Is there any trick or technique to deal with this kind

[soumitss]

Hello everyone! I'm working on installing screw piles and I've run into an issue - the ground in my area is extremely hard, almost like concrete. I've been struggling to get the piles to go in more than a few inches. Is there any trick or technique to deal with this kind of soil condition?

[hydrogenn]

Hello! Hard soil is definitely challenging but there's a helpful trick. Before you start screwing in the pile, flood the installation area with water and let it soak for a bit. This softens the soil and makes penetration much easier. You might need to do this the night before or a few hours ahead. Also, make sure you're using adequate equipment - for really hard soil, an automatic pile driver is worth considering over manual. The detailed guide at https://we-build-correctly.blogspot.com/2025/06/how-to-install-pile-in-ground.html mentions this water technique specifically. Another option is to use a manual pile driver with pipe levers for extra torque. Don't force it dry - you'll just exhaust yourself and potentially damage the pile. Soften that soil first.