Depending on the level of damage, there are a couple of alternatives to full piling replacement: piling wrap and encasement. For pilings with minimal borer activity, wrapping the piling with vinyl will kill off the existing infestation and prevent further attack.
Wrap is an inexpensive way to protect timber pilings but still requires light maintenance. Boat impacts and debris can puncture the wrap, and over time, barnacles can grow along the seams, allowing marine borers inside. Growth can easily be scraped off with a taping knife and should be done annually. Pay attention not to gouge the wrap while cleaning it.
Pilings with extensive marine borer damage can potentially be salvaged with concrete jacketing. This process involves encasing the piling with PVC that extends from above
the high tide line to below the mudline and filling the form with concrete.
If replacement is necessary, new timber pilings should be wrapped with vinyl after being driven to prevent the wrap from being damaged during the pile-driving process. Composite pilings are also an alternative to timber piles. Typically made from vinyl or fiberglass, they are filled with concrete once installed and are a low-maintenance and cost-effective alternative to standard timber pilings.
With the dock assessed below the waterline, it’s worth taking a moment to look at your seawall or bulkhead.