How to Install Dock Piling

It is not that difficult to install a dock piling if you have the right tools and the soil conditions are suitable. This how to article will assume that you are repairing a piling in an existing dock and that the soil below is sandy or soft. The technique described is known as jetting.

Things You'll Need

• High power hose, such as a gas powered water pump with a 2 or 3 inch hose
• Dock piling

Instructions

1. First, obtain your pilings. These need to be chemically treated to prevent water damage and early failure. Make sure that the pilings are long enough to reach the dock above the water line after they are driven a minimum of 4' into the soil. Ideally, you should strive for 6'-8' to obtain optimal load bearing. You cannot really go too deep; but if you don't go deep enough, the piling may float out of place! Make sure that your piles are of sufficient diameter to bear the load as well; if you are replacing an old pile match or increase the diameter of the old one (usually 6"-8") for small to medium watercraft.

2. Set up your water pump so that the suction hose is far enough away from the piling site that you don't suck up all the muck you are going to displace. The discharge hose needs to be long enough to reach the bottom of the hole at the furthest pile from the shore.

3. Mark your jetting pipe and pile with index marks so that they can be kept at the same level while you are setting the pipe. At the end of your jetting pipe you will need an elbow at 90 degrees; this will direct the water underneath the piling as you drive it down.

4. As you jet the water below the pile the soil will be displaced so that you can force the pile down in to the hole. You will need to work quickly enough to drive the pile down before the soil settles back into the hole. Work the jetting pipe fully around the pile to keep it centered on the location you desire.

5. Once the pile is in place strap it to the dock with a rope or bungee cord and use two plumb levels or spirit levels to make sure it is true (vertical). Be sure to do this before the soil settles in, otherwise it will be very difficult to correct it! Once you are satisfied with the position, you can jet soil to back-fill the hole.

Tips & Warnings

• It will take at least two people to hold up a 12' x 8" piling; anything larger will require a crane

• For depths beyond 6', additional weight may be required to overcome the buoyancy of the pile; attaching concrete pilings to the top can work well.

• Be sure to wear protective gear to prevent injury, especially abrasions

Resources

• Additional guidance