CASE STUDYHelical Pile Foundation Support for Coastal Home Addition in Fort Myers Beach

After Hurricane Ian severely impacted Fort Myers Beach, Coastal Foundation Solutions was awarded a residential foundation support project for a home addition. The goal was to provide a durable, storm-resilient foundation system capable of withstanding flood risks and uplift pressures typical of Florida’s coastal regions.

With extensive experience in marine and structural foundation systems, Coastal Foundation Solutions brought expertise and specialized equipment to deliver a stable foundation under challenging site conditions.

Challenges and Considerations

This coastal site presented unique construction challenges, including:

• High water table and loose sandy soils
• Risk of uplift due to storm surges
• Long-term flood resilience requirements

A deep foundation system was necessary to ensure structural stability and compliance with local building codes for hurricane-prone zones.

Solution: Helical Pile Installation

Our team selected helical piles for their effectiveness in poor soils and flood-prone environments. These screw-in foundation anchors resist both compression and uplift loads, making them ideal for coastal applications. The system also allows for fast installation with minimal disturbance.

Installation Summary

• Location: Fort Myers Beach, Florida
• Helical Piles Installed: 51
• Depth Range: 21–28 feet
• Load Capacity: 16 tons per pile

All piles were installed using compact hydraulic torque equipment and verified with torque and depth readings to meet engineering standards.

Products Used

• Lead Section: 110-RS2875.217 – 10” x 12” x 14”, 84″ L Galvanized Round Shaft
• Extensions: 246-RS2875.217 – 84″ L Galvanized Round Shaft Extensions

These components were hot-dip galvanized to ensure long-term resistance to corrosion in a marine environment.

About the Expert

Charlie Garcia is a licensed Florida building contractor and the lead expert at Coastal Foundation Solutions, based in Cape Coral. With over 25 years of experience in marine construction and structural restoration, Charlie holds multiple certifications including:

• Certified Helical Piling Inspector
• Certified marine Contractor
• Certified Deep Foundation Contractor
• Certified Foam Injection Contractor
• Licenses: #CBC1252534 and #CBC1263386