How To Install A Dock Box

If you lot want to build a pier or a dock, you need good, sturdy pilings or posts to support it. Unless you accept the heavy equipment to drive the pilings into the footing, you'll either need to utilise a jet of water to dig a deep hole or ready the pilings in concrete footers. Jetting is better for sandy soil, while physical is more stable for muddy beds.^[i] Although this projection may crave some special tools and a couple of people to lend a helping hand, yous'll be able to enjoy fun on the waterfront for years to come!

1. one

   Choose pilings made of pressure-treated wood. In addition to remaining constantly waterlogged, your pilings will be subjected to tiny organisms that feed on wood, and so you demand something that will hold up over fourth dimension. Force per unit area-treated woods has been preserved with special chemicals that will aid it last longer when it'south exposed to harsh outdoor atmospheric condition. It'southward also the near cost-effective choice.^[2]

   • Other options for pilings include plastic-coated wood and heavy-duty aluminum.
   • Typically, pilings should exist 6–8 in (15–20 cm) in bore, but if your deck will counterbalance more 10,000 lb (4,500 kg), choose 10–12 in (25–thirty cm) pilings.^[3]
   • You'll need to place a post about every 10 ft (3.0 grand) forth the dock in gild to support its weight.^[4]

2. two

   Rent a 2–iii in (five.one–vii.6 cm) water jet from a home improvement shop. Often, your local domicile improvement store will allow you to rent high-powered tools like a water jetter (which may also be called a hydro jet) for a short amount of time. This will prevent you from having to pay full price for a tool that you won't use very often.^[5]

   • The cost of renting a water jet will vary depending on your location and the length of time you demand it.
   • These high-powered h2o pumps typically run on gasoline, and they come up with either a two in (five.i cm) or 3 in (7.6 cm) diameter hose. Either size volition piece of work, but since the hose gets heavy when information technology'south total of h2o, the 2 in (5.1 cm) hose may be easier to apply.^[half-dozen]
   • If you don't have access to a water jetter, you may exist able to use a high-pressure level garden hose instead, but the process volition probably take longer.

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3. 3

   Spray paint your pilings at 12 in (thirty cm) intervals to monitor their depth. Equally you outset to sink the pilings, it can be hard to keep track of how far they've gone into the ground. By marking them with spray pigment, information technology volition be easier to brand sure your pilings are all installed at the same depth.^[7]

   • Burial the piling 4–6 ft (1.ii–one.8 m) into the basis should requite y'all a tight, secure fit.

4. 4

   Measure the beams according to the height of your pier or dock. Your pier should sit about 3–4 in (seven.half dozen–ten.2 cm) to a higher place the highest level the water will reach. Measure from the bed below the water to the maximum water line, then add on the depth that you program to bury the pilings to go their total height.

   • Even in a body of h2o that isn't affected past tides, the water level may even so fluctuate. If you're non certain what the maximum water line is, enquire other pier or dock owners in your area.
   • Cutting the beams a little longer than you'll need them. You tin always trim them later if you need to.

5. 5

   Stand up the get-go piling in the water. You'll need to have 1-2 strong people to help you hold the piling in place, and then bribe a few friends with lemonade and the promise of spending sunny days on the water.^[8]

   • If you don't have anyone who can help you lot, employ sturdy pieces of wood and a pulley organization to create a tripod that can lift and concur the pilings in place.

6. six

   Aim the tip of the h2o jetter at the lesser of the piling and plough on the pump. The water will accident out of the hose with plenty force to push the sand and silt out from under the piling. As this is happening, guide the piling farther down into the earth until you reach the desired depth. If y'all demand to, move the tip of the hose from side to side so the piling tin can go in evenly.^[ix]

   • Echo this process for the remaining pilings.
   • If the force of the water isn't plenty to remove the sand, attach a PVC pipage with a 1 in (two.5 cm) diameter to the end of the hose to increment the pressure.
   • Use the h2o jetter to push some of the dirt dorsum into place after the piling is set.

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1. 1

   Measure the estimate length of the PVC you lot'll need. Measure from the bed beneath the h2o to the highest level the water reaches in your area. Depending on how soft the earth is below the water, add together another 1–2 ft (0.xxx–0.61 grand) to that length—closer to 2 ft (0.61 grand) for soft, silty beds.

   • Multiply this length by the number of beams y'all will need to get the total length of PVC.
   • When you lot're choosing the beams that go inside of the concrete, add another few inches to account for the peak of the pier or dock higher up the water.

2. 2

   Purchase heavy-duty PVC with a diameter of 12–eighteen in (xxx–46 cm). For standard 8 ft (2.4 m) decks, a PVC piping with a diameter of 12 in (xxx cm) and a mail with a diameter of four in (x cm) should be sufficient.^[10]

   • If you lot're building a deck that is larger than 8 ft (two.four m), offset with a PVC pipe of 18 in (46 cm) and a post that's almost 6 in (15 cm).

3. 3

   Bulldoze the PVC pipe 1–2 ft (0.xxx–0.61 m) into the ground. If you can't push the pipe into the ground by mitt, lay a spare piece of wood on elevation of the PVC and hitting it squarely with a sledgehammer until y'all reach the desired depth.^[xi]

   • It may help to spray paint the pipe in 1 ft (0.30 m) increments so yous can tell how deep it is.

