Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Dock problem
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Dock problem
jcs
04-27-05, 03:06 AM
I've got a small dock on a lake out back behind my house. The dock is build on metal piping driven into the lake bottom. In the past 5 years the dock has bent more and more. Actually, it's the piping the dock is built on that is bending. The lake freezes up solid every winter (I live in northern Illinois), and I'm sure the ice pushing on the piping is mostly the problem. All the pipes now have ruptured from the bending, so I'm wondering how much life there is in this dock.
I noticed all the neighbors' docks are doing the same thing, though the ones built on 6x6s seem to fair a little better than the ones on pipes.
Is there any remedy for this, other than going to a floating dock? I don't have any equipment or expertise in sinking dock pilings -- how much does this usually cost? Thanks!
JCS
I noticed all the neighbors' docks are doing the same thing, though the ones built on 6x6s seem to fair a little better than the ones on pipes.
Is there any remedy for this, other than going to a floating dock? I don't have any equipment or expertise in sinking dock pilings -- how much does this usually cost? Thanks!
JCS
pgtek
04-27-05, 08:06 AM
hi
if the lake freeze why not used a floating dock?
i built one and the foam for the dock is not that expensive.
and it will not freeze under
cheers
pg
if the lake freeze why not used a floating dock?
i built one and the foam for the dock is not that expensive.
and it will not freeze under
cheers
pg
Ed Imeduc
04-27-05, 08:30 AM
Need more info here on what the water does as far as up and down????. To say float or go for pilings. If the water does go up and down then go for the floats. You know under new law they have to be incased in fiberglass now not just the foam by itself anymore. If you can work with a dock on pilings. Then go that way say with new pipe or what you have.You know that they have screw in pipe set ups for docks like that. Then put a deicer there for in winter. Thats what we use all the time. So the ice dont break up our docks. Dont cost much to make post back if you want to know how to make a deicer.
Might look at this http://www.dockbuilders.com/floatdockcomp.htm
ED :thinker:
Might look at this http://www.dockbuilders.com/floatdockcomp.htm
ED :thinker:
jay_myself
04-27-05, 01:42 PM
Unless you have a crane, pile driver and a big barge capable of supporting the crane and all tools, this is definitly not a dyi job. Cost? I'm working with a friend who has lake front property here in Michigan (yep, same cold, freezing winters)
The water depth for the dock starts at nothing by shore and increases to about 8 ft where my boat will hopefully be floating. Options include using wood (pressure treated) piling driven 15 or so feet into the lake bed. Pilings are about 6" on tip and 12" on butt. Each section would require two 30 ft piles. Driving the pilings, plus cost of the piles would be about $500 each. Since the dock will need about 80 ft, that's a lot of pilings and a lot of cash.
Another option is to use an 8" steel piling and one welded steel cross member like a "Tee". Steel pilings would be 30 ft and each will cost $1000. Still not cheap, but with steel, we can use longer stringers also made of steel. They will be made of steel trusses you see in the roof of a commercial building. Next time you are at Lowes or Home Depot, look up.
With the longer stringers, the number of pilings is reduced and the cost.
The cheapest approach for your might be to have your dock repaired by a guy who can do welding. It might require a marine contractor with a floating barge and welder. Look under "marine contractors" in your phone book.
Once your dock is repaired, look into a "bubbler". It can be somethig as simple as a submersable propellor or a water pump. The dock where i used to keep my boat had these propellor things that were mounted on 10 ft poles and mounted to the deck. Whenever the temp was below freezing, the props ran. Even though they were old and scuzzy, they ran constantly from Nov to March. The propellor spins and creates unequal pressure, making bublble that wouldn't allow water to freeze around pilings.
Another method would be a submersable pump that simply brought bottom water up to the top, also keeping it from freezing.
The water depth for the dock starts at nothing by shore and increases to about 8 ft where my boat will hopefully be floating. Options include using wood (pressure treated) piling driven 15 or so feet into the lake bed. Pilings are about 6" on tip and 12" on butt. Each section would require two 30 ft piles. Driving the pilings, plus cost of the piles would be about $500 each. Since the dock will need about 80 ft, that's a lot of pilings and a lot of cash.
Another option is to use an 8" steel piling and one welded steel cross member like a "Tee". Steel pilings would be 30 ft and each will cost $1000. Still not cheap, but with steel, we can use longer stringers also made of steel. They will be made of steel trusses you see in the roof of a commercial building. Next time you are at Lowes or Home Depot, look up.
With the longer stringers, the number of pilings is reduced and the cost.
The cheapest approach for your might be to have your dock repaired by a guy who can do welding. It might require a marine contractor with a floating barge and welder. Look under "marine contractors" in your phone book.
Once your dock is repaired, look into a "bubbler". It can be somethig as simple as a submersable propellor or a water pump. The dock where i used to keep my boat had these propellor things that were mounted on 10 ft poles and mounted to the deck. Whenever the temp was below freezing, the props ran. Even though they were old and scuzzy, they ran constantly from Nov to March. The propellor spins and creates unequal pressure, making bublble that wouldn't allow water to freeze around pilings.
Another method would be a submersable pump that simply brought bottom water up to the top, also keeping it from freezing.
onahas
05-04-05, 11:09 AM
Our small lake freezes over, and to prevent damage to the dock, I take it out of the water. How? I went to junkyard and got two car axles with wheels and tires still on ($40 each). I permanently (weld, bolts, or clamps) attached them to the dock frame, which is made of angle iron. I use my car bumper to push (roll) the dock in in the spring and use my rear hitch (or a 12V winch if it's stuck in the mud) to pull it out in the fall. Works great for 12 years now. My dock has 12 removable 4' x5' wooden pallets on the steel frame (60' long), to make it lighter to move. The water is 5' deep at the end of the dock. Good luck :).
Ed Imeduc
05-04-05, 11:38 AM
Well if you dont want to put it on floats go to .
http://www.portadock.com/dockaccessories.html
You can do it this way then. To keep the ice away from the docks we make our own deicer. All it take is a 1/8X1" band iron 8" long brazed on the end of a pipe and put on a electric motor. We use wood blocks for the bearings. just put it down about 4' in the water.
Are you can go like one of my boys has 135' long 35'wide. Set on ther bottom . Its a old river barge. makes a good dock .
ED :D
http://www.portadock.com/dockaccessories.html
You can do it this way then. To keep the ice away from the docks we make our own deicer. All it take is a 1/8X1" band iron 8" long brazed on the end of a pipe and put on a electric motor. We use wood blocks for the bearings. just put it down about 4' in the water.
Are you can go like one of my boys has 135' long 35'wide. Set on ther bottom . Its a old river barge. makes a good dock .
ED :D