Keeping your dock in good condition is an important part of boating enjoyment. It helps prevent major problems from happening, reducing the need for costly repairs down the road.
Your dock repair should be inspected on an annual basis to catch small issues before they develop into bigger ones. This is especially true if it’s made of wood or a composite material.
Damaged Support Structures
The support structures on your dock take a lot of beating. They are pushed by currents, waves and boats while submerged all year round. If any of them crack or become wobbly, it could cause the entire dock to collapse.
The good news is that many isolated problems can be patched up and fixed, but when they become extensive or if they’re causing more damage to other parts of the dock, it may be time for full replacement.
Wood rot can usually be repaired by replacing individual sections of wood with treated wood that is less susceptible to fungal decay. However, if the rot covers large areas of the dock or poses a hazard to other support structures, it is in your best interest to replace your boat dock.
Fascia Damage
Fascia boards are long boards that run along the lower edge of the roof and connect gutters to rafters. They help to protect your home against water damage and can be a good way to identify areas that need repair.
Occasionally fascia boards will get cracks from weather exposure, animal damage or age. However, it is usually an easy fix if caught early.
Another common cause of fascia damage is a poor gutter system. Gutters that aren’t properly installed can draw moisture from the roof onto the fascia board and cause it to rot.
One of the best ways to prevent this from happening is by ensuring your gutter system is installed properly. You should check your gutters every 6 months to a year to make sure they are still working and not getting damaged.
When fascia boards rot and become soft they can no longer support the weight of your gutter. As a result, the gutter will eventually fall off of the wall. Once it does you will need to replace your gutters and fascia boards.
Dock Fingers
A dock finger is a modular section of a dock that runs perpendicular to the main dock. These narrow sections sit on either side of a boat when it moors, making it easier to embark, disembark, park and attach the boat.
When the individual dock fingers become wobbly or droopy, it could be a sign of a larger structural problem. If you spot one or more of your dock’s fingers that are drooping or floating lower than normal, it is imperative to make repairs quickly before they get worse.
In addition, if you notice rust on your dock platform or support structures, this is a serious concern as well. Rust can eat away at the wood, potentially causing it to decay and break down over time.
Underwater Foundation or Platform
If you notice cracks or warps in your dock, it's important to get the repairs done quickly so you don't cause more damage. However, if you see rot, it's best to replace your dock entirely.
In addition to structural problems, the rotting wood can also affect the stability of your dock, especially if it's causing any major shifts in the structure of the dock. This means that you'll need to hire a professional to repair any damage to the foundation or platform before it becomes too severe.
Moreover, it is important to inspect your dock regularly to make sure that there are no other issues going on. If you notice a small section of the dock that is warped or cracked, it's likely that you can simply sand it down to make it more uniform.