The Top 5 Signs To Replace Your Dock
Replacing your dock is never an easy decision to come to. Hearing that your dock will need replaced is like giving it a death sentence. Everyone knows it is much cheaper to repair a dock rather than replace it. There are many cases where a dock can be repaired, but sometimes docks are simply too old and aren’t repairable. Fortunately, modern boat docks are built with the latest techniques to see that they’ll last for decades. Today, we’ll look at the symptoms that your dock isn’t repairable and will need replaced.
When Is It Time to Replace My Dock?
1. Rusted Frames/Supports
For metal docks such as floating or stationary, rust can be a big issue over time. Small holes and cracks in the frame can always be repaired, but when large portions start to rust and break it means there is not much life left. Supports such as pipe driven into the ground can also rust and give out over time, which is also fatal in stationary docks.
2. Warped Frames
Heavy waves and currents can create pressure that will twist and bend frames over time to cause a major warp. Collisions will also warp your frames, and can be caused by boat accidents or large pieces of debris. In cold-weather climates, stationary docks also face a problem with warping. As ice thaws, sometimes the land will shift causing the support beams driven into the ground to also move.
3. Rotten Wood
If your dock is constructed out of wood, once it starts to splinter and rot it is time to replace the dock. While docks with wood decking can simply replace the decking, docks built with wooden frames and supports suffer structure damage once they start to rot.
4. Refurbishing Too Costly
Once a dock gets so old that all the floats need replaced and the entire decking needs redone, it may be a better financial decision to simply replace the dock. While in the short term it may seem less costly, but at some point the frames will wear out which could be sooner than later. So it makes more sense in the long term to replace the dock and worry less about maintenance.
5. Foundation Damage
On fishing piers and boathouses that require a concrete foundation, it is important to regularly inspect the foundation for cracks and damage. Once the pilings start to give out, they are no longer safe to support the dock.
High Quality Docks From Deaton’s Waterfront Services
When the diagnosis has been made that it’s time to replace your dock, Deaton’s Waterfront Service’s has the team of experts that will gladly assist you in designing a high quality dock that perfectly fits your needs. Our docks are built to last using the latest marine construction techniques. If you are interested in replacing your dock, or need our experts to come out for an inspection feel free to contact us or give our office a call at (317) 747-4933.