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How to Float HDPE Pipes

Boat enthusiasts typically secure their boats to a wooden dock. Many wooden docks are floated, allowing the structure to extend into a water body for more boat parking space. Some wooden dock configurations use pipes made of HDPE, or High Density Polyethylene, for flotation. The pipes form the outer shell for foam inserts, which actually provide the bulk of the flotation. HDPE pipes offer strength and lightweight construction, providing numerous years of trouble-free structural hardiness, especially in a marine environment.

Things You'll Need

  • HDPE piping
  • Power saw
  • Polystyrene foam inserts
  • Screws
  • Screwdriver
  • Wood frame
  • Metal "L" brackets
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut the HDPE pipe to the desired length with a power saw. HDPE pipe consists of a very durable plastic resin, requiring a powered hand tool for the easiest cutting process.

    • 2

      Cut a polystyrene foam insert, with the power saw, to the same length as the HDPE pipe. This lightweight foam will provide the buoyancy for the HDPE pipe in the water.

    • 3

      Slide the foam insert into the HDPE pipe. The foam must fill the entire length of the HDPE pipe.

    • 4

      Repeat steps 1 through 3 for another HDPE pipe float.

    • 5

      Position both of the foam-filled HDPE pipes underneath the wood frame for the dock. Typically, the wood frame should be out of the water for the HDPE pipe installation.

    • 6

      Attach one side of a mounting L bracket to the wood frame, above the HDPE pipe, with screws using a screwdriver. Connect the adjacent bracket side to the HDPE pipe with the screws and screwdriver.

    • 7

      Repeat step 5 to secure the HDPE pipe to the wood frame with multiple brackets spaced evenly down the structure's length.

    • 8

      Place the wood frame and connected HDPE pipe into the water. Verify that the piping floats adequately, keeping the wood above the water line.


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