r/interestingasfuck • u/Endolithic • Jun 06 '25

Homes are falling into the ocean in North Carolina's Outer Banks /r/all

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u/Plaidfu Jun 06 '25

Wooden pilings are cheaper and easier to install than concrete or steel, especially in soft, sandy soils common near beaches.

In places with many smaller or seasonal homes, the budget often doesn’t justify concrete or steel foundations especially since they are often having to make repairs due to the situation - wood is much easier to replace and repair.

in more hurricane heavy and wealthier areas you will find more steel and concrete being used but usually its just not cost effective

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u/Cayke_Cooky Jun 06 '25

If you are lucky they survive intact and wash up on the beach in a day or two so you can rebuild with the same wood! Or at lest someones posts washes up on your beach.

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u/phaskellhall Jun 06 '25

Yeah wood piles are pounded into the ground. They often go down 2x as tall as they are above ground. With concrete, I’m guessing you’d have to dig up the ground to pour it. That said, I hear and feel massive steel piles being driven the ground a few blocks away from me every time they build a 5-10 story building.