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I’m interested in building a dock

| Posted in General Discussion on May 2, 2000 05:37am

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  1. Guest_ | Apr 30, 2000 10:42pm | #1

    *
    I'm interested in building a dock. I'm hoping to build a suspended end that sticks out over the water beyond the piers. I'm looking for general advice but I do have one specific question, Can I place these piers myself? How deep, how do you keep the mud from sliding into the hole as you dig, is a pile driver the only way?

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    1. Guest_ | May 01, 2000 01:26am | #2

      *Ryan, a lot will depend upon the material at the bottom... Around here, pilings are often set with a water pump: The jet of water is used to evacuate the mud at the bottom of the piling until the piling is set. Then the pump nozzle is withdrawn and everything settles in around the piling. This might work for you.You might also want to check around, since there's often someone who's doing work like this in your area who may be able to give you a reasonable price. They will know from experience how deep to set the pilings in your bottom conditions.BTW, isn't that a bit much of a cantilever?Regards, Steve

      1. Guest_ | May 01, 2000 02:47am | #3

        *Ryan, I think you had best start by calling the Army Corps Of Engineers, probably will need the EPA and any local tree & fish huggers will want to weigh in with a lawsuit or two? Joe H

        1. Guest_ | May 01, 2000 04:13am | #4

          *Ryan - A friend of a friend specializes in cantilevered docks around the Easton, PA area. E-mail me if you want me to get his number, he would probably be willing to give some free advice.

          1. Guest_ | May 01, 2000 05:01am | #5

            *cool design.

          2. Guest_ | May 01, 2000 06:47am | #6

            *yes , most small pilings are (((jetted in ))) with a high pressure water pump... then they may or may not be converted to ((bearing piles))) by finishing with a pile -driver..there are always small dock building firms around that can sub out the pile driving part...the permitting procedures can be anything from long and tedious to impossible..good luck....

          3. Guest_ | May 01, 2000 08:42am | #7

            *Permits is kind-a why I was hoping to do this myself.It's for my wife's cousin, not a job for me, just an adventure. There's an old, falling down dock there now. I'm hopin to start fresh.

          4. Guest_ | May 01, 2000 04:57pm | #8

            *Never mind, I'll call the EPA for you!!! Joe H

          5. Guest_ | May 01, 2000 06:10pm | #9

            *what a pal...Just make sure they spell my last name H...E...N..N...

          6. Guest_ | May 02, 2000 12:12am | #10

            *Ryan.. these bur-a-cats is fallin all over themselves to be the one to issue the most cease & desist orders..they even give 'em guns here..here the coastal council is takin aerials and comparing from year to year.. they'll reach back as far as they want..and the other coastal owners just love droppin a dime on ya..what a mess.. private property is becomming an obsolete concept..

          7. Guest_ | May 02, 2000 01:16am | #11

            *Each & every one has the authority to "Just Say No!" and the penalties are incredible. Up to jail time too. Joe H

          8. Guest_ | May 02, 2000 01:33pm | #12

            *Situations like this are often covered under grandfather type laws. They won't let you build new, just keep in repair what is already there. What the reality of it often ends up being is that you tear down the old dock - all except 4 pilings and 2 cross pieces. Then you make your "repairs" to the old dock with $5,000 worth of lumber!My guess would be a good place to start gathering info would be the locals who do this for a living.

          9. Guest_ | May 02, 2000 05:24pm | #13

            *Where's AJ? Isn't he a dock builder when he's not playing tennis with his lobsters? Joe H

          10. Guest_ | May 02, 2000 05:37pm | #14

            *stop joe.. yur killin me!

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