Dock Maintenance 101

January 8, 2021

If you own a house on the waterfront, you've probably figured out that it comes with a lot of maintenance and upkeep you don't have on other kinds of property. Because your dock is a high traffic area and sits in the water, the updates and fixes you'll need to perform are among the most critical to your property's health.

Take care of these problem areas every so often to ensure that your dock will stay safe to use.

Clean Annually

You likely won't pinpoint weaknesses or notice where decay has compromised the design if your dock is continuously dirty. At least once a year, you should scrub the deck down, clear out gaps, and cut out mold and mildew that might have built up. You may invest in a pressure washer to keep your deck clean, but you should use it sparingly and gently to avoid incurring more damage than the deck had before.

Your annual cleaning shouldn't be the only time you get rid of the gathering gunk, of course. Regular cleaning will help you notice when something is amiss with your dock and give you time to fix the problem before the damage gets too severe. On-season or off-season, you should sweep or shovel the surface regularly to remove branches, leaves, puddles of water, and other debris.

Inspect Often

Even if you look around your dock when you clean it, you'll need to perform frequent checks and inspections to look for repairs that go beyond your DIY capabilities. The material of your dock will make a difference in how often it needs an inspection. If you have a pressure-treated wood dock, you should inspect it after any harsh weather and at least once per season since the wood is more likely to incur damage than other materials.

You should also check your composite wood or hardwood dock after a storm or rough weather, but other than that, you can limit your inspections to semi-annual checkups. These woods are sturdier than their pressure treated relative and should withstand damage with greater ease. Still, keep an eye out for soft spots, loose attachments, and damaged planks, and repair any such problems before someone gets hurt.

Seal and Stain Consistently

One way you can help your dock last a while longer is to seal off the wood and protect it from damage. You don't want to use paint for this job - it decays and flakes off too quickly and will leave the surface looking distressed, not refreshed. Look for a sealant that will penetrate the wood, not just apply a coat over it as lacquer or varnish would. Synthetic materials seal best most of the time to keep algae and mildew at bay.

To seal off your dock, sand the dry surface beforehand. You can add a stain to keep the wood a different color or merely apply a clear sealant to keep the elements at bay. Spray a few coats over the dock, allow it to dry, and you'll have protection from the elements for a while. If you choose to use a stain, you'll need to refresh it every year or so, which you can do as part of your annual cleaning and inspection process.

Whether you need a dock, a seawall or bulkhead, or a boathouse added to your waterfront property, Edgewater Marine Construction, Inc., has you covered. The team has over 30 years of experience in marine construction, and we're dedicated to providing all of our clients with quality service at affordable prices. Contact us today to see how Edgewater Marine Construction, Inc., can make all of your waterfront dreams come true.

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