Methods and structures for installing piles

A method of installing a pile in soil having a surface, the method comprising:

• pre-drilling an upper hole in the soil and adding liquid grout thereto;
• driving a helical pile lead section into the soil, coaxially with the upper hole, thereby creating a lower hole about the helical pile lead section;
• adding liquid grout to the lower hole as it is created;
• optionally adding one or more additional sections to the helical pile lead section before and/or during the driving of the helical pile lead section into the soil;
• wherein the pile comprises the helical pile lead section and the one or more additional sections if present;
• wherein the pile has a lower end defined by a deepest part of the helical pile lead section, and an upper end opposite the lower end;
• wherein the helical pile lead section is driven into the soil so that the upper end achieves a final position at least about 3 inches above the surface of the soil;
• with the upper end at the final position, affixing a reinforcing structure to the pile proximal to the upper end, wherein the affixing comprises bolting, welding, or a combination thereof;
• and
• allowing the liquid grout to harden about the pile and the reinforcing structure.