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Dock Design, Dock Inspections, Dock Repair, Seawall Installation & Maintenance, Shoreline Protection, Uncategorized

Things To Keep In Mind When Buying a Waterfront Home

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Buying a home on the water is a great investment that will provide great views and hours of fun. However, the process of finding the perfect property is difficult. There are several factors to consider when inspecting a waterfront home. You need to make sure that the waterfront is in good condition, and will fit your needs. Real estate agents have no problem selling someone barely passable marine equipment to make a quick buck. Today we’ll look at a few things to keep in mind to make sure that you aren’t getting duped into buying a home that isn’t the right fit.

Waterfront Home

Factors to Consider When Inspecting A Waterfront Home

The Water

When buying a home on the water, you’ll first want to make sure that you’d like to live on the lake you’re looking at. You’ll want to make sure the water quality is good, the traffic isn’t too crazy, and check to see what the water levels typically are at every year. This step requires the most research but it’s important to see if you are the right fit for the lake community. In housing divisions and coves, it’s a good idea to watch the traffic of the lake during the evening hours. If there’s a lot of boat traffic, it’ll prevent you from having a peaceful evening if that’s what you seek.

To make sure the water is up to your standard, don’t be afraid to take a quick dip to decide. If the water stinks, is very murky, and full of algae you probably wouldn’t to live there. Obviously it’s a lot easier said than done to find the perfect lake, but patience is always key. The main takeaway you’ll need to see no matter the quality of water is the depth. Make sure your water is deep enough for boats to drive through. This is usually around 5′ – 8′. If the water is too shallow you won’t be able to own a dock or boat lift.

The Dock

The main reason someone would want to pay a premium to live on the water is because they want to get out and enjoy it. Part of that equation requires a boat dock, which needs to be in good condition or you’ll spend thousands more to replace it. When looking into a waterfront property, make sure to inspect the dock. Look at the decking, frames, and floats. If the decking is starting to warp, wood is starting to splinter, or nails are sticking out, then the decking will need replaced. Floats are also going to need replaced if they are barely holding a dock above water. Having to replace the decking or re-float the dock is the thing you’ll have to worry the least about as they are small repairs. If the frames are rusted, you’ll need to replace the dock entirely.

The whole point is to make sure you’re not spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a house to have to spend thousands more to get on the water. If you find a great house but inspect to see that it has a terrible dock, the price should reflect that. It shouldn’t be the same price as a fully operational waterfront.

The Seawall

The final factor to consider when buying a waterfront home is the shoreline. Over time, water will erode sand and dirt away causing a shoreline to recede. This might not sound like a big problem, but losing land on your property is going to hurt your investment. To help protect your investment, check if the property you are looking at has a seawall. If it does, make sure that the wall is in good condition by looking for gaps or warps. You obviously don’t want to pay full price for a property if the seawall is going to need replaced. There is another form of protection that is cheaper and more natural, rip-rap. By placing stone down along the shoreline, it provides an extra layer of protection to prevent erosion. So if you don’t see a wall but do see a layer of rock, you’ll be OK. For more information about shoreline protection, check out our page here.

Buying a home on the water is a difficult process that you need to be prepared for. If there are times when you feel overwhelmed during the process, just think about the beautiful payoff on the water. Make sure that everything on the property is in working order and in good condition. If you need any equipment inspected, our expert team will do so free of charge and recommend a plan to restore working condition. Feel free to contact us for a free quote, or give us a call at (317) 747-4933.

Boat Lifts

Do I Need to Clean the Algae Off My Boat?

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We’ve all seen that green scum on the water. Algae blooms are becoming more and more common for lakes and reservoirs, and that can lead to a few problems. You’ve probably heard that certain types of blue-green algae produce toxins, so it makes sense that you wouldn’t want to swim in those areas. But can algae in general really be that bad for boats and docks?

Potential Issues with Algae

As with any ecosystem, waterfronts have a specific food chain. Algae are a key part of these systems. Rivers, lakes, and even oceans all rely on algae to feed small invertebrates like zooplankton. Those organisms are then eaten by fish, and on and on the food chain goes. The problem, though, is that sometimes algae start to upset the food chain. When too many algae blooms spread out across the water, the dissolved oxygen levels can get too low and make the conditions bad for fish.

In a different vein, algae can also be problematic for boats and docks. Ignoring it can lead to ugly staining, like a green ring around your boat or slimy lines along the edges of your dock. In addition to these cosmetic issues, some marinas will also decide to tag watercraft that have excessive boat algae. Contaminated boats just end up carrying algae outbreaks to other sites, which makes the problem even harder to manage. Each waterfront has to protect their own site and work to keep their ecosystem balanced.

