Category Archives: Dock Parts

3 Tips to Get Your Dock Ready for Spring & Summer

Get ready to get back on the water! While we are currently in the middle of an extreme cold period with about a foot of snow in Indiana, we’re also about a month and a half away from Spring. No more cold weather! This means it is time to get all marine equipment ready for the upcoming season. Those that don’t prepare well will be sorry. If a piece of equipment got damaged by winter weather, ill-prepared waterfront owners will be stuck waiting to get on the water. And once dock company’s schedules start to get full it can take weeks to get something repaired. Today we’ll look at what to inspect to make sure your waterfront will be good to go in Spring.

How to Get Your Dock Ready for Boating Season

1. Inspecting Your Dock

Winter is harsh on docks. Snow and ice aren’t like rain in the summer that just drips right off, they pile on top and stay for a long time. So after sitting on top of a dock for several days or weeks, the weather starts to cause damage. So the first thing we should inspect when the weather is nice enough is the dock. First, inspect the decking. Make sure the material looks just as good as before with no rotting, splintering, cracks, or warps. Once you’ve noted the condition of the decking, move onto checking the frames. Look underneath your decking and make sure the frames aren’t warped or rusted. Make sure you notice if your dock is looking like it is sitting in the water lower than usual. It could be the entire system, or just one finger sitting a little low. If that’s the case, then the floats are damaged. Finally, inspect the anchoring and make sure it isn’t rusted or broken.

Now if you noticed any damage, it’s time to make sure to get it fixed now before the season starts. Fixing damaged decking, floats, or anchoring are small problems that can be fixed if caught early. These are all repairs that can be expensive of up to a few thousand dollars, but it’s nothing compared to spending tens of thousands on a brand new dock.  If the frames become severely warped or rust and break, then you’ll unfortunately probably have to replace the entire dock. Having an idea of what the damage on your dock is before you call in can help put your nerves at ease rather than waiting on a diagnosis.

2. Examining Your Boat Lift

Snow isn’t a real issue on boat lifts, but ice is. Instead of worrying about warping and cracking, you’ll need to worry if the lift is operational. Before we begin, always check your owner’s manual to see proper winterization techniques recommended from your manufacturer. There a lot of things that can get damaged during the winter on a boat lift. You could find damaged bolts, winches, power units, cables, bunks, or guides. After visually inspecting for wear and tear on any of these parts, it’s a good idea to cycle your lift up and down to make sure it’s working as intended. If you have a cable lift, be sure to listen closely and make sure you hear no snapping or noises coming from the cables. Unfortunately you can’t really replace a cable until it breaks, but it’s good to know it is coming rather than be surprised. For hydraulic lift owners, check your fluid and make it is filled to the appropriate level recommended by your manufacturer. Most issues and repairs needed for lifts will have to be dealt with by an expert. Fortunately, there are many experts with several years of experience at Deaton’s Waterfront Services.

Another aspect of getting your lift ready for the season is the canopy. Lift owners know to remove their canopy and store it for the winter to prevent tearing over the winter. If you leave a canopy on during the winter, snow is going to pile on top of it and destroy it. Call your local lift dealer and schedule them to store and reinstall your canopy every winter and fall. It will save you from having to replace a vinyl each season due to poor care.

3. Checking Your Seawall

The last piece of equipment you need to inspect is your seawall. Snow and ice will also warp and abuse a seawall during the winter. As water freezes and forms a layer of ice, it will push up against a seawall and try to morph it. As the sun appears during the day, it will cause the ice to start to melt and crack. The problem is, at night it will all refreeze and beat against the seawall. This constant cycle will damage the seawall over time and cause it to crack, warp, have gaps, and leak. If a seawall is well made with the right material, it will last for many decades but unfortunately you can never predict when nature will decide to ruin those plans. Inspecting the wall is simple, just walk along and inspect for warped metal, gaps, or leaks. If you notice a problem it will need to be fixed immediately before more damage piles up.

