Tips on Installing a DIY Dock. Today, it’s not difficult to build a DIY dock, thanks to the kits you can easily order online. However, you still need to set aside a day or two to complete the job. In fact, you need to be extra careful to make sure that the dock does not tilt from one side.
There are plenty of components that go into making a DIY dock, including boat lifts, modular docks, anchors, foundations, etc. If you want to give your dock a little lift, you can include accessories, such as a storage box and ice cooler. If you have the budget, you can build a shed too, which can be the perfect spot for BBQ parties and Sunday breakfast.
Let’s take a look at a couple of tips on how to build a DIