Dock Bubblers & Deicers
Simple ways to protect your dock from pack ice damage and heaving winter lake ice.
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Ever since I moved out to Thousand Island country and was surrounded by lakes with pond owners or lake cabin owners with docks and boat cribs I have been asked about protecting docks from ice damage. What I have learned over the years about installing a simple do it yourself dock system is that there are many different systems available that do basically the same thing.

The idea behind keeping ice away from the dock, boathouse or pilings is to reduce the damage caused by heaving ice floes and ice pressure buildup that can actually shift dock pilings and boat house structures resulting in some expensive repairs. I am often asked if it is possible to build or put together a cheap dock bubbler system and the answer is always "Yes!" .


The principle of a keeping a dock or marina clear of ice is to ensure that the natural crushing pressure of ice is not able to squeeze the structure. Ice is so powerful that it can literally lift lake bed pilings out of their footings and toss them about like sticks. I have seen large yachts tied up in large Eastern Seaboard marinas suffer thousands of dollars of damage due to ice. The sad part is that almost all cases of ice damage and dock damage are a result of negligence by eh owner or sheer laziness; installing a homemade dock deicer or dock bubbler is not really difficult but the key is to start preparing components and supplies early enough in the season, October or November, to not get caught without a viable system when the cold snap first falls and often surprises!

While ice usually forms in shallow or areas in lakes and ponds without circulation it is important to remember that early ice formations can occur in November in some areas. While typical ice thickness will not maintain a constant spread until December in most Northern Latitudes the freezing of ponds can occur without warning so it is better to buy an inexpensive dock bubbler or build a dock deicer before it is in January and the ice is thicker than you'd like!

Types of deicers, ice eaters and Bubblers
The principal types of automatic systems for protecting marinas and docks from ice damage can be broken down into two main types: the submersed thruster or agitator and the dock bubbler.

Agitators involve placing a heavy-duty submersible motor that drives a rugged propeller in continuous duty to draw warm waters from the depths of the pond or lake towards the surface. The warmer waters at the bottom of the pond usually maintain a temperature of around 4 degrees Celsius or 39 Fahrenheit and by bringing them rapidly to the surface in a directed thrusting stream they can keep large areas of open water even in the coldest of winter temperatures. I have seen this sort of ice-eater literally open up solidly frozen areas in only a few hours.

This sort of deicer works best when you have deeper waters around the dock but keep in mind that even an agitator aimed at the shallow shoreline, if it originates in waters of say 12 feet deep, can create a large opening under the entire dock structure. The size of the opening in the ice depends on the overall ambient air temperature but typically even a 1/2 HP or 3/4 HP device can open up a hole in the ice up to 60 feet in diameter.

When it is desirable to prevent ice damage in large marinas or yacht clubs over winter several units can be combined together to create a huge current that will open upon incredibly large amount of water. These units can either be suspended below the dock or pilings by nylon mooring ropes or can be attached to some sort of dock mount system. Several manufacturers, like Kasco Marine, offer high quality dock mount apparatus that allow you to strictly control the angel of attack of the deicer unit by using a graduated bracketing system.

When a dock is in shallow waters the popular deicer or ice eater may not work as well because this sort of motor needs to push warmer waters to the surface in order to be effective. When waters are 6 feet deep or less there is less temperature stratification in the water and even the water at the very bottom can be too cold to effectively melt surface ice. While the agitation of the water will keep a small hole open even when trying to deice a shallow area the diameter of the hole is typically smaller.

In shallow waters the most popular system is called a bubbler or a dock bubbler. This sort of system involves an air compressor on the dock or shore mounted that blows air into diffusers or a diffuser line like a Bubble Tubing or deicer tubing which is a weighted perforated tubing that releases tiny bubbles down the length of the tubing. The long linear length of bubbles creates a constant movement of water and this steady flowing curtain of bubbles ensures that there is no ice formation along the dock structure or boat slips.

Previous generations of weighted tubing were lead-lined stiff plastic PVC tubing with die cut slits ever 12 to 18 inches. I have found this tubing to be susceptible to kinks and ruptures not to mention the lead metal keel that was designed to keep the tubing on the pond bottom actually used a poisonous metal which has since fallen out of favor with anyone concerned about the potential health effects of heavy metals in our water. Newer developments in diffuser tubing have seen improvements in efficiency and safety by using all PVC diffuser tubing that contains zero metals. PVC is a polymer of vinyl chloride and is insoluble in most organic solvents. Such Bubble Tubing, being constructed of vinyl resins, which are used in soft flexible films for food packaging and in molded rigid products, such as pipes, fibers, upholstery, and bristles, is a more environmental choice. Plus, the ability of such new diffuser tubing to remain flexible in cold temperatures makes it's use as a deicer tubing much more practical.

