Screw Pile Pier

Building a screw pile pier is an opportunity to create a unique structure for fishing, recreation, or boat mooring. A screw pile pier can be installed on various types of soil, including sand, clay, or muddy bottoms. In this article, we'll discuss how to build a pier yourself, help you choose the right materials, and answer the question of whether it's worth building it yourself or entrusting it to professionals.

Choosing a Suitable Pier Location

The first step in building a pier is choosing the right location to ensure the structure's stability and ease of use.

Factors to consider when choosing a location:

• Soil Type: Ideally, the shoreline should consist of dense soil, such as sand or clay. Screw piles are easily installed in this type of soil.

• Water Depth: Ensure the water depth at the pier location is sufficient for your needs, whether swimming, fishing, or mooring boats. • Wind protection: Choose a location protected from strong winds to minimize stress on the structure.

• Level bottom: It's preferable for the pond bottom to be level or have minimal slopes to facilitate pile installation.

Before building your pier yourself, first level the area around the pond, remove rocks and roots, and fill it with gravel to stabilize the structure.

What time of year is best for building a pier on screw piles?

Pier construction is possible at any time of year.

• Winter: During the winter, it's possible to save on pile installation costs by working directly on the ice.

• Spring: Construction is possible when the water level has stabilized and there is no risk of flooding.

• Summer: The optimal time for construction is when the water level is at its lowest and the soil is firm enough for pile installation. However, in the summer, a pontoon is needed to install piles on the water. • Autumn: A good option if work needs to be completed before the cold weather sets in, but be aware of changes in water levels.

Types of Wooden Piers on Pile

Several types of piers and docks can be built on screw piles. Each type has its own characteristics and operating conditions.

Main types of piers:

• Fixed pier: The most popular type of screw pile pier. The piles are screwed into the bottom of the reservoir, and a wooden frame and decking are installed on them. A fixed pier is resistant to changes in water levels; its structure is not subject to seasonal soil movements. This type of pier is ideal for permanent use. It is most often built on lakes or rivers with stable water levels.

• Floating pier: This type of pier is installed on pontoons and secured to piles, allowing it to "float" with changing water levels.

• Combined pier: Combines elements of a fixed and floating pier. The foundation and first section of the structure are anchored to piles, while the remaining sections are floating. This solution is ideal for large bodies of water or areas with seasonal water level fluctuations.

Is it better to build a pier yourself or hire professionals?

Building a pier yourself or hiring professionals depends on your skills and resources.

Benefits of DIY construction:

• Cost savings: Doing the work yourself will save you money on builders' fees.

• Control: Personal oversight of the quality of materials and installation.

• Flexibility: Ability to adjust the design during construction.

• Benefits of hiring professionals:

• Quality: Professionals will perform installation with a quality guarantee.

• Speed: The work will be completed in the shortest possible time.

• Safety: Professionals will take into account technical details and safety requirements.