Knowing How To Build A Dock

One of the greatest ways to enjoy life out in the waterfront is to sit on your own homemade dock

. Whether you plan on using the dock extensively, the dock is a perfect companion to any outdoor space.

What are the items you would need to make a trustworthy dock? You would need some measuring tape, a deck bumper, a sturdy ladder, some chemically treated planks of lumber, lots of steel screws and fasteners, a cordless drill and a handy saw.

In building your dock, the first stage is the design. You have to plan the design before you start hammering away. You need to first take a water depth measurement and see what the bottom conditions are. By doing this you can determine what type of support rods or poles are needed. You should then look over several dock plans over the internet or commission a custom made one.

You should then locate the right treated lumber for your dock. Some treated lumber can be used on all kinds of water like sea or salt water. Try to see which type is in your area. Most supply centers will be able to help you decide on the quantity of lumber needed.

The construction of the dock

You can't make the dock by yourself. You would need at least another person to help you especially when installing the support poles. When driving the support poles, they should be driven at an interval of not more than 8 feet. Use a ladder if driving it in shallow water and consider using a boat or barge if the water is too deep.

After installing the poles, use the bolts and screws/fasteners to attach stringers. It's always a safe bet to put the stringers on a height that would allow for high water levels especially during flood seasons. You should then attach the actual deck to the stringer boards. Keep at least half an inch between the decking boards to allow water and rain to seep through. Also check around the boards to see if they are correctly placed.

Don't forget to attach bumpers on the outside of the dock. Bumpers can be draped over the edges of the docks or placed at the sides. These bumpers help protect the dock when boats are parked beside them.

Handrails are optional. Some people add them as a means to help other people walk on the dock. Be sure the make it a sturdy handrail for it must be able to support a person's weight. You may accessorize as much as want but make sure that the dock can support the weight and the poles are really stable. Benches and small stools are an excellent addition to any dock but don't overdo it. In summary that is how you build a dock.

by: Brian Jones

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