Sheet piling forms a continuous steel wall in the ground — supporting deep excavations, holding back earth and water, and protecting riverbanks across a region shaped by its waterways.
What sheet piling does
Interlocking steel sheets are installed edge to edge to create an unbroken wall. Unlike a row of individual piles, a sheet pile wall resists both soil and water, which is why it is specified for basements, deep drainage runs, canal and river work, and any excavation that would otherwise collapse or flood.
Typical applications
- Temporary works — supporting excavations for basements, tanks, lift pits and deep drainage, then extracted for reuse.
- Permanent retaining walls — capped with concrete or left exposed, designed for the life of the structure.
- Riverbank and canal protection — a constant requirement along the region's rivers, canals and becks.
- Flood defence — cut-off walls and barriers for properties and infrastructure on flood plains.
- Cofferdams — dry working chambers for foundations below the water table.
Installation methods
A vibro hammer shakes sheets into granular ground quickly — the standard on open sites.
Hydraulic rams push sheets in with almost no noise or vibration — the answer beside occupied and fragile buildings.
Traditional impact driving for hard ground and heavy sections.
Temporary sheets are recovered after the works, cutting cost and waste.
Design, consents and the practical bits
Every retaining wall we install is built to a structural engineer's design, either yours or one we arrange. Permanent walls near watercourses may need local authority or Environment Agency approval; we flag this early so consents never hold up the programme. On tight urban sites we survey neighbouring structures before work starts and monitor vibration where needed.
Sheet piling is priced by wall area, section weight and ground conditions. Send drawings and any site investigation to get a fixed price — temporary and permanent schemes both welcome.
Where we work
Our teams cover the whole North West, with local crews in:
Frequently asked questions
What is sheet piling used for?
Interlocking steel sheets form a continuous wall in the ground. Typical uses are supporting deep excavations, forming basements, retaining land on sloping sites, and river or canal bank protection - a frequent requirement across the North West's waterways.
Is sheet piling permanent or temporary?
Both. Temporary sheet piles support the ground during construction and are extracted afterwards. Permanent walls are designed for the life of the structure and can be capped, clad or left exposed.
How is sheet piling installed?
Sheets are pressed, vibrated or driven into the ground depending on soil conditions and how close neighbouring structures sit. Silent pressing systems let us work tight to occupied buildings where vibration must be kept to a minimum.
Do I need planning permission for a sheet pile wall?
Temporary works generally sit within your main project's consents. Permanent retaining walls, especially near watercourses, can need approval from the local authority or the Environment Agency. We can point you in the right direction during design.