4. four

   Remove the water and mud from the pipe with a bucket and post-hole digger. Bail out the h2o that'southward inside of the PVC pipe with a bucket, then utilise a post-hole digger to remove sand, silt, or mud from the lesser of the piping. The piping should exist articulate down to the lesser.

   • While you tin can utilize a pump to clear out the pipe, doing it by hand is safer, since you don't have to have electrical equipment virtually the water.
   • If the ground is very hard, you may need to rent a mini-excavator.

5. 5

   Mix quick-set up concrete in buckets according to the package directions. Quick-set concrete, or Quikrete, can exist mixed past hand. Pour the concrete mix into a saucepan and dig a small pigsty in the mix, and then add in water co-ordinate to the package directions.

   • The amount of physical yous'll need depends on the size of your projection. For a PVC pipe with a diameter of 12 in (30 cm) and a post of 4 in (x cm), estimate near 2 bags of Quikrete per 1 ft (0.30 yard) of top.
   • If your pipe is 18 in (46 cm) in diameter and your post is 6 inches (15 cm), you'll need most 5 bags per 1 ft (0.thirty grand).
   • It may be a adept thought to rent a concrete mixer for this project.

6. 6

   Pour 10 in (25 cm) of concrete into the pipe, then insert the post. Lower the post into the PVC piping and push it down into the concrete. Past pouring concrete into the pipe first, the post will exist more stable when y'all put it into identify.^[12]

   • The PVC pipe volition keep the water out of the physical as it cures.

7. vii

   Continue to cascade concrete effectually the mail service. Proceed working until you fill the PVC pipage all the way to the maximum water line. Piece of work slowly to ensure you don't terminate upward with whatsoever air pockets in the concrete.

   • This role of the process will have awhile, and then it'south probably a good idea to go some friends to assistance you lot fill and deport buckets of concrete.
   • You may have some excess piping at the top. Yous can cutting this off with a reciprocating saw after the concrete dries, if you similar.

8. 8

   Echo for each post, then let the physical cure for 3-4 days. No affair how excited you lot are about having a pier to lounge on, it'due south important to let the concrete completely cure before you go on building your structure. After you poured all of that physical, though, you'll probably exist glad to accept a couple of days to rest before you start building the framework.

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Add New Question

• Question

  What would be a skillful way to right a dock that has begun sagging in the water because of its foundation settling over time?

  

  Put in a longer mail. Information technology's a rookie mistake, especially in mud, sometimes piles need to be in more than x anxiety. Using a piece of 1/2 inch rebar equally a prod volition requite you lot a "feel" of the strata and an informed idea of how far in y'all need to sink them.

• Question

  How far autonomously should I place pilings if the walkout is 5.v' wide and 23' in length?

  

  It depends on the size of your timbers. I was taught that 2 inches will span 3 feet, four inches 6 feet, 6 inches 9 feet, and so on.

• Question

  How many feet in the water must have piling Marine pilings?

  

  That depends on how much weight it is holding. A very modest walkway at v to half dozen anxiety is sufficient. For a large deck or boat lift, eight to10 feet is better. If y'all are on open water where there is moving ridge activity, then you may desire to go deeper.

• Question

  I have a pier that has been lifted by high water and looks like a roller coaster. The soil is somewhat sandy. Will water jetting piece of work?

  

  Yes, jetting will piece of work. Y'all just have to be careful not to over-jet. Keep people off the dock for a day or ii while the pilings ready up.

• Question

  Tin compressed air practise the same job?

  

  I don't see why it shouldn't piece of work. Give it a shot!

• Question

  How practice you remove old piling when removing old dock?

  

  Jet effectually it to loosen it, then pull information technology out with a nail or winch, or tow strap if y'all accept vehicle admission.

• Question

  If I use concrete to stabilize my pipes, volition that impairment the fish?

  

  No, information technology shouldn't.

• Question

  How do I install an aluminum ladder to my dock?

  

  Nick Kapsis

  Customs Answer

  Utilise a half inch stainless steel hex head through the bolts. In my stance it is better to too double upwardly the decking underneath the ladder and use. 1/2"x5" ss bolts to make the ladder more rigid.

• Question

  After I pour the concrete into the PVC pipe, practice I need to get out the piping in the water?

  

  There is no harm in leaving the PVC in place. A lot depends on how successful you are at getting it loose from the concrete after it cures.

• Question

  How are water and mud removed (in Step 4) from the PVC past using a bucket?

  

  The all-time thing to practise is once yous have the hole started, drop the hose to the jet directly into the PVC. This method will create a flurry-like substance within the PVC that should be able to exist sump-pumped out easily. Plan to become wet!

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• Since jetting will loosen the soil around the pilings, your pier or dock may non exist able to back up as much weight as 1 with cement pilings.^[13]

• In some areas, jetting is discouraged considering it can disturb wildlife. Check to see if there are regulations in your expanse. Oftentimes, depression-force per unit area jetting is notwithstanding permitted ^[14]

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Commodity Summary 10

If yous need to install posts in the water for a dock or a pier, mensurate and cut pilings made of pressure-treated woods. The pilings should be the length yous need to support your structure, plus an extra 4-half-dozen feet that you lot can bury in the footing. Accept some friends assistance you stand up the start piling in the h2o, so aim the tip of a high-powered hose or a water jetter at the base of operations of the piling and plow on the pump. The force of the water should boom away the sand and mud beneath the woods, creating a hole so you can sink the piling. Proceed reading to acquire how to cascade concrete posts!

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Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Install-Posts-in-the-Water-for-a-Dock-or-Pier

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