If you don’t stay on top of cleaning boat algae, you could be dealing with other problems down the road too. Your boat’s maneuverability can dramatically decrease when you have too much algae on the hull. The algae can also add drag, which will lower your speed on the water and increase your fuel usage and costs. In extreme situations, the algae could even cause corrosion. Keeping your watercraft clean helps you avoid these problems so you can enjoy your time on the water without any setbacks.

How to Manage Boat Algae

It’s normal to want to clean your boat or dock to take care of any ongoing algae issues. You can get rid of those algae lines and help your boat function like it should. Just remember: algae blooms thrive on nutrients like phosphorous and ammonia. That’s why it’s important to use a phosphate-free cleaning agent. Something with a neutral pH and a biodegradable label is usually best. This will help prevent more algae from showing up at your waterfront.

You’ll need to take your boat out of the water to clean it completely. Ideally, you’ll be able to use a boat lift. But if not, you can move your boat onto a trailer. Then you can either use a boat algae cleaner or tackle the problem with a good power washing. It might take a lot of work the first time around, but the effort you put in now can help protect your boat. If you want to avoid cleaning boat algae in the future, then you’ll want to consider getting a boat lift.

Protect Your Watercraft with a Boat Lift!

The longer your boat spends time in the water, the more likely you’ll be dealing with an algae problem. When you can use a boat lift, you’re giving the hull space from the water—and the algae. This helps it stay cleaner from season to season, so you don’t have to mess with extensive cleaning.

When you’re ready to get set up with a new boat lift services (or if you need boat lift repair to start using yours again), know that our team at Deaton’s Waterfront Services is here to help. Being able to prevent algae from sticking to your watercraft in the first place is so much easier in the long run. It also gives you the freedom to visit other sites without fear of getting turned away because of an algae problem with your boat. Send us a message to learn more about our boat lift dealers and installation process. We’d be happy to answer your questions!

Boat Lifts

About the ShoreStation Revolution Series Canopy

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ShoreStation boat lifts come with plenty of great features for boating enthusiasts. The Revolution Series Canopy is just the latest addition to their lineup of boat lift covers. It offers an even better way to protect your watercraft.

Benefits of Boat Lift Covers

Most of us are familiar with the benefits of having a boat lift. They help keep your boat clean and protected while you’re away. The bottom of your boat stays cleaner longer, and you’ll prevent troublesome issues like hull blisters with dry storage.

But what about boat lift covers? These aren’t just for decoration. Like the lift itself, boat lift covers work to give your watercraft an extra line of defense against the elements. It also helps your boat lift mechanics. Installing a good cover stops grime from building up in your drive components. That way, you can limit your maintenance needs and enjoy more time on the water.

Revolution Series Canopy Features

The newest collection of boat lift covers from ShoreStation have a unique roll-up design. As the name suggests, the Revolution Series Canopy has a traditional canopy style when fully set up. But its big selling point is the “roll and store” feature. This makes it easy to stash the cover away during the off-season. You don’t have to remove the canopy—it just rolls up for storage on the frame.

There’s a gear wrench to work the rolling cover and storage, while the canopy can be raised and lowered just with the push of a button. This gives you a safe and convenient to enter your boat. The system also includes a deep 20” rigid frame for total protection.

You get a wide selection of customizable options with this line of boat lift covers, too. The vinyl-coated polyester fabric comes with a handful of different color choices. Each one has a waterproof textured matte finish. This helps make the cover super durable. These boat lift covers have the look of fabric, but the long-lasting strength of vinyl.

Ready for a Waterfront Upgrade?

We like working with ShoreStation products because they’ve been in the business since 1959. Their impressive track record and quality construction help make them a big hitter in the waterfront industry. And because they make all types of boat lifts, you can find the one that best meets your budget and needs. Choose from a selection of manual drive boat lifts, or go big with a hydraulic boat lift. Then we’ll help you install it!

Our team at Deaton’s Waterfront Services is skilled in all things waterfront. Looking to get the first boat lift for your site? Already tried out different models? We’ll help you get set up with something great. Send us a message or call (317) 747-4933 to start your consultation. We’d be happy to help you out.

Boat Lifts

Common Boat Lift Problems and Solutions

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As we get deeper into the fall season, many boat owners are getting ready to take a closer look at how their boat lift has been performing. Taking care of any boat lift repair issues before the winter hits can help ensure that your equipment will last through the freezing temperatures. Don’t let these problems keep you from getting on the water next year!

1. Boat Lift Cables

Any indications of rust or fraying on your boat lift cables will require immediate attention. These are sure signs that your cables are ready for replacement. Some manufacturers recommend that you change your cables after a couple years of use—even if they aren’t yet showing signs of wear. In general, this rule of thumb remains: it’s better to be safe than sorry. To help improve the use of your cables, consider applying a penetrating oil. This will help reduce abrasive wear on your cable strands and protect against other boat lift repair problems related to corrosion.

