Preparing Your Dock for Spring

Spring is on the way! Is your dock prepared for the season?

Here’s what we recommend:

• If you leave your dock in year-round, you should perform a maintenance check in the spring. Look for obvious signs of damage and corrosion before you attempt to use your dock recreationally.
• Lake levels can fluctuate several inches year to year. Water levels change based on rain patterns or land use near your lake. You never want waves to come over the top of your dock, so check your platform height from the water and modify the leg heights as needed.
• Ice can put a lot of twist pressure on structures, so be sure to inspect the brackets, clamps, and hardware. If you do find a cracked part, you can order a replacement for that piece. Check to see if your dock stayed level. You might choose to have it ramped up a bit from the shore or seawall, but it should be as level as possible. You can use a carpenter’s level or you can just measure from the deck to the water surface.
• Your aluminum dock will not rust, but it can get dirty. Aluminum docks also get their fair share of algae, dead worms, leaves, and general lake gunk. It’s a good idea to clean your dock at least once a year.

Get More Tips for Maintaining an Aluminum Boat Dock in Michigan

Find out why your friends and neighbors have been enjoying Michigan aluminum boat docks for more than 50 years! Try out our dock design tool online, give us a call, or submit a contact form to start your dock project. We can’t wait to help you get out on the water this summer!