Do you own a boat dock? Then you know that maintenance and repairs of the dock and its accessories are part of the package. But when do you need to replace the old dock? If you fully replace this major water feature, you are investing in your home and property.
But you should not take this large investment of time and money lightly. How can you tell when you need to replace it? Read on to discover a few signs to look for.
1. Foundation Damage
The foundations of boat docks take a lot of beating year in and year out. Supports and posts are submerged all year long but are also pushed by waves and tides at the same time. If these come loose, become wobbly, begin to bend, or develop widespread rust, the entire dock could collapse.
Unlike many isolated water issues, damaged support structures are usually a more widespread problem and a bigger fix than just a few patches.
2. Changes in the Bed
Has the sand bed and rock underneath changed over the years? Your pilings must sink deep into solid bed material in order to remain secure and stable. But the lake, river, or ocean environment is dynamic and ever-changing. Sand bases may grow in size or be washed away over time. Water levels change. And the makeup of the soil itself might be altered by natural and manmade changes.
As with damage to supports, changes in the ground below these supports call for more than just a quick fix. You may even need to adjust the type of dock you have to better suit new environmental circumstances.
3. Excessive Warping
Most boat docks develop some natural warping due to the repeated pressure from waves and use. Pilings and support structures will naturally be pushed away from the direction of waves. The water itself may also cause some warping in wood, a common building material for many docks. But the more time that passes, the more pronounced the warping will get. Eventually, the dock will be unsafe to use.
4. An Expired Lifespan
Did you know that your dock — like all other manmade structures — has a lifespan? Aluminum and other materials can often last longer, but they too will reach their expiration date. If your dock has passed its prime, you will generally start to experience higher repair and maintenance costs as well as a tendency toward more dangerous problems.
5. Rising Costs
Isolated problems with rust, loose fixtures, and wood rot can be patched up and individual parts replaced at times. But have these problems become extensive? At some point, for example, you need to replace the entire wood structure rather than continue to fix individual sections of rotting wood.
This is not always obvious, so you may want to do some cost analysis. Look for patterns in how often you have to repair things as well as whether related bills have risen in a fairly continuous manner over the last few years. Then, compare these costs and projections with the expense of full replacement or even replacing it with more sturdy dock materials like aluminum.
Where to Start
Do you need to replace your dock rather than repair it? Start by learning more about these telltale signs and others. The team at
Edgewater Marine Construction, Inc. can help. With 25 years of experience with all types of Gulf Coast waterfront needs, we can help you determine how to best care for your dock. Whether you just need repairs or you may need a full replacement, call us today to get started.