While the installation of such a dock bubbler system can be more labor intensive than the relative ease of installing a dock deicer, there are advantages.

A dock bubbler, because it uses an air compressor or regenerative blower, will cost less in electrical consumption compared to an ice eater agitator. Submersible motors run from 3 amperes to over 20 amperes depending on the horse power of the motor. An air compressor for a dock bubbler will run between 2 and 10 amperes.

When using diffuser lines to protect your dock from ice damage there will be some fairly common installation procedures: place the air compressor in a ventilated cabinet or shed. Some turnkey deicer systems come standard with a lockable cabinet designed to resist salt water and rust but some cheap deicers or homemade deicers do not include or even mention the need for a protective housing for the compressor. In our northern climates where winter temperatures near the Great Lakes can be a bone chilling minus 30 degrees for weeks on end it is essential to protect the compressor. I have seen some inexpensive dock Bubblers that appeal to the do it yourself deicer types that claim that the compressor can sit on the dock without worry but that is a recipe for disaster! The compressor could be damaged by severe weather or in the case of a power failure could be destroyed by the freezing of any condensation in the compressor housing so don't be fooled into thinking a small dock can use a small linear air pump that sits on the end of the dock.

From the blower or air pump a weighted line runs into the water. The line can be buried but if you are using a thick walled and high bore airline you can often get away with surface layout. At the end of your airline you attach the bubble tubing or diffuser line which typically runs the length of the dock in need of protection. I sometimes recommend running multiple lines of tubing or a perimeter loop depending on the layout of the boathouse and boat slips involved.

Remember that variations in depth can affect the bubble flow of the diffuser tubing so it is better to use multiple lines if there are major deviations in depth around the marine or private dock. Sometimes even a variation of a few feet can inhibit the correct flow of air in a tubing. Since one psi is equivalent to 2.3 feet of depth a difference of few feet could mean that air flow in the weighted tubing is restricted in the deeper areas and no bubbles are being released.

I have seen dock bubbler systems that include single lengths of tubing meant to be placed in a loop of over 400 feet and I have often seen large areas with no bubbles in such installations especially when undersized linear compressors are used. The temptation to buy a cheap bubbler are everywhere on the Internet but it is important to understand the limitations of the technology before leaning towards buying the cheapest system.

Of course, in larger marina projects, where hundreds of boat slips are involved and the dock structure is hundreds of feet of complex maze-like boat stalls a larger, more professional grade system is required. In projects like these we will install large high pressure, high CFM compressors to feed multiple lengths of 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch diffuser tubing. 3 HP to 5 HP compressor are not uncommon using a series of control manifold valves to control the airflow into multiple lines of diffuser bubbler hose.

Regardless of the system you choose it is wise to control the operation of the dock deicer or dock bubbler with a thermostat control that will only initiate operation of the motor when freezing temperatures warrant operation: usually when the air temperature is gist below the freezing threshold. These inexpensive thermostats measure the outside air temperature and engage the air compressor or submersed thruster only when it is required. Another benefit of using a thermo control unit are the savings in electricity costs associated with the deicer.

Building your own deicer, do it yourself dock Bubblers
Deicer & bubbler consultations There is no charge for our pond services.
Please note that all emails or questions submitted to The Pond Report become the property of The Pond Report and may be re-printed.
Your name will not be used if we re-print your question. Submitting a question does not guarantee a response.

Saving money is something most of us want to do and when confronted with the cost of a commercial de-icer I often hear people ask how they can build a cheap deicer or as me how to build a dock bubbler. It can be done but before you consider taking on the task ask yourself if it is really worth the time and effort to buy the parts required and, of course, the actual labor it entails to build a pond bubbler.

If your goal is to protect your dock and eliminate costly repairs from winter ice damage then you should weigh the cost benefits of purchasing a pre-designed system from a local expert. If you are gung-ho about doing it yourself it is really not rocket science! Building a dock bubbler involves buying a cheap pump, adding some airline, and then adding a diffuser hose or even diffuser discs at strategic points under the dock or boat slips. I've seen small deicers built for less than $600 dollars but I've also seen such systems fail due to poor design and costly boat and major dock repairs resulting!

Using standard PVC plumbing pipes and drilling holes with a hand drill is one way to avoid buying professional grade diffuser tubing but one errant drilling of a hole can result in catastrophic failure of the system. Pumping air through an open ended pipe, creating large coarse bubbles, will work to an extent but often the results are hit and miss.

Today's systems have undergone years of testing and while the temptation is often there to build a homemade bubbler is often nagging at our thrifty instinct I have seen such desires lead to more expenses that would have been involved in buying a dock bubbler from a reputable and experienced supply store.