There is a way to help combat the damage that ice can throw at a seawall. If you own a bubbler, it will circulate the water throughout the winter never giving it a chance to settle and freeze. This will help protect anything you may have in the water including a dock, lift, or seawall. It is also helpful in the summer time to get rid of debris such as stray logs.

Final Thoughts To Get Rid of Winter

Getting your equipment working with plenty of time to get your boat prepared for the season is the best thing you can do for your future self and your property. While having damaged equipment will not only drive your property value down until it’s fixed, it also sucks to see everyone out on the water having a blast while you’re not able to. It’s best advised to have your equipment inspected by a waterfront professional sometime in the fall to give yourself plenty of time.  Once the schedule fills up for manufacturers and waterfront service shops, it can take weeks or months to get you a new part or get your equipment fixed. So make sure to see if your equipment will need a repair immediately to make sure you can be out there having fun with everyone else. If you feel more comfortable having an expert inspect your dock, feel free to reach out to us here at Deaton’s Waterfront Services. We will send a team out to inspect your equipment for a free quote. As always, feel free to contact us or give us a call at (317) 747-4933.

Pros and Cons of Using a Dock Kit

When the time comes to replace or install a dock, you have a few options. Do you want to go the DIY route? Or would it be better to call on a team of dock builders? Reviewing the pros and cons of each scenario can give you a better idea of what the best dock solution will be for you and your site.

Benefits of Getting a DIY Dock Kit

If you’re pretty handy with other building projects, opting for a DIY dock kit can make a lot of sense. There are plenty of systems available today, and you can even call on your local waterfront services company to see if they can help you find the right fit for your needs.

1. You can work on your own timeline

Working with a dock kit can be appealing because it gives you the flexibility to complete your dock build on your terms. It doesn’t matter if you want to stretch the project out for a few weeks or tackle it in a single weekend. Plus, you can have the bragging rights when to you get to the end—knowing that you did it all yourself.

2. You might feel more comfortable making repairs

Being the one to see your dock build through from start to finish can also help you down the road. When any repairs pop up, you’ll probably be better equipped to handle them on your own because you know exactly how your dock is constructed. You attached those floats, brackets, and sleeves all on your own.

3. You can save money on labor costs

Moreover, assuming you already have the skill set required, you should be able to save on the overall cost of your dock when you work with a kit. Getting rid of any labor expenses can open up the doors to invest that money elsewhere.

Reasons for a Custom Dock Builder

Even if you’re leaning towards getting a dock kit, it’s worth looking at the other side of things for the installation itself. You can always call on a waterfront company to purchase your dock kit and then utilize them for the actual construction too.

1. You can get it done right—the first time

When you find a crew that’s had years of experience installing custom docks or dock kits, you should be able to expect high-quality work. There’s a good chance that you’ll run into a few problems when you work through a build on your own. If you pass the job onto another team, you could save yourself some stress.

2. Your waterfront might need professionals

Not every site is super convenient for building a dock. If you have a steep shoreline or have had issues with your dock in the past, you might want to call on a professional dock builder from the get go. That way, they can make sure your anchoring is set up correctly and that your installation is secure.

3. You could buy your dock kit from them

Even if you want to build with a dock kit and do the work on your own, you can still benefit from calling on your local dock builder. Odds are, they’ll already have a selection of dock kits for sale. They’ll also be able to give you a little insight on the process before you get started. That’s how we handle dock kits here at Deaton’s Waterfront Services. If you want to learn more, please don’t hesitate to call us at (317) 747-4933.

Dock Hardware and Parts for DIY Dock Repair

Not every set of dock problems requires a total rebuild. Sometimes all it takes is a couple new parts to get things back on track. If your dock installation needs a little help, check out our selection of dock parts. When you have access to the right gear, it’s a lot easier to do your own repairs.

