Our Hollow Stem Auger is effective in unconsolidated soil, sand and clay. Hollow stem augers attached to the rig can drill, sample soil borings and install monitoring wells.

What is Hollow Stem Auger Drilling?

Hollow Stem Auger Drilling is proven to be one of the oldest and most reliable forms of drilling. This technique provides sufficient evidence when identifying water-producing zones. The Hollow Stem Auger is a small, lightweight, maneuverable rig that is most commonly used for two purposes which include; setting groundwater monitoring wells for environmental and geotechnical applications or collecting water samples for testing through its hollow stem.

The Difference Between Solid Stem Auger Drilling vs. Hollow Stem Auger Drilling

All drilling methods differ depending on the situation that is presented. A number of factors help determine this such as: the project, the soil and whether or not you need water sampling. The major difference between these two drilling methods is the drill itself and the usage. The Solid Stem Auger Drill consists of a ‘solid stem’ with a claw bit attached to the end. This drill is mainly used in compact soils that have no tendency to collapse when punctured. Once inserted at specified depth, it is removed to gain access to the bottom of the hole. A downfall for the Solid Stem Auger is that you are unable to insert any monitoring wells. The Hollow Stem Auger Drill consists of a “hollow stem” with the same claw bit attached to the end. The reason for the hollow stem is to act as a temporary casing, this keeps all sides of the bore hole from closing in. Hollow Stem Auger has two purposes; retrieving samples from the borehole or installing a groundwater monitoring well. A major advantage of the Hollow Stem Auger Drill is the well installation that is applied directly through the auger into non-cohesive material. A disadvantage is how the drill is unable to penetrate through cobbles, boulders and most rock formations.

Spartan Hollow Stem Auger Drilling Process

When Spartan Drilling is selected to perform this method, we make it fast, easy and sufficient. The first step is determining the area of work reviewed by the engineer/consultant on-site. Once the area is chosen for drilling, our Spartan Drilling team gets to work. If the job requires an installation of a monitoring well, we use our dependable Hollow Stem Auger to Drill into the ground. The Hollow Stem Auger makes it easy to keep away undesired materials and set the well at a precise depth (at least 150 feet or less). The great thing about the Hollow Stem is that there is no removal involved. Spartan Drilling installs the well, which is used to test groundwater and monitor the quality over time. If the job requires samples to be taken, our team retrieves the samples and contains them in appropriate sealed cases. The samples are then given to the client/consultant on-site. Once job is complete and drill is removed, we fill in the hole with a square concrete flush mount.

Spartan Drilling is known for their top-of-the-line equipment, professional employees and great rates. Call us and schedule today for your drilling needs.