Buying a dock bubbler or a de-icer
Buying a dock bubbler or a de-icer requires a certain level of expert knowledge. The Internet is full of websites that sell dock Bubblers and promote their simple systems and most claim that they do the job without issue. I have seen disappointment in many purchases because the retailer was more keen on selling their product than actually customizing a bubbler system to meet the specific needs of the clients particular situation.

In my years in helping solve pond issues I have seen my share of deicing projects. I don't sell de-icers; I leave the final shopping to those with the hard earned money. There are so many options when it comes to dock deicing that it is crucial to use due diligence and to look for the best deal. But beware, the best deal isn't always the cheapest. I have seen some people save a few hundred dollars by buying a cheap deicer on eBay but then they got no service or tech support when things go wrong. My advice has always been: deal with a company that does more than sell products; make sure they have an actual store, with experienced technicians and a track record of knowing what they are doing. There is more to doing the right thing than saving a few dollars; getting good advice and information is worth much more in the long run.

Dock Bubbler & De-Icer Website Reviews

All website reviews are based on our reviewers experience with the websites being reviewed that offer Bubblers or deicers and their overall knowledge of deicer systems and should be considered as opinions and not scientific or even valid. May the buyer beware in all cases and ask questions before you buy!

Ice Eater
http://www.thepowerhouseinc.com/ice_eater.html
The range of websites offering the ice eater shows that it is a popular low-cost deicer system and our review team was quite impressed by the construction presentation of the ice eater system. The Power House, Inc. uses only the finest materials in our patented product. By example, the end bell is made of solid brass, our housings are stainless, and the venturi shroud, which not only directs water flow, but protects the unit if it's dropped is made from schedule 40 PVC. The Ice Eater is actually more efficient to operate than Kasco. The Power House Ice Eater can clear a larger area than Kasco hp. for hp. The units don't require a dock mount, a cost saving feature. The material used in these products are superior to many other vertical lift unit. They one of have the best warranty return histories in the industry with some units still in operation after 20 years of use (i.e.. Cutter Marine in Maryland). They have established over the last 28 years a strong dealer-distributor network throughout North America.

From the website:
"Ice Eater's propeller draws up warmer subsurface water and deflects it to the surface creating a constant circulation of warmer water that prevents ice formation. Ice Eater will melt existing ice. Unlike other de-icing units, Ice Eater requires no additional hardware in order to obtain the desired de-icing patern. Ice Eater is shipped complete with suspension lines. It can be taken out of the box, hung in place and plugged in. Ice Eater may be hung from a pier or boat. Two to three feet is the average operating depth. For optimal use and placement contact your Local Ice Eater Distributor by clicking the link above. DESIGN FEATURES: The design of the Ice Eater's venturi shroud (housing) with outwardly flared ends draws warmer water from greater depths than other conventional de-icers. The shroud is submersible below the surface either vertically or angled from vertical. A set of mounting holes at opposed positions on the flange allows the lines to be attached."
Pond Report Product Quality Rating™ : 8/10

Dock De-Icer - Dock Deicer
http://www.lmimg.com/dock_deicer.asp
The website and product did not inspire confidence in our review panel. Pricing seemed high given the fact that the compressors seemed like cheap linear models and the tubing seemed like low quality clear food-grade plastic. Broken links in website and poor design left our review team asking if it was even a legitimate business.

From the website:
"DB40 Dock Bubbler™ System w/ 50' Bubbler Loop Our DB40 Dock Bubbler™ System features a quiet SILENT AIR™ Linear air pump with a weather resistant aluminum housing for better ventilation and easy maintenance. The system is very energy efficient and uses less than 36 watts. The Dock Bubbler™ System includes 50' of weighted bubbler line, anchor strap to secure pump to dock or nearby flat surface, 10' supply line (runs from pump to bubbler loop), check valve, and all required clamps and fittings Price $575.00 - QTY weight: 35 lbs
Premium Dock Bubbler™ Enclosure The Premium Dock Bubbler™ Enclosure, available with all Dock Bubbler™ models, houses that best of what we have to offer in an extremely durable, lockable fiberglass container. Features • Reinforced fiberglass construction • Aluminum piano hinge • Stainless steel cable stays • Stainless steel locking hasp • 4” vents • GFCI cord set • Digital thermostatic controls • Watertight hardware • It’s ideal for those who insist on keeping a tidy dock area – even during winter. For areas with tidal issues, where water levels vary widely or in areas with “Brackish” water, we recommend leaving the system running continuously to avoid deposits from collecting on the bubbler hose and impeding its efficiency. Because this particular item contains thermostatic controls, this upgrade is not recommended for use in salt water. For Salt Water applications; please refer to product number: DB-PESW"
Pond Report Product/Website Quality Rating™ : 3/10

Dock Bubbler
http://www.dockbubbler.com/
This product and marketing seem to have struck a negative chord with our reviewers. Widespread marketing of what appears to be a sub-standard product left our reviewers unsure if this was a trustworthy operation. Systems indicated on website seemed to be cheap in quality yet pricing was high. Comments that this website seemed to be one of many offering the exact same product lead our reviewers to ask if it wasn't just an example of flooding the market with the same product under different website names.

