What is Marine Piling?
Marine piling, often referred to as aqua piling, relates to the installation of a solid beam into the floor of a water environment. For projects reliant on steady foundations, driving piles into water can help provide these structures. A common form of marine piling is marine sheet piling, this involves piling sheets into waterways to protect their banks. Further information on sheet piling in water can be found in our quick guide to sheet piling.
What are Dock Pilings?
For boaters travelling canals and rivers, docks are very useful additions to waterways. Whether used for fishing or boating purposes, docks can increase the value of an area and create picturesque and practical outdoor areas. Yet as with any water-based construction project, there are considerations to take into account, including dock pilings.
As the name suggests, dock pilings are specialised pilings installed to support the structure of a dock. Docks can be heavy and place considerable pressure on piles. Dock building therefore requires robust piling materials and a deep dock piling depth – usually around 6ft (2m) below the waterbed.
Materials for dock pilings
Spending their lives submerged in water, these pilings are subject to conditions which can cause long-term damage. For a long-lasting and sturdy dock, you will require high-quality and the right materials.
For boating docks, steel dock pilings are common as they can support larger weights. It is crucial to use marine grade pilings, which are made by chemically treating steel to resist erosion, preserving the piles. Concrete dock pilings are another form of piling that are incredibly sturdy and resilient. For larger projects, concrete piles reinforced with steel are able to withstand even greater pressure.
Wood piling is also a common choice used for docks, as not only is it long-lasting, it is visually appealing too. Composite marine pilings are designed to prevent corrosion and rot, which are the most common problems for piling materials. However, composites may be unable to support heavy weights so are best suited to smaller dock projects.
From metal dock pilings to PVC dock pilings, there is a clear range of choices when deciding on piling types. The type of dock, soil conditions and many other factors will inform also help inform this choice. It is for this reason why it might best to bring in specialist help. Here at The Rothen Group, we are fully able to recommend and install these different materials.
Protecting dock piling
To maintain high-quality dock piling and ensure the safety and structural integrity of a dock, it needs sufficient protective measures. Pile wrapping and chemical treatments are methods of dock piling protection that can prevent rot and corrosion. A piling post bumper, for example, can also benefit boating docks where the piles are more prone to physical damage.
How can The Rothen Group help?
If you are looking into building a dock on a waterway, you’ll require the advice of marine piling experts to put your ideas into practice. From boat dock pilings to floating dock pilings, we are equipped to complete various different projects and help put your dock construction ideas into practice. As part of our service, we will undertake a comprehensive site visit. From this, we can offer project recommendations and give a dock pilings cost.
Having received the go-ahead to start a project, we will deploy our skilled team. Equipped with specialist equipment, we will complete every project exactly as asked of us on time and to a high standard.
If you have any further questions about dock piling, or would like to know more about the services The Rothen Group can offer, please contact us today on 01827 215715, or email info@therothengroup.co.uk.
