Depending on where you live in Texas, winter can be rough for waterfront residents, especially during snowstorms, blistering winds, and freezing downpours, causing lakes and ponds to freeze. As rare as this is in the Lone Star state, it can still happen and present a stressful time for dock owners as they become more prone to ice and structural damage.
In this post, we’ll share how to prepare your dock for winter so you can prevent unnecessary damage and ensure all your docking accessories last longer.
Dock Damage During Winter
A frozen lake is undoubtedly a mesmerizing sight. However, the ice can easily damage a fixed or floating dock even if the water is partially frozen. This is due to ice expansion and contraction, which increases the pressure applied to your dock, forcing it to either become misshapen or brittle and prone to breakage. You probably think you’ve got nothing to worry about if your waterfront doesn’t freeze over during the winter. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
Strong winds can also damage pilings and dock accessories, such as storage boxes, bench, dock slides, and lighting. Moreover, dropping water levels might cause your floating dock to bottom out on rocks or shorelines, leading to structural damage.
Preparing Your Dock For Winter
1. Fixed Dock
If you have a fixed or stationary dock, there are many steps you can take to prepare it for winter in Texas to prevent damage. The most common solution is to purchase de-icers for your dock’s legs, preventing ice from forming near them. You can also invest in a dock bubbler which releases air bubbles through a compressor connected to a hose and increases the internal energy of water – stopping it from freezing. However, this solution may not work if the lake or pond levels drop or moving ice sheets hit the dock due to high winds.
2. Floating Dock
Unlike fixed docks, floating docks can be removed and stored before the winter since they’re made of lightweight material. However, you’ll need more hands-on deck and tools like a socket set, screwdriver, and a winch for dragging the dock out of the water. Aluminum pipes and composite boards are not designed to withstand winter ice, so you need to quickly unfasten, fold, and store them.
Conclusion
Although fixed and floating docks are designed to be durable and resilient, they’re still prone to ice and structural damage during the winter. Therefore, learning how to prepare your dock for winter can help you save thousands of dollars in repairs or replacements. At EZ Dock Texas, we aim to educate our clients and readers with damage prevention tips to ensure their docks and docking accessories last longer. We also offer an extensive range of products and solutions that you use to upgrade your waterfront and make it more accessible.
For more information, please call (800) 654-8168 Toll-Free or (817) 684-0202 Local.