Your dock gets a lot of traffic from things like pawprints left by wet dogs, spilled food, and muddy shoes. These occurrences can leave the platform stained, smelly, and dirty. Even if you don’t use your dock for entertainment, it is up against various elements, such as algae, leaves, pollen, etc. Hence, when cleaning the platform, you must use something strong yet eco-friendly. Got to ensure the fish don’t die!
The Importance of Cleaning Your Dock
A dock is part of your house’s curb appeal. It won’t make a good first impression if it’s in poor condition. A dirty dock can tell you don’t care for your property and have been lax on maintenance and repairs. As a result, the property’s value will fall, and you will have trouble selling your lake house.
Things that you need to keep an eye out for include:
- Green Algae – It’s a slimy film that grows in wet and dark conditions. It makes the dock slipper and can cause slips and falls. Once algae penetrate the wood, it causes cracks and compromises the structure’s integrity.
- Moss – It’s a soft, fuzzy growth similar to green algae. It also causes cracks in the dock and leads to wood rot.
- Mildew – These are greenish-black streaks that are unsightly and a health hazard.
Plenty of marine dock cleaners in your local store will help you remove dirt and stains. However, fret not if you don’t have the time to buy one. There are various ways to make eco-friendly cleaners at home.
The Magic of Vinegar
Vinegar’s acidic nature is quite powerful. It can dissolve any mineral deposit, such as grime, grease, and dirt. It also helps kill bacteria and prevents mildew from building on your dock.
Mix two parts of water and one part of vinegar in a bucket. Splash this solution on the dock and scrub the dirt-caked areas with a brush. Use a pressure washer to blast away all the gunk and inspect the dock.
Note: Use the right pressure washer nozzle to ensure the water is not hitting the surface with too much pressure. This might cause cracks in some areas of the dock.
If you still see stains, use a mixture of water and baking soda to remove them. You must put in some elbow grease and scrub the surface with all your might, but the results will be worth the labor.
Next, dry the dock with a dehumidifier and a couple of fans. This is essential as it will allow you to apply the sealant easily. Lastly, apply a dock mildew blocker to ensure your dock does not develop any wear and tear.
And that’s how you clean your dock with a DIY solution! Think of your boat dock as an amenity that offers your many benefits. Maintaining it will allow you to have fun on it for years and make fond memories.
Consider hiring EZ Dock Texas professionals to build your boat dock. They have completed several projects successfully, including floating docks, PWC docks, do-it-yourself docks, etc. For more information, call (800) 654-8168.
