Micropile Engineering & Installation

Micropiles are small-diameter, high-strength friction piles, which means they transfer building loads into the surrounding ground primarily through surface friction along the pile shaft, rather than relying only on end-bearing at the tip. This makes them extremely versatile and dependable in a wide range of soil conditions.

Unlike helical piles, which may be limited by very dense soils or rock, micropiles can be installed in virtually any type of soil, including loose sands, swelling clays, cobbles, boulders, and weathered bedrock. Their adaptability and high load capacity make them a proven solution where other foundation systems may fail.

Micropiles are the ideal solution for sites where traditional foundations or helical piles are not practical. On steep slopes with no room for a setback, micropiles can be used for anchorage and stabilization, providing strength and safety where other systems cannot.

They are also unmatched in soils formed of loose cobbles or large boulders, where excavation and recompaction would be costly, disruptive, or even impossible. Instead of removing the difficult material, micropiles are drilled directly through the stratum and grouted in place, creating a deep, high-capacity foundation system that adapts to the ground conditions on site.

Micropiles are one of the most versatile foundation systems, used across residential, commercial, and industrial projects. They are especially valuable in conditions where other foundation types cannot be installed. Common applications include:

• Underpinning and foundation repair – stabilizing and lifting homes or cabins that have settled.
   
• Steep slope stabilization and anchorage – providing deep support where setbacks are not possible.
   
• Retrofits and confined access sites – working around existing structures or in areas with limited equipment access.
   
• Commercial and industrial support – carrying heavy loads from steel buildings, mezzanines, and retaining walls.
   
• Rocky or boulder-filled soils – drilled directly through strata that would prevent helical piles from advancing.
   
• High groundwater areas – where excavation and conventional foundations are impractical.
   

With their ability to penetrate almost any soil type, including dense cobbles and weathered rock, micropiles provide a safe and permanent solution for challenging sites.

At BC Foundations, we don’t just install micropiles — we engineer and install them as one complete service. All of our designs meet EGBC guidelines, BCBC 2024, and the Canadian Foundation Engineering Manual (4th Edition), ensuring safety and compliance on every project.

Because we provide our own engineering, we can adapt designs in the field as conditions change, avoiding costly delays and redesign fees. This allows us to complete projects on time and within the agreed price, without the uncertainty that often comes when contractors rely on external engineers who are not available on site.

With BC Foundations, you gain a partner that is fully accountable from design through installation, delivering projects with precision, efficiency, and value.

Micropile installation is a precise operation that requires careful planning and specialized equipment. Mobilization and demobilization of the drilling rig, air compressor, threaded steel bars, grout, water, and all other materials needed for a complete system often take several days to organize.

Once mobilized, our team works efficiently to keep projects on schedule. We are able to install approximately 150 feet of micropiles in a 10-hour working day, depending on soil and site conditions. Each pile is drilled, reinforced, and grouted in place, ensuring strength, durability, and compliance with engineering standards.

By combining professional engineering oversight with skilled installation crews, BC Foundations ensures every micropile project is completed safely, efficiently, and to the highest standard.

BC Foundations has successfully designed and installed micropiles for a wide variety of projects — from stabilizing cabins in weak soils to supporting residential additions on cobble layers, and anchoring commercial structures in difficult terrain. Every project is backed by engineering oversight and completed with safety, efficiency, and long-term performance in mind.

No matter where your project is located in British Columbia, we can meet your needs at a highly competitive price. We proudly serve clients in Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Abbotsford, Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, Kamloops, Merritt, Salmon Arm, Victoria, Nanaimo, and Prince George, as well as surrounding communities across the province.

With BC Foundations, you can count on dependable micropile solutions delivered with precision, value, and the confidence of knowing your foundation is built to the highest standard.