Piling-replacements by local barge companies can be a very expensive repair; moreover, use of the barge may be unnecessary and produce results that are disappointing.
While it's true that a piling driven into the same spot will be "new", it will also be
wobbly for years! (And likely become a problem again in subsequent "bad-ice" years).
You don't mention it, but you'll have little choice if the piling had failed due to the rot that most often occurs at the high-water line. If the ice just pushed the piling out from under the 5x7 dock support, you could have a local handyman fix it. One came to a Wolfeboro neighbor's ice-damaged dock all the way from Meredith (by boat).
Also, if you have "tie-off" pilings, one piling can be replaced by two secured-together for additional ice resistance without a permit being required. Three wrapped together—like a teepee—require a permit. (That was "the word" in Wolfeboro in recent years, anyway.
)
BTW: I've noticed that the ice will push against a piling in short surges. When there are enough "serial" surges, the piling will push against the huge spike:
1) and either splinter the supporting 5x7 or,
2)
bend the spike,
3) or both!
Photo #1 shows a spike bent straight up. Using a short length of pipe, I've since broken that spike off, as it was a hidden danger to kids playing under the dock when the usual big wakes would roll in.
To counter ice's "push", I add heavy chains to give the pilings additional support. One chain actually broke this past winter but likely saved the piling from becoming a victim of "push-under" (at least
once, anyway).
Like mooring chains, those have to be inspected every five years or so. For some reason, this lake just "eats" chain!
