The installation of posts or pilings in the water is necessary for preparing a dock. The pilings must be installed underneath the water in order to provide stability to the dock. The process is not as difficult as it seems and can well be the fun, provided right tools are used at the right rime. Dock installation is essential for either tying the boats away from the water or loading materials in ships. The uses and benefits of a dock are plenty.
However, for proper dock installation, the pilings or pillars providing support to the dock must be strong and properly fitted to the ground beneath the water. Here, in this article, we will discuss the installation of pilings and dock in a stepwise manner.
Step 1. The quality of the posts that are to be installed should be the best, since they would provide stability and strength to the dock. For this purpose, wood treated with pressure are a good choice since they are both economical and sufficiently strong. Some other kinds of pilings that are also used include concrete, robust aluminum, and plastic covered wood.
Step 2. If the dock is being built in silt and sand, the water must be jetted out before pushing the pilings into the bottom. Use heavy-duty power washer for removing silt or sand. Next, insert the pilings in the water with the help of a hammer. The pilings should be inserted 2-3 feet into the earth beneath the water.
Step 3. Use long-lasting PVC (poly vinyl chloride) pipes for creating concrete posts. For this, two pipes of different diameters are taken and the pipe with lesser diameter is fitted inside the pipe having greater diameter. The pipe should be lengthy enough so as to go several feet inside the bottom of the lake or pond on which the dock is to be built. For easy handling, short pieces of pipe should be used and joined together as it travels deep inside the Earth. Now, place the pipe with greater diameter at the bottom of the lake and hold firm. With the help of a hammer, pound the pipe down as deep as possible. Wipe the dirt out of the pipe by using hole diggers.
Step 4. In the last step, insert pipe with lesser diameter inside the pipe having greater diameter. After that, gradually pour concrete inside the smaller-diameter pipe. As concrete fills the pipe, start pulling out the smaller pipe slowly. This way, concrete goes to the floor of the lake and create the posts’ base. Water is kept out by the pipe, allowing the cement to settle. Once, the cement settles properly, the pipe is removed. Further, the dock’s frame is attached to the pilings by drilling holes in the cement. The dock is now ready for use.
So, we realize how easy it is to install a dock if we use the right tools and good quality materials.