Helical piles for docks
Dock foundations that hold in soft lakebed
Fixed docks, boat lifts and walkways need supports that stay put in mud, sand and moving water. Helical piles install from the shore or a barge without pouring concrete.
Why helical piles
Built for water, soft bottoms and ice
No concrete in the water
Steel piles are screwed into the bottom, so there is no concrete to place or cure and less impact on the lakebed or shoreline.
Grips soft bottoms
Helix plates bear on firmer soil below the mud or silt, where driven posts and cribs can sink or shift.
Resists uplift and movement
Helical piles can be designed for tension as well as compression, which helps with ice, wave action and wind loads.
Compared with the usual options
Why traditional dock supports struggle
Crib docks and wooden posts can sink into soft lakebeds and get pushed around by ice. Concrete footings are hard to place under water and hard to remove.
Helical piles go through the soft layer to reach firmer soil, and installation torque shows what each pile is bearing on. They can be removed by reversing the install, which is an advantage on regulated shorelines.
Dock work often needs permits, and the pile design depends on water depth, bottom conditions and loads. Check local and state shoreline rules, and work with a qualified designer.
How it works
From shoreline to finished dock
01
Survey the site
Note the water depth, the bottom type, the dock layout and the loads from boats, ice and wind.
02
Pick piles and tooling
We help you choose pile size, length and extensions, and drive tooling that suits a shore or barge install.
03
Drive and decking
Drive the piles to the required torque, attach your dock framing and build out the deck.
What we supply
Everything for a dock foundation
Helical piles
Stocked in 2.875, 3.5 and 4.5 inch shaft sizes, with extensions for greater depth.
See Pile SizesInstallation tooling
Anchor drives in a range of torque ratings to suit the pile size and the bottom conditions.
Straight answers
Tell us about the water and the dock and we will help you size piles and tooling.
Questions
Helical piles for docks: FAQ
Can helical piles be used for docks?
Yes. They are used for fixed docks, boat lift supports and walkways, and can be installed from shore, from ice or from a barge, depending on the site.
How deep do dock piles need to go?
That depends on the bottom conditions and loads. Piles are advanced, adding extensions, until they reach the required torque in firm soil.
Do they handle ice?
Properly designed piles can resist the uplift and lateral loads that ice can apply. The right design depends on your lake, so talk to a qualified designer.
Do I need a permit?
Often yes. Shoreline and in-water work is regulated, and rules vary by town, state and waterbody. Check before you start.
Do steel piles corrode in water?
Steel in water can corrode over time, and coatings and galvanizing help. Ask us about options for your water conditions.