Top Dock Hardware for Your Project

Even docks that are installed correctly can use some upgraded parts now and again. Whether your dock repairs are from normal wear and tear or the unfortunate result of a major storm, we can help get you what you need to fix things up. If you aren’t exactly sure what that might be, just give us a call at (317) 747-4933.

1. Dock Anchoring Parts

Your dock needs to stay secure against wakes and wind. Swapping out broken brackets can help keep everything in the right place. We routinely work with EZ Dock anchoring components for floating docks. We can also help with your stationary dock parts. Our supplies include everything from standard pipe brackets to adjustable piling brackets and more.

2. Encapsulated Dock Floats

Having trouble with your dock floats? Deaton’s Waterfront Services can get you squared away. EZ Dock products are covered under a limited warranty. This makes it easy to repair cracks and leaks. Swap out your old dock floats for these models to extend the life of your floating dock.

3. Bolts and Screws for Docks

Older docks can struggle with rough weather. If you’re dealing with a bolt break, you know you need to get it replaced fast to keep everything else in order. New nuts and dock bolts can help you restore your system for another good season.

4. Hardware and Cleats

We’re proud to offer high-quality dock hardware for every type of dock setup. Consider adding extra dock cleats to give your dock more options for boat mooring, or look into other augers or pipe supports for a steadier build. Our dock parts shop can ship supplies to most any Midwest residential dock owner or commercial dock site.

5. Rubrail and Dock Bumpers

Making sure your dock has bumper around the perimeter can help protect boats and your dock from getting knocked around in choppy water. Damaged bumpers and old rubrail don’t usually work like they should. Give us a call if it’s time for an upgrade.

6. EZ Dock Accessories

Deaton’s Waterfront Services proudly represents EZ Dock in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Tennessee, and Missouri. When you need replacement parts for your EZ Dock setup, let us be your go-to shop. For general repairs, additional stability, or dock expansions and upgrades, we have the parts you need to keep your EZ Dock looking great.

Need Dock Parts? We Can Help!

Our team is always happy to consult with you on your dock project or new concept. We have over 30 years of experience to guide you through your designs and repairs. Let us help save you some time.

Tell us a little more about your current problem or what you think you need. Then we can recommend the right part for the job. Our parts include manufacturer warranties, and we can walk you through the process to do the work on your own. Or, you can have us come out to do the dock repair project for you. To learn more, feel free to give us a call or send us a message. We’re ready to help you fix anything!

Dock Parts

Dock Parts

Look no farther if you are need of dock parts. Building a new dock, adding on to an existing dock, or repairing an older dock. Deaton’s Waterfront Services is the one stop shop for dock parts to your weekend project.

Deaton’s Waterfront Services can whole sale all components of the dock from the bottom to the top, and all makes and models of pre assembled docks. If you are in need for

  • augers
  • bolts
  • galvanized dock frames
  • cleats
  • encapsulated floats
  • rubrail
  • screws
  • Pipe collars
  • Pipe sleeves
  • dock winchs

we keep all of this in stock for pickup or all can be shipped through standard carriers.

With our 30 years of experience Deatons Waterfront Services can be able to “coach” or advise through any upcoming repair, project, or concept you are considering. All of our parts that are available come with manufacturers warranty and have self help guides to installation and long-term maintenance.

Repair

DWS offer the highest quality of stationary dock parts, floating dock parts, and gangway parts. These items are proudly made in the USA, and are suitable for residential docks, commercial docks, or temporary rental docks.

A lot of the parts we provide will help extend the life and functionality of your dock usability. Adding bumper to the perimeter, or cleats to certain spots will help protect the dock and boats that could be mooring up to the dock structure.

Adding dock parts could help provide stability to the dock frame, by adding some additional augers or pipe supports that make the structure more sound or safe.

With our online store, and our office locations its easy to see what dock parts will help you the most for your upcoming dock restoration.

“WE are here to help”

DWS can ship to Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, and Michigan. Feel free to do a live skype with us or call our office 317.747.4933. Happy to help with all dock parts, and makes/ models.

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