** Project Type**: Helical Pile Installation for Swimming Pool
** Location**: Marco Island, Florida
** Client**: Aqua Dog Pools and Knaak Design Group
** Completion Date**: March 2025
Project Overview
Marco Island is known for its gorgeous shoreline and desirable waterfront homes. But building in this coastal zone requires careful foundation planning. The region’s soft sands, high water tables, and hurricane exposure create unstable subsurface conditions that can lead to significant settlement—especially under heavy loads like swimming pools.
That’s why when Aqua Dog Pools and Knaak Design Group needed a stable foundation for a new pool, they enlisted Coastal Foundation Solutions. Our mission was to deliver a foundation system that would resist settlement and withstand Marco Island’s notoriously unpredictable soil and salt-laden environment.
Analysis
Swimming pools add considerable weight, and in coastal locations like Marco Island, traditional footings can fail due to poor bearing capacity. Flooding and shifting soils further exacerbate the risk of uneven settling, causing cracks and long-term structural issues.
Given these conditions, a dependable, fast-installation foundation solution was vital. Coastal Foundation Solutions proposed using galvanized helical piles, an engineered system that screws deep into stable soil layers and provides a strong load-bearing foundation—ideal for waterfront environments.
Solution
Our experienced crew mobilized quickly to Marco Island with the necessary equipment. In just one working window, we installed twenty-three (23) helical piles, each fitted with galvanized extensions to reach deep, competent strata. Through torque monitoring, we ensured each pile achieved an 18-ton working capacity as specified for the project.
Once the piles were in place, our team cut them flush with the pool pad level and installed galvanized termination capsto seal the system and resist corrosion in the salty coastal air.
This setup established an ultra-stable foundation, allowing the pool contractors to proceed confidently with forming, pouring, and finishing the structure.
Products Used
- RS2875.217 – 10” x 12” x 14” 84″ L Galvanized Round Shaft Lead Sections
- RS2875.217 – 84” L Galvanized Round Shaft Extensions
- Galvanized Termination Caps
These materials were selected for their superior corrosion resistance and ability to withstand underwater and coastal environments specific to Marco Island.
GEO + Environmental Insight
Marco Island, located in Collier County, features unique coastal soils that challenge many foundation methods. High water tables, sandy and calcareous soils, and regular storm exposure make foundation longevity a major concern.
Our helical pile solution offered several local advantages:
- Minimal environmental impact—critical for preserving the island’s fragile habitats.
- Quick installation—important for minimizing disruption to residents and contractors.
- Adaptable to difficult terrain—helical piles bypass unstable soils, anchoring into reliable layers below.
Results & Client Benefits
With installation completed rapidly and precisely, the project team moved forward on schedule. The final product was a high-capacity foundation system designed to prevent pool settlement and avoid costly repairs.
The success of this project underlines Coastal Foundation Solutions’ reputation for combining advanced engineering with practical responsiveness. The pool contractors were able to complete their project efficiently, while homeowners were assured of a resilient foundation—built to last in a challenging coastal environment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Why choose helical piles for pool foundations on Marco Island?
Helical piles anchor deeply into competent soil layers, bypassing soft or unstable zones. Their installation is quick and non-disruptive—perfect for sensitive coastal locations.
Q2: How long did the helical pile installation take?
Our experienced team installed 23 piles in just one installation window—typically a few days—far faster than traditional footing methods.
Q3: Are galvanized piles necessary near saltwater?
Yes. Galvanization protects the steel shaft from corrosion caused by salt air and moisture, significantly extending the pile foundation’s lifespan.
About the Author
Charlie Garcia is a Florida-certified marine construction and deep foundation specialist with 25+ years serving Southwest Florida’s dynamic coastal communities—Naples, Sanibel, Cape Coral, and Marco Island.
- Florida License #CBC1252534
- Florida License #CBC1263386
- Certified Helical Piling Inspector
- Certified Deep Foundation Contractor
- Certified Foam Injection Contractor
Charlie’s leadership ensures projects are technically accurate, environmentally responsible, and engineered for long-term performance.
Planning a pool, seawall, or foundation project on Marco Island or coastal Southwest Florida?
Trust Coastal Foundation Solutions to deliver stable, corrosion-resistant support. Our helical pile systems are precisely engineered for local conditions and built for lasting reliability.
📞 Call (239) 555-1234
—or—
Visit us at www.coastalfoundationsolutions.com/contact to request a free consultation!