deep, thick clay, perfect for the creation of a lake.  However, this meant there were some construction challenges that needed to be overcome. 

After preliminary site testing and structural engineer design the SGC range of screws were selected, some of them up to 2.5 meters long.  They could reach deeper ground, where the conditions were more suitable for achieving the load values required.  

Furthermore, the site was extremely muddy and presented many practical issues. In many areas the soft clay surface was several feet deep, which meant that vehicles and plant were often unable to access these areas. Accordingly, moving materials to the site areas was a long and arduous process but well worth it when you see the end result.

The obstacles the screws overcame 

Concrete was not appropriate as foundations for these pods. The screws are far more suitable and safer to install in these conditions, as well as achieving results above and beyond the requirements.  The screws were installed in a fraction of the time with the pods being constructed immediately.    

Using handheld equipment, the screws could comfortably be installed wherever they needed to be, which would have been problematic with larger plant due to the ground and access.  Even on the steep slope the walkway screws were comfortably installed without any disruption or damage.   

The result 

An amazing new holiday park is being created on a multi acre site, landscaped with many lakes generously stocked with fish.  The Fishermen’s Pods, are detached buildings built at the edge of the lakes, installed on Stop Digging ground screws. Anglers can fish directly off their own deck whilst enjoying all the creature comforts provided within the pod itself. 

If you would like to talk to us about how to make your build more sustainable with our concrete free ground screws, then please get in touch at:  sales@stopdigging.co.uk or 020 3970 3979

Timber frame construction has started to become more popular recently as people look into the options for constructing their own projects. Timber frame construction is a method of construction that uses prefabricated timber studs and rails to create a structural frame which then can be used as the foundation for many buildings.

Timber frame projects work really well with ground screws, and here at Stop Digging we have worked on many projects over the last few years and we have seen first-hand the advantages of using this method. Here are a few of the benefits we have found with timber frame construction.

Sustainable

Sustainable is becoming much more than an “it” word recently with most designs being looked at with a more sustainable outlook. Timber is recognised as the only renewable construction material and because of that is being considered more and more for projects. Not only is the material itself sustainable but it is also energy efficient as a natural insulator.

Timber frame construction can also use ground screws as the foundation support. Stop Digging ground screws emit up to 60% less CO2 than traditional concrete plinths and are also recyclable. Thinking sustainably from the bottom up in the project can have a real impact long term.

Speed

It is on average 30% quicker to build with timber than typical bricks and mortar. It can be made watertight in a much quicker time than a traditional build, which has a big impact on the flow and speed of the build. A quicker turnaround means you can take on more jobs, and essentially earn more money, which is always an advantage.

Not as weather dependant

As mentioned, timber frame buildings can be made watertight quickly and can easily be erected in bad weather. Assembling bricks is massively reliant on having good weather and can have an impact on the further stages of the build. This is an important benefit especially in temperamental weather conditions like here in the Uk.

Flexible specifications & Innovative design

The more flexible the material the more interesting designs can be created using the material. Take a look at some of the projects we have worked on at Stop Digging to see the variety of designs and specifications here.

Less reliant on specific wet trades

With the skills shortage we are seeing here in the UK being at the forefront of many construction owners’ minds, having projects where you don’t have to rely so much on certain trades is a massive benefit.

Timber frame construction popularity doesn’t look like it is waning, for good reason. If you want a quick, inventive and sustainable build then go for a timber frame project. If you would like to see how Stop Digging ground screws could work with your construction project then please feel free to get in touch at:  SALES@STOPDIGGING.CO.UK or 020 3970 3979

As ground screws are becoming ever more popular and talked about, people that are only hearing about them for the first time naturally have many questions.

In this article, we answer the 12 most googled questions about ground screws.

Ground screws are also known as ground anchors, ground pins, screw anchors, screw piles, helical screws, earth anchors, earth screws.

1. What are Ground Screws?

Ground screws are large steel screws that replace the need to dig traditional foundations and lay concrete.  

2. Can I install the Ground Screws myself?

No, Stop Digging supply and install the ground screws. We have specialist machinery to install the screws and our installers have been trained and certified.

3. How do Ground Screws work?

On arrival at the site, we scan the area to ensure there are no pipes or electric cables, we drill pilot holes for ground screws to ensure there are no large rocks and it is suitable, we then set out the screw locations, then we will insert the screws, each screw takes just minutes to ensure and we use a laser to level them off.

That’s it, ready for your base, structure or objects to be placed on top.

4. How many Ground Screws do I need?

This will all depend on the size and weight of your project. For a garden room, a typical rule of thumb would be one screw per square meter.

To get a bit more of an accurate guide, use our calculator here or even better get in touch for a free estimate and we will be able to give a much more accurate number.

5. How much do Ground Screws cost?

The price of a ground screw depends on which screw you are using. Our cost is for supply of the screw and the installation. They start from as little as £50+VAT per screw (supply and install) check out our online calculator here for a better guide or if you would like an accurate quote, please do get in touch with us.

6. What are Ground Screws made of?

Stop digging ground screws are manufactured from steel, ISO 630 Fe 360A. They are galvanised according to DIN EN ISO 1461. Click here to find out more about our screws.

7. Where can I buy Ground Screws?

If you want Stop Digging ground screws, you just need to get in touch with us. We supply and install the screws and take any hassle away.

8. What are Ground Screws used for?

Ground screws can be used for many things such as:

SIP Panel Extensions, timber framed houses, mobile homes, shipping containers, porta cabins, glamping pods, playground equipment, solar panels, signs, fencing, decking, pergolas, carports, sports equipment, site fencing, flag poles and much more!

9. What size are Ground Screws?

The ground screws range from 865mm to a whopping 2500mm find out more about Stop Digging screws here

10. Why use a Ground Screw?

There are many reasons to use ground screws over concrete. Ground screws are much faster to install, saving you valuable time. Time = money. In addition, they often work out cheaper than the cost of digging foundations and creating a concrete base. They save so much hassle and do not cause damage to the surrounding area. They are better for the environment and can be used in conservation areas, near trees, on slopes and uneven ground.

11. Why are Ground Screws green?

The process of a ground screw, emits 50% less carbon emissions than a concrete block covering the same area. In addition, no damage is caused to the area where the building/structure has been placed with screws. They are even reusable.

12. Are Ground Screws any good?

What a great question. The answer to that would be YES. Ground screws solve many problems that a contractor or person might have when using concrete. They save time, hassle and money. They even come with a 25-year guarantee. What could be better than that?

Summary

So there you have it, the answers to the most googled questions about ground screws.

Do you have a question about ground screws that hasn’t be answered in this article? Please do get in touch with us, we would love to hear from you – find your installer

Ground screws are also known as ground anchors, ground pins, screw anchors, screw piles, helical screws, earth anchors, earth screws.