Winter time is almost upon us once again, which means that now is the time to prepare for it. During this down period where your dock isn’t getting as much activity as it would in the summer is the best time to inspect your dock and marine equipment and make sure any repairs get taken care of. This process may take about an hour, but it is worth it before something expensive breaks. While stationary docks aren’t usually in an area where they require winter maintenance, floating docks usually are. The best time to prepare your floating dock for winter is during the season where it is not used. Today, we’ll go over the things to look for to get you ready to winterize your floating dock.

Preparing Your Floating Dock For Winter

Checking the Anchoring

The first thing that you’ll want to check on your dock is the anchoring. You want to make sure your anchoring is still secure and in place. First, check your anchoring to see if there has been any movement. If there has been, you’ll want to contact your local waterfront expert to get it fixed and secure right away, or else you could walk out one day and wonder where your dock went.

If your dock is anchored by a cable system, you’ll want to check the cables to see if any are frayed. Check to also make sure that all clamps are still attached and secure. Inspect your winch to ensure that the toggle pin is still locking and can hold your winch in place. Grease all the gears to make sure they don’t rust over the winter. You’ll also want to give your anchors a little bit of slack to account for changing water levels from fall to spring.

If your dock is anchored by pipe or pilings, first check to make sure all the brackets and fittings are still secure. With pilings, make sure to check the piling hoop along with collar attached to the dock. If you have PVC covers, check to make sure they aren’t getting cracked, as they are cheap and easy to replace.

Inspecting Your Floating Dock

After ensuring the anchoring system is still in good condition, it’s time to inspect the dock. Walk around the perimeter of your dock and inspect the frames. Make sure there is no broken weld spots, loose bolts, or rust. If you find anything broken, make sure to arrange to get it repaired immediately.

The last thing you’ll need to worry about is your gangway. Make sure the pins are still secure in place and haven’t shown any signs of movement. Also check your hinges to see if they have shown any symptoms of loosening.

Get Ready for Winter Maintenance with Deaton’s

Getting your dock ready for the winter is a stressful process due to the amount of work it involves. Fortunately, the expert waterfront team here at Deaton’s Waterfront Services are here to help! If you are in the process of getting your dock ready for winter and aren’t sure what to do, feel free to contact us or give our office a call at (317) 747-4933. We are able to come out, inspect docks, and offer recommendations for getting your winterized. As always, stay safe!