A dock needs year-round maintenance. It is subject to mildew, wear and tear, weather changes, and decay. Keeping it clean ensures its appearance, longevity, and safety. Here, you should inspect your dock frequently.
A dock faces the worst damage during the weather. Since most docks are made with pressure-treated wood, you should pay attention to the surface and corner during and after every season. Composite wood and hardwood don’t require many inspections, but you should still give it a once-over after heavy rain.
As mentioned above, a dock requires annual cleaning. The most basic technique to clean your dock is to scrub it. This will remove any dirt that is embedded in between the planks. Once you have scrubbed and washed your dock clean, it’s time to show it a little extra care: Staining. Never stain a dirty dock, or the chemicals will not adhere to it.
Let’s take a look at why this is so important:
Sealing Your Dock After Every Few Years
Staining your dock is not the same as painting it. A sealant helps improve your dock’s attractiveness. It also protects the wood from developing mold. Sealing the dock is fairly easy. All you have to do is buy a commercial staining spray, especially meant for docks, and spray it all over the surface. Allow the sealant to dry before stepping foot on it.
The more regular you are with the maintenance, the longer your dock will last. However, if you spot some serious damage, we suggest calling a professional. Trying a DIY repair hack could compromise the entire structure.
Following are four steps on how to properly clean your dock:
Step #1 Perform Regular Inspections
Inspect the dock regularly and look for any loose or chipped pieces. Ensure that every accessory is attached to the dock and not placed on it. An in-depth inspection will help you see the parts that need cleaning.
Step #2 Pressure Wash the Dock
Usually, rain washes away any debris on your dock. However, sometimes, dirt that has been caked on requires a little pressure. A strong stream of water will not only remove dirt but algae too. You should pressure-wash your dock at least once a year.
Step #3 Store Your Floating Dock During Winter
If you have a floating dock, you need to store it in a shed during winter. Stormy weather and snow can damage your dock to a point beyond repair. One of the best things about floating docks is that they come with dock wheels, making moving large pieces very easy. So, keep an eye on the weather forecast so that you can take precautions in advance.
Step #4 Avoid Phosphorus and Ammonia
Using phosphorus and ammonia to clean the dock will damage the material and endanger marine life. When buying cleaning products from the store, choose the ones that come with environment-friendly formula.
This is how you ensure that your dock stays in good condition throughout the year and many more to come. Visit the EZ Dock website and browse their products section for floating docks or do it yourself docks. They even offer dock floats and other accessories to modify your fixed dock. For more information, call (800) 654-8168.
