Should I Purchase Sheet Pile New or Used?

Tips & Advice

Steel sheet piles are used to make a continuous wall by creating extended structural sections that make use of an interlocking system that’s vertical. Walls of sheet piles are commonly used to retain soil or water. Steel sheet piles may be substituted for other types of sheet piles for certain applications. Other types of sheet piles include timber, concrete, and vinyl. There are pros and cons to each type, and some are better suited to certain projects than others. For the purpose of this article, we will be focusing on comparing new and used steel sheet piles. Steel sheet piles are a popular choice because they can support relatively heavy loads if needed and are incredibly watertight. They can also easily be driven into rocky ground as well as most other types of ground.

FUNCTIONS

Steel sheet pile can be purchased both new and used, and its age has little to do with its performance capabilities. When buying used, condition obviously matters, but the fact that sheet pile is used doesn’t necessarily make it inferior to new sheet pile if it’s in good shape. This is particularly the case if you can get a better deal on used sheet pile as opposed to buying new. Both used and new steel sheet pile can be used for projects involving:

  • Culvert construction

  • Cutoff wall construction

  • Trench shoring

  • Protection for foundation projects

  • Boring pits

  • Jetties

  • Floodwalls

  • Bulkhead construction

  • Groin construction

  • Seawall construction

And these are just some of the applications for new, used, and surplus steel sheet pile. Ultimately, the type of steel sheet pile (new or used) that’s best for your project will depend on things like the length you need, how much you need, the overall needs of the project, and your budget. It’s best to shop around to find the best deal that suits your purposes.

CONDITION

Generally, when you’re assessing the condition of used sheet pile, here are some factors to consider:

  • Length, which can be measured with the use of a string line for straightness

  • The overall, visible exterior condition, including the quality of interlocks

  • The degree to which kinks, camber, or twist exists in interlocks

  • Thickness (be sure to measure it in micrometers)

  • The level of corrosion and whether or not it compromises structural integrity

QUALITY

While some might be tempted to buy dirt cheap steel sheet piles that are on their last leg if they’re just going to be used for one project, this isn’t advisable in most cases. Sure, they may be able to be installed and serve their purpose for a while, but you don’t want to have to repair them prematurely down the road. In the long run, buying higher quality steel sheet pile, whether it’s used or new is your best bet in most cases.

NEW VS. USED

All in all, there aren’t necessarily any downfalls to buying used sheet pile if it meets the needs of your project and can save you some money as opposed to buying new. But if you’re shopping around for steel sheet piles for your project, you may find yourself scratching your head when you stumble upon new or surplus sheet pile that’s actually cheaper than used. This phenomenon exists because there’s been rapid growth of new sheet pile production in recent years, and there have been some changes to the way sheet pile is made. In general, it now costs less to make sheet pile than it did a few decades ago. This drives down the prices of new sheet pile and creates a competitive market for sellers of both used and new sheet pile. It isn’t always the case that you’ll be able to buy new steel sheet pile for less than used, but it happens occasionally.

Ultimately, however, whether you buy used or new, you probably won’t be going wrong, as long as you’re getting high quality steel sheet piles that work for your particular application.

BUY AND SELL WITH EIFFEL TRADING

Eiffel Trading’s steel sheet inventory includes PZ/PZC sheet pile, AZ/NZ/ZZ/Hoesch sheet pile, cold rolled sheet pile, and much more. Additionally, our steel pile inventory also includes steel pipe, h pile, wide flange beams, and more!

All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing for free.

Ready to sell your used heavy equipment or construction material? List your products today for free on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.