How To Deal with Wood Rot and Your Boat Dock

Have you noticed signs of rot on your wood boat dock?

Not sure how to deal with the boards on your dock that feel a little soft underfoot? Looking for advice on repairing a boat dock afflicted with rot?

If you have a wood boat dock, you’ll experience rot eventually, no matter how well-maintained it is. And although it sounds ominous, you can actually stay on top of wood rot afflicting your dock and extend its life considerably.

Take a little advice from professionals in dock design and learn how to deal with rot and your boat dock!

•  Take on maintenance: the first step to dealing with rot is preventing it. Your wood boat dock needs to be cleaned and refinished regularly to stay in good shape. 
• Be vigilant: take a good hard look at your dock several times throughout the season so you can spot rot early on. 
• Don’t stress: rot is going to happen and a few green spots don’t mean you have to roll up your sleeves and pull out your tools immediately. When you spot early on, just keep an eye on it at first. 
• Repair: when the rot gets serious enough, you want to replace the afflicted boards and beams. Be very thorough when you replace because neighboring wood pieces can harbor rot and allow it to spread to replaced wood faster. 
• Replace: if you are having a serious rot issue, it’s time to consider replacement. To avoid run-ins with rot altogether, replace your wood dock with aluminum. An aluminum dock is much easier to maintain and lasts longer. 

 At Alumi-Span, we’re ready to talk about your options for you dock whether you need help with dock repair or want to know more about dock designs and replacement. With more than 60 years of experience, we are professionals you can depend on to bring your boat dock back to life. Give us a call today.

What To Do If Your Wood Boat Dock Has Cracks

Worried about the cracks in your wood boat dock?

Not sure what the cracks in your boat dock mean or how to fix them?

Need help from professionals with experience in dock designs? A major crack in your wood boat dock can be a scary thing. Will it mean an expensive repair or replacement of the whole dock? Is the dock unusable until it’s fixed? Is there a danger the dock could fail and damage your boat or other equipment?

 Luckily, with a little knowledge about cracks in your boat dock, you’ll know what to do and you won’t have to worry. If you notice a crack in your boat dock…

1. Assess the damage. Are you looking at a major crack in a support beam or a minor crack in a surface plank? If you’ve spotted one crack in the wood, carefully survey the entire dock to make sure there’s nothing else to be concerned with. 
2. Determine the cause. Some cracks are just a result of normal wear and tear, but others may be the product of poor design or a collision. Pinpoint the cause to make adjustments and avoid the same problem in the future. 
3. Repair cracked pieces. If the damage is minor, simple repairs will probably extend the life of your dock. With any major crack in a support piece, you may want to consult a professional for the repair. 
4. Consider total dock replacement. If the damage is not confined to one or two pieces of wood, and especially if the damage is to support pieces, it may be time to consider dock replacement. 
5. Ask the pros at Alumi-Span about aluminum dock designs. Wood is a classic and attractive material to furnish your dock with. But aluminum beats wood in durability, longevity, and maintenance requirements. 

If you need to replace your current dock, aluminum is a smart choice for an upgrade. Whether you need help with dock repair or want to talk about your options for dock designs and replacement, give us a call today at Alumi-Span. With more than 60 years of experience, we are professionals you can depend on to bring your boat dock back to life.