From the website:
"DB150-85 Dock Bubbler™ System w/ 180' Bubbler Loop Our DB150 Dock Bubbler™ System features a quiet SILENT AIR™ Linear air pump with a weather resistant aluminum housing for better ventilation and easy maintenance. The system is very energy efficient and uses less than 118 watts. The Dock Bubbler™ System includes 180' of weighted bubbler line, anchor strap to secure pump to dock or flat surface, 20' supply line (runs from pump to bubbler loop), check valve, and all required clamps and fittings. Price $1,395.00. DB150-90 DB150-90 Dock Bubbler™ System w/ 190' Bubbler Loop Our DB150 Dock Bubbler™ System features a quiet SILENT AIR™ Linear air pump with a weather resistant aluminum housing for better ventilation and easy maintenance. The system is very energy efficient and uses less than 118 watts. The Dock Bubbler™ System includes 190' of weighted bubbler line, anchor strap to secure pump to dock or flat surface, 20' supply line (runs from pump to bubbler loop), check valve, and all required clamps and fittings. Price $1,425.00."
Pond Report Product/Website Quality Rating™ : 4/10

Canadian Pond
http://www.canadianpond.ca/de-icer.html
A clear and concise website offering unique systems and custom designed dock protection systems. While no pricing was available the website offered a good supply of information and our review teams found the information was presented in a professional manner. Large and small systems were presented with examples of how they would personalize a system based on client needs. Canadian Kaso Dealer.

From the website:
"Using Bubble Tubing™ to Keep your dock free from ice We recommend two different types of systems to prevent ice from forming around a dock a "dock bubbler" type or a submersed motor type; one uses a length or several lengths of air diffusing Bubble Tubing under or around the dock to circulate the deeper warmer water. A low cost compressor on the dock or nearby feeds air to a length of Bubble Tube™ and the rising boil of active bubbles bring warm water to the surface where it keeps ice from forming. Even a small linear compressor, which consume very little electricity, can produce enough air to create an active circulating movement under your dock due to the low operating pressure of our new air diffusion tubing."
Pond Report Product Quality Rating™ : 8/10

Kasco Marine, Inc. De-Icers
http://www.de-icer.com/
Kasco has been a leader in submersible deicers for years and this website was popular amongst our testers. Good source of information on deicing docks and all specifications for the products. They have dealers throughout North America and our review panel found it easy to contact them to find a reliable dealer in any area in Canada or the United States. No pricing, typical of a manufacturers website, but overall it instilled confidence in our test subjects.

From the website:
"Kasco De-Icers have been trusted to protect property and equipment for over 40 years. Kasco De-Icers have been proven to prevent ice formation around docks, boats, equipment, etc. from areas with minimal ice formation to over 300 miles north of the Arctic Circle. You can rest assured, your Kasco Marine De-Icer will protect your property during the harsh winter months. Kasco De-Icers are also used during non-winter months for improved water quality and water movement. Kasco De-Icers can eliminate stagnant water areas and keep trash and debris from entering your marina, boat house, or dock area. Use your Kasco De-Icer year round for improved water quality during summer months and for preventing ice damage during the winter months."
Pond Report Product Quality Rating™ : 9/10

Ice Away
http://www.arbrux.com/deicer.html
http://www.cottagesitters.com/de-icer/index.html/
The ice-away product is along the same lines as the ice eater and the Kasco systems. Another variation whcih left our reviewers looking at a few Canadian websites that did seem to specialize in Canadian deicing companies. The product itself left some of our test subjects a bit un-impressed but the price points were good and the websites offering the product seemed to be specialists in dock care so they did recieve a good rating.

From the website:
"ICE-AWAY's high speed motor-driven propeller brings the warmer deep water to the surface. It is diffused upward and outward into a circular area equivalent to approximately 8 feet in diameter - for every foot of propeller depth! A 1/2 HP ICE-AWAY with a 25' cord placed at 5 feet of depth will- in most cases keep a 40 foot circle of water ice-free during the winter months. There are optional cord lenths and HP models. The price of a 1/2 HP ICE-AWAY unit with a 25' power cord is $689.95 plus GST and PST. To ensure proper operation, these units should be monitored during the winter months. Changing water levels in the lakes could expose the de-icer unit and result in a burned out motor. De-Icer units need to be kept at proper depth for maximum performance. Power outages that drop breakers will need to be turned back on, to re-start the de-icer. Nothing should be left unattended for a long period of time. "
Pond Report Product Quality Rating™ : 7/10