2. Drifting Boat Lift Platform

Some boat lifts have problems where the platform drifts down. This can happen for a few different reasons in hydraulic boat lifts. Usually, the first thing to try is to cycle your boat lift up and down to remove any air in the system. You will also want to check the oil in the reservoir. There may be contamination in the oil or the oil level might just be too low. For more serious boat lift repair issues, you may need to contact your boat lift dealer. They can help determine whether your oil has been seeping past the lift cylinder. If that’s the case, then your lift tube or control valves will also need to be checked.

3. Boat Lift Making Noise

If your boat lift is making noise as you operate it, you may just be dealing with some un-greased gears. A monthly inspection will help keep them running like they should. (During that time, you can also make sure the belts aren’t loose or fraying.) Otherwise, a noisy boat lift could be the result of air in the system. This can create a squealing noise from the pump as your boat lift runs. To correct this, simply raise and lower the platform a few times without any load. This should get rid of any trapped air. When that isn’t enough to fix the sound, you may need to contact your dealer for other repairs.

4. Electrical Boat Lift Wiring

Problems with your boat lift electrical wiring can be more complicated. The motor and controls can run into a number of issues that keep your boat lift from functioning correctly. Sometimes, the solution can be found in increasing the voltage to the pump. You might notice this when the boat lift rises slowly. If your boat lift is rising too high, though, you may have problems with the circuit controls. Corrosion is a regular concern for electrical wiring. In order to make these repairs safely, you may need to contact a professional electrician. But contacting your boat lift dealer first can help you assess the situation.

Need Help with Boat Lift Repair?

Checking your bumps for any wear and tear and making sure you don’t have any loose brackets will also help your boat lift last. Other maintenance and repairs, however, can require some professional assistance. As an authorized dealer for ShoreStation, Poly Lift, and Sunstream boat lifts, Deaton’s Waterfront Services is here to help when you run into any problems.

If you can’t figure out why your boat lift is acting up, just contact our crew. We might be able to assess the situation over a video call with you. Otherwise, we’ll plan a time to come out to your site. Taking care of boat lift problems early can prevent a real boating catastrophe. Don’t get caught in a boat lift emergency. Call Deaton’s Waterfront Services at (317) 747-4933 to keep your equipment operating smoothly.

Deaton's Waterfront Services News, Dock Design

How We Work: Deaton’s Waterfront Services

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We want every client to have a positive experience working with the Deaton’s Waterfront Services team. Whether you’re contacting us about repairs to your floating dock, need a new seawall installed, or you have questions about your boat lift, our crew is here to help. In this post, we’re reviewing some of the features that set our crew apart. No matter what type of project you need, we like to follow these guiding principles in our work.

Great Communication

Solid communication goes both ways in any relationship. That’s why our team works hard to listen to all of our clients. Every project takes our full concentration, and we’re proud to be able to supply great results. Our years of experience and commitment to good communication (and great listening skills) help make that possible.

That being said, it’s always helpful when clients let us know their hopes and concerns for a new waterfront project. We like to understand what questions you have early on, so we can do everything in our power to alleviate your concerns and meet your expectations. It’s also worthwhile to know other details ahead of time. For example, telling us that you have a dog on the property can be useful if we’re coming out to do a waterfront site evaluation. Good communication also means we’ll also work to update you along the way for our own progress. This type of reciprocity helps make your next project a success.

Video Consultations

We try to be flexible in how we consult with clients. Since it can sometimes be challenging to find a good time to meet in person, we like to make video consultations available for clients. Whether you want to talk about your Indiana dock or you’re located elsewhere in our service area (including Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Tennessee, or Missouri), we’re always happy to schedule a video chat with you to discuss your project needs.

Our clients appreciate this option for their design and repair consultations because it gives them information faster. Sometimes, repairs are relatively minor. Knowing what you’re facing before we come for an onsite visit can help you plan accordingly and give you a little more time to make a final decision. It’s easy to get the input your need with a video call. That’s why we like to encourage all of our residential, commercial, and government waterfront services clients to consider this option whenever it makes sense. We’re happy to work with you in whatever way works best!

Accurate Designs

Striving for top-of-the-line service is always one of our goals. Usually, this starts in the design phase. Covering all of the necessary details before the physical project begins helps keep our projects on-time. Plus, it helps makes the entire process more enjoyable for everyone involved.

With over 30 years of expertise in the industry, Deaton’s Waterfront Services aims to provide quality at every step of your project. From boat docks to boat houses, we like to offer clients clear designs to make sure all of your needs are met. This is just as important for residential dock projects as it is for our larger commercial and municipal waterfront assignments. When we can agree on a set design before we bring materials out to your site, it’s easier for us to avoid unnecessary delays and confusion. Our clients appreciate this attention to detail, and we know you will, too!

If you’re ready to continue the conversation of how Deaton’s Waterfront Services can help with your next project, please send us a message. We’d be happy to discuss your design options, repairs, or installation during a video call or onsite visit. Or, give us a call at (317) 747-4933 to learn more!