Tag Archives: dock repairs

Dock Design, Dock Material

Pros and Cons of a Stationary Dock vs. Floating Dock

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A stable dock allows you to enjoy the water—whether you’re entering your watercraft or just hanging out by the waterfront. Yet these structures aren’t indestructible. Normal wear and tear might mean your stationary dock isn’t holding up like it used to. Is it time to upgrade your dock with repairs? Or do you need to spring for a total dock replacement?

The Difference Between Dock Types

Many dock owners have been satisfied with their stationary dock for years. But the newer dock options on the market might cause you to change your tune. Depending on your waterfront, a floating dock could be a better setup. Knowing the pros and cons of the two main dock types will help you make an informed decision.

Stationary Dock

Areas with high traffic tend to do well with stationary docks because these structures are less affected by watercraft activity and movement. Stationary docks also tend to work well for areas that tend to have a consistent water level. Plus, they can help give you a sturdy footing when you get in and out of your boat.

The problem with these systems, though, is that they can be difficult to repair. Issues with the pilings—especially in deep water—can be expensive to fix, and problems with warping or breaking are almost unavoidable. Dramatic shifts in the water tide can also make it tricky to enter the water or reach your watercraft safely.

Floating Dock

Swimming platforms and waterfronts with fluctuating water levels utilize floating docks because these systems can rise and fall with you water depth. This feature makes floating docks incredibly versatile for a variety of sites. Floating docks also tend to be more affordable to install and maintain.

On the flip side, a floating dock may not be your best option in areas with a lot of water traffic. Because these docks follow the ebb and flow of water, a busy area might make these types of systems uncomfortable for your needs.

Typical Stationary Dock Repairs

Being exposed to the elements can make it impossible for a stationary dock to last forever. Factors such as snow load and ice can wear down on your equipment. Then there’s the matter of sink holes or shifting earth. If you start to notice that your dock isn’t quite level, or that certain sections aren’t as stable as they used to be, it’s probably time to make some dock repairs.

Below the surface, your dock might be in need of piling replacements. Pilings are often the weak point of the structure, especially when ice and land shift come into play. Although repairs can be costly, they are necessary for a stationary dock. Ignore them, and you might be dealing with an incredibly unstable and unsafe dock—or even one that starts to slip under water!

Floating Dock Replacement Benefits

If you need a dock to support a boat lift, then you’ll have to stick with a stationary dock setup. But for other sites, a floating dock might be a better alternative. Unlike stationary docks, these structures adjust to where you boat is sitting in the water. That’s why it can be easier to enter and exit your boat from a floating dock, because these structures move with the water level. Some manufacturers even offer unique launch setups to make it even easier to enjoy your watercraft. EZ Dock products, for example, include low profile docks and canoe and kayak launches. These pieces can be great add-ons for a variety of dock layouts.

The other benefit of a floating dock is that it’s completely customizable. If you aren’t satisfied with your layout or need to expand, it’s relatively easy to make adjustments. Modular builds give you unlimited versatility with your design. Simply choose the pieces you’d like to add to your dock, install, and enjoy.

If you’d like a free estimate for a new boat dock, please contact our team at Deaton’s Waterfront Services. We’re always happy to collaborate on new designs. Let’s schedule a time to talk about your waterfront’s setup to find the dock that’s right for you!

Dock Inspections, Uncategorized

5 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Lake House

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When thinking about buying a lake house, there are a few questions to keep in mind. You don’t want to make such a big decision without considering the most important features. Whether the lake house will become your second home, a rental, your permanent address, or just a place to escape on the weekends, thinking through these details can help you confirm that you’re making the right choice.

1. Is the driving distance reasonable?

You don’t want to commit to a property that’s inconveniently located. Be brutally honest with your calculations on the drive-time. That way, you can avoid the problem of loving a property, but hating the distance it takes to get there.

If you have a few different properties in mind, comparing and contrasting the driving time to each location might help you narrow down your options. Do you want a lake house that’s just an hour away, or can you make do with a trip of 2 or 3 hours? Also consider the traffic. Will you be leaving after work on a Friday? In that case, you might need to add another 30 minutes to your travel plans.

2. What lake house maintenance is required?

Being handy doesn’t necessarily mean you want to have to put in a lot of hard work for your new lake house. A close critique of what’s working and what needs repairing can help you decide whether you want to make an offer on the property.

For example, does the lake house have a boat house or floating dock that needs major dock repairs? If you aren’t sure, you might want to have a waterfront expert come out to do a review of the existing structures. Just like how a home inspector analyzes every corner of a house, a waterfront review can give you valuable information on the structural soundness of a dock or water feature. You don’t want to make the mistake of buying a property without these checks. Otherwise, you might have to foot the bill for an expense seawall repair or other renovation down the road.

3. Do you have access to other amenities?

In addition to counting the miles from the lake house to your permanent address, you’ll also need to study the distance from the lake house to other amenities. How much time are you willing to spend driving to the nearest gas station or grocery store?

Odds are, your full-time home is within close driving distance to everything you need. But your new lake house might have a more remote location. Depending on what your expectations are, you might not be ready to go with an address that’s too far “off the grid.” Think through all the requirements before you move forward with your decision. Do you need a hardware store around the corner? How about a movie theater? What you plan to do at the lake house might help you determine what amenities are necessary, and what are just unnecessary luxuries.

4. Are the lake’s regulations agreeable?

Some lakes that you’re looking at might have strict regulations as part of their homeowners’ association agreements. If you aren’t sure about these rules upfront, it’s important to double-check with the sellers so nothing gets missed.

Are you going to have the freedom you want at your lake house, or will you have to make some adjustments to your plans based on the HOA regulations? For example, are you going to be able to build your own floating dock close to your shoreline, or are there certain restrictions? Knowing about these potential roadblocks upfront can give you the clarity you need to feel confident in your new place.

5. Can you enjoy the lake house year-round?

While a lake house tends to be most enjoyable during the summer months, you’ll want to make sure your investment has year-round appeal. Assuming you can’t get on the water in the winter, will you have other reasons to utilize your property during the “off season?”

A lake house has to hold up to other measures that just being near the water. The inside of your home is equally important. That’s why you’ll want to do a careful walk-through all around the property. Can you see the potential to enjoy the space during the holiday season? Are the views nice enough that you’d still want to visit even if you can’t go out on your boat? Making sure you’ve got the total package will be a great benefit to you and your family. After all, you don’t want your new space to go to waste!

Deaton's Waterfront Services News, Dock Design

Why to Plan Your Waterfront Projects in Winter

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For a lot of boating enthusiasts and waterfront property owners, the wintertime can’t be over soon enough! But you don’t have to be at a total standstill while you wait for the warm weather. There’s plenty of work to be done for your new dock in the off-season.

Waterfront Projects in Winter

One of the great things about winter is that you have actually have time to think through any projects you want to take on in the new year. Assuming your fall dock maintenance or dock winterization went well, now is the time to start considering other upgrades. What exactly will you want to add to your waterfront when spring rolls around?

A smart way to get ideas for your new dock design is to check out the upcoming boat shows in your area. These events provide a fun outlet to explore your interests in more detail. You can plan to attend a local show, or even make arrangements to visit an out-of-state event. Either way, it’s nice to be able to see what updates the industry has to offer before you get back on the water.

For example, you might want to add a kayak launch to your dock. Or you may want to install a floating platform for your family to enjoy in the summer. Being able to meet with a waterfront services company in person can be a great help. It allows you to compare dock materials ahead of time so you can find the right equipment for your budget and needs.

Professional Dock Design

New dock builds, repairs, and additions often benefit from having an experienced team. Deciding what type of dock is best for your property can be complicated enough, but you also need to consider the different styles of decking.

The dock design process can seem overwhelming if you go at it alone. With so many factors to consider, it’s often necessary to have a professional waterfront services team to guide you through each step. Your location and water depth will impact some of the most important design choices. Yet, you’ll also need to consider your dock’s end-goal.  Buying a larger boat or wanting to add a boat house or a boat lift can change the entire layout. You might need to utilize your waterfront differently down the road.

In those cases, a modular dock design can be a real asset. These systems are great for new floating docks. Talking with a professional dock company can help you identify the pieces you need now, without limiting your options for future upgrades. That’s one of the reasons why we like working with EZ Dock systems so much!

Year-Round Service with Deaton’s

Deaton’s Waterfront Services is proud to provide design consultations year-round to help with your next projects. Our experience with wood, composite, aluminum, and thru-flow materials can help you create the perfect dock—whether that’s a custom floating dock or a stationary setup. We do it all, from private residential docks, to commercial dock systems of all sizes.

If you have any questions about designing your new dock, or making plans to install additions to your dock in the spring, please don’t hesitate to reach out. At Deaton’s Waterfront Services, we’re always eager to hear from you, and winter is a great time to start planning your projects. Contact us early to make sure you’ll be ready for the next season!

Dock Material, Dock Products

DIY Dock Building Equipment and Tips

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For pro-active waterfront enthusiasts, building your own dock can be quite an achievement and source of pride. There’s nothing wrong with the DIY-approach, but it can help to have a little help and advice along the way. Doing a little research will help ensure that your dock is safe and built to last.

Some DIY dock projects can be wrapped up in as little as an hour or two, while others require more detailed planning and prep. If you’re just looking to make a minor repair on your dock boards, for example, you might just need to replace a couple decking screws. The bigger projects take a little more skill. But with the right can-do attitude, you’ll be all set.

General Dock Building Tips

To start, it always helps to have a plan so you can map out what parts you’ll need. Take stock of what you’ll need for your dock, and try to think ahead so you can adjust accordingly. Do you think you’ll want a kayak launch in the next few years? Consider building that into your design now. Then you won’t have to change the layout or end up purchasing sections you’ll only replace later.

Another good rule of thumb is to keep things simple. If your waterfront is pretty flat, you can check out a lot of great floating dock systems. We really like working with EZ Dock because their equipment is user-friendly and adjustable. Because it’s a modular unit, you can modify the layout easier that other traditional floating dock styles.

On the other hand, some shores can have a significant drop-off. If that’s your case, a DIY approach might not be your best option. You might need to start with a contractor to help anchor your dock equipment to the rock bed. Determining your project cope upfront can help avoid any trouble down the line.

Dock Equipment and Supplies

Whether this is your first major dock projects, or you’ve been honing your skills for years, it always makes sense to try to get the best deal on your dock supplies. Purchasing your equipment used (or like-new) can go a long way in making your new dock cost-effective.

You can even order your EZ Dock materials through a supplier and do the install yourself. For those looking to purchase equipment at discount, we also have a variety of dock materials on hand for your own DIY project. Whether it’s materials from another client’s site, or spare parts for your anchoring or coupling, we can probably set you up with the right tools for your job.

Feel free to contact us if you have questions about our current supplies. If we don’t have what you need in stock, we’ll be happy to place an order for you. Then it can ship directly to your address for a truly hassle-free process.

DIY Dock Building Help

At Deaton’s Waterfront, we’re always available for design consultations. Even if you don’t need help with the install itself, utilizing our design services can help you get started on the right foot by choosing the layout that’s perfect for your needs and waterfront.

If you have any questions about how to get started on your DIY dock project, give Deaton’s Waterfront Services a call at (317)-747-4933. From consultations to easy dock supply orders, our team is always happy to help. Contact us today to get started!

Dock Inspections

Pitfalls with Used Dock Equipment—and How to Avoid Them

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Buying waterfront property is a great when you love spending time on the water. Having a dock already installed can be really convenient, too. But try not to get ahead of yourself. Just because there’s water and a dock, the property may not be the best fit for your lifestyle.

Home inspections help tell you whether the house you’re looking at is structurally sound and built to code. Checking out a property’s used dock equipment works the same way. When you’re aware of the possible problems you can get with used docks, it’s a lot easier to save yourself from financial upsets—or even safety hazards—down the road. You might be in for a rough ride if the dock wasn’t installed properly.

Check for Dock Damage

It’s normal to do a home tour when you’re thinking of buying a new property, so don’t skip out on walking the used dock. Dock equipment ages just like anything else around your property. You’re looking for two things in the beginning: rot and rust. Noticing either of these signs could mean long-term trouble for your waterfront.

Used wood docks can develop rot for any number of reasons. The planks might not have been treated properly, the wood could be poor quality, or it’s just been neglected for too long. Because wood rot can spread, it’s important to take care of the issue early on. The same goes for rust. Metal supports or other components that appear to have rust may jeopardize the integrity of the structure. With enough damage, the dock may not be safe enough to use. Seeing either rot or rust should definitely be a red flag.

Professional Dock Inspection

Whether or not you see rust or rot problems, you might still consider taking a closer look at the dock equipment. A professional waterfront specialist can come out with the proper equipment to assess the durability and construction of the dock from every angle. It’s a great way to get true peace of mind before making an offer or purchase.

For starters, a professional dock inspection will let you know whether the support beams on a stationary dock have any problems with warping or cracks. These supports need to be strong if the dock is going to survive long-term use. Any indications of damage might lead to bigger safety issues.

Buyers should also be aware of the risks of foundation deterioration or sand band erosion around waterfront properties. Hiring a waterfront expert can help give you an unbiased opinion of the dock’s surroundings. Again, like home inspections, a dock inspection will offer you an in-depth analysis of the structure. If you’re going to make a well-informed decision about a new property or dock, you’ll want to have all the facts. They’ll either point out a couple concerns, or tell you it’s good to go!

Deaton’s Waterfront Services

You may have fallen in love with a waterfront view, but if the dock is severely damaged, you might need to think twice about making an offer. Will the dock last well into the future? Are you willing to pay for dock repairs? The structure needs to be stable and secure for you to truly enjoy life on the water. Talking with a dock expert can help you decide ahead of time whether the setup is right for you.

For more information or to schedule your own dock inspection, you can always call on Deaton’s Waterfront Services. We’re proud to serve the waterfront needs of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, and Tennessee. Contact us today to get started!