There are quite a number of materials that can be used to make a floating dock. Some manufacturers use 55-gallon barrels/drums to make sturdy floats. Floating docks with barrels are high-performance installations that go a long way in ensuring that people can make the most out of them. But, like all other things, these floating barrels are also vulnerable to wear and tear. In this article, we will have a look at the things you can do to prevent floating barrels from leaking.
How to Prevent Floating Barrels from Leaking
They say prevention is better than the cure. This is why it is important to have a thorough inspection of the barrels at the time of purchase. When you are shopping for barrels for your dock, go with polyurethane drums as they are quite durable.
To ensure that your floating barrels don’t incur the problem of leaks, you should use a plastic gasket that easily fits between the hole and the plug. Until the time this gasket is in perfect shape, you don’t have to worry about any leaks.
However, if the gasket is in a questionable position and you cannot get a new one instantly, you should consider applying silicon around the plug’s threads before you screw the gasket in.
Why Floating Barrels Make Better Dock Floats
Now that we have talked about how to prevent floating barrels from leaking, we feel it is important to talk about why floating barrels are wildly used by dock dealers. Have a look at some of the advantages of using barrels as dock floats:
1. They Are More Rugged
As compared to the walls of the standard rectangular dock floats, the 55-gallon drum’s walls are thicker. This makes them sturdier and more durable. You can beat a drum gallon with a hammer without causing any major damage – this is how strong they are!
2. No Foam Filling
In order to keep the walls from collapsing, you usually have to fill the walls of the rectangular dock with foam. Doing this will end up increasing the weight of the float. On the other hand, drums are stronger by built and don’t require any foam filling.
3. Higher Above the Water
A typical rectangular float is normally 10-16″ above the water level. In comparison to this, a floating dock with barrels sits around 20″ above the water.
4. Less Expensive
Another reason to prefer floating docks with barrels is their affordable price tag. Since these drums are available at a lower price – around $50; compare this with the price of a rectangular dock float that costs around $110-140 – they are naturally the top choice of a majority of people.
The Final Word
After installing a floating dock with barrels, you have to pay serious attention to its maintenance. In case of any damage or leaks, you can consult professionals who know how to deal with dock-related problems. For that, you can rely on EZ Dock, Texas. To book an appointment with an expert there, call at the toll-free number (800) 654-8168.