Building Bulkheads, Floating Docks, Piers and Ramps at the
South Jersey Shore
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How to Choose a Marine Contractor
Choosing your marine contractor can be more important than
any other contractor you may need. Why? Because the marine construction industry
is largely unregulated. No building codes for marine contractors. No true
building permits. Nobody to check the work of the contractor during or after
construction to make sure it meets quality standards. Some see that as an
opportunity to take advantage of customers. We see it as an opportunity to
educate them. Here are some tips to help you choose the right marine
contractor:
Take your time. We highly recommend that you see the work of any marine
contractor you consider for your project, and "ask around" about their
reputation. Call the Better Business Bureau. Ask to visit the contractor's
office, if they have one. Then, learn the rules. Is an Army
Corps of Engineers and/or Department
of Environmental Protection permit required? Visit their websites to find
out, or let us handle your permitting needs.
All wood is not the same. Pressure treated (PT) wood is treated to
different levels. The chemical treatment used in pressure treated wood is called
Copper Chromated Arsenate, or CCA. Most hardware and home improvement stores
carry pressure treated lumber which has 1/4 pound (.25 lb) of chemical per cubic
foot of wood. Marine treated lumber is more heavily treated, and the following
are guidelines for choosing the proper treatment levels. For ground contact or salt water splash, use a minimum of
.40 PT lumber, which has 60% more CCA than .25 lumber. For fresh water immersion
(such as fresh water bulkheads), use a minimum of .80 PT lumber. For brackish
water immersion, use 1.0 PT lumber. For saltwater immersion, use 2.5 PT lumber.
This lumber, at 2.5 pounds of chemical per cubic foot of wood, has 10 times the
chemical treatment of .25 boards. Board dimensions are very important. 2" x 8" boards are much stronger than 2" x 6" boards when used for stringers. Make sure you know the dimensions and treatment levels for the boards to be used on your project. Grades of wood - boards come in different grades. #1 grade boards are stronger and have fewer knots. #2 grade boards are less expensive, and are well suited for dock substructures and for bulkheads. Make sure you know which grade will be used for any decking so you get a fair comparison among bids. Pilings come in different sizes. They should be well seated in the ground as piles that are not long enough may lead to problems. Inadequate pile length may allow your bulkhead to bow out or your dock to sink. Find out the diameter, treatment level, and the length of the piles to be used in your project. Boards that attach to supporting posts such as piles, and are a part of the substructure of docks, should be attached with large bolts - 3/4" diameter. This type of construction is significantly stronger and will last much longer than using nails alone. Galvanized nails will eventually rust and weaken in a saltwater environment, so they should not be the only support for the stringers and decking. Has your contractor specified these materials in his/her proposal?
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JSE Computers
Design exclusively for Channel Marine Construction, Inc.
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