What Are Some Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Building a Boat Pier?

Often boat piers have caught the fascination of many people like none other because of their utility and the role piers play in increasing the value of a property. However, constructing a boat pier is not at all an easy task and the activity is fraught with many risks that can land you in trouble if you don’t learn to avoid them.

Now, understanding and addressing the common problems associated with boat pier construction can help you in staying clear of any blunders. Here in this article, we will discuss these mistakes in pier construction to help you avoid them.

Selecting an Imprecise Location

One of the biggest mistakes you can possibly commit when constructing a boat pier is selecting an inappropriate location that leads to structural instability & inflated repair bills. There are certain factors that you must take into account before moving forward with the construction of the pier.

You should focus on identifying the depth of the water, bottom conditions, and exposure to waves as all these factors can adversely affect the stability of the boat pier. At times, it is noticed that people expose their piers to too much wear and tear when they don’t consider excessive currents & frequent strong waves that cause premature wear & tear.

In addition to that, if you are constructing your pier in an area with an unstable and muddy bottom then it is going to sink or get shifted from its position over the years. That is why you must conduct a thorough site evaluation and get in touch with the local experts while checking the zoning laws as it will help you in selecting the best location for your pier.

Bypassing Local Regulations & Permits

Often it is noticed that people knowingly or unknowingly fail to comply with the local regulations and secure permits and end up paying huge fines while facing legal proceedings and in some cases, the piers are also removed. The different local bodies have their own set of regulations regarding setbacks, environmental impact assessments, and structural guidelines that you need to follow.

Besides that, there are certain areas that require special materials or construction techniques to protect marine life and shorelines from any kind of adverse impact from the boat pier. Now, before you start the construction of the pier, you need to conduct in-depth research on the relevant codes & secure the necessary permits.

In addition to that, some people seek the assistance of a local licensed contractor who is familiar with all the laws and regulations governing the construction of boat piers as they help streamline the approval process and also help avoid costly mistakes that can jeopardize your entire project.

Unstable Foundation & Support Design

Among the various factors that contribute to boat pier failure a weak foundation is the most common one. You need to remember that the stronger the foundation of your pier, the longer it is going to last. A boat pier with a strong foundation is going to withstand changing water levels, tides, and wave forces.

Often it is seen that scarce pilings that are very short or not buried deep enough into the seabed might create a lot of instability and this causes the pier to shift or collapse ultimately. In addition to that, you must always opt for pilings made up of sturdy materials and make sure they are anchored strongly below the waterline.

You can contact boat pier construction specialists who have years of experience working in this field so that they can help in determining the best foundation design meant for your location and water conditions.

Lack of Focus on Maintenance

Most of the time it is observed that people channel all their focus on constructing the boat pier and forget all about maintenance. Now, if you are not paying adequate attention to the maintenance of your pier then no matter how sturdy the build quality it is eventually going to break over the years.

That is why regular inspections and upkeep are necessary without which you won’t be able to maintain the longevity of your pier. You must implement a regular maintenance schedule for your boat pier so that any kind of underlying problems are caught & resolved before they can affect your pier adversely.

Finally

The above-discussed factors are some of the costly mistakes made by people when they move forward with their boat pier construction plan. By keeping these things in mind you will be able to avoid committing these faults that can cost you your pier.