Barnacles and marine growth
Growth that clings to pilings in the tidal zone and traps moisture against the wood, speeding up rot.
Pile Saver Installation
Pile Saver Installation
Stop scraping and pressure washing pilings. Pile Saver is a patented collar, invented by our owner, that rides the tide and keeps marine growth from taking hold. We install it on new docks and existing pilings.
What this solves
Problems we help with
Shipworm damage
Marine borers that work into pilings where growth gives them cover, often out of sight until the piling weakens.
Endless scraping
Scraping and pressure washing pilings is tedious, labor-intensive, and has to be repeated every season.
Capabilities
What we build and handle
- Installation on new pilings during dock construction
- Retrofit on existing pilings, with no need to slip it over the top
- Piling cleaning before installation
- Fabrication to fit round and square pilings of most sizes
- Sistered, scabbed, old, and new pilings
- Free piling inspection to confirm the fit
Material & construction options
The right material depends on your site, budget, and how long you want the structure to last with minimal upkeep. We talk through the trade-offs before anything is ordered.
On the coast
Site and coastal considerations
How it works
Pile Saver floats with the natural rise and fall of tides, waves, and boat wakes. Each movement scrubs the piling through the tidal zone, the band between low and high water where marine growth concentrates.
Preparation
The only prep is removing existing growth from the piling. We handle it as part of installation, or you can do it yourself if you are installing your own.
Keep the travel clear
Cross bracing in the tidal zone can stop the collar. Bracing is typically moved above high tide so the Pile Saver can travel freely. We check this during the inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pile Saver?
Pile Saver is a floating collar that fits around a piling and moves up and down with the tide. As it moves, its PVC interior scrubs the piling so barnacles and marine growth cannot take hold. It was invented and patented (U.S. Patent No. 8,403,598) by our owner in Ocean Isle Beach, NC.
Can Pile Saver be installed on an existing dock?
Yes. Pile Saver can be retrofit onto existing pilings without slipping it over the top of the piling. The pilings are cleaned of growth first, then the collar is installed.
What kinds of pilings does it fit?
Pile Savers are fabricated to fit most piling sizes and designs: round or square, large or small, sistered or scabbed, new or old. We confirm the fit during a free piling inspection.
Is there research behind it?
Yes. A 2013 North Carolina State University study compared ten piles fitted with Pile Savers against ten without, on a pier in the Intracoastal Waterway at Oak Island. The unprotected piles filled with barnacles by August; the protected piles showed no significant accumulation. You can read the full study on our Pile Saver page.
Can I buy Pile Savers without installation?
Yes. Pile Savers ship nationwide with installation instructions. Call us to order, or ask us to install them if you are in our Brunswick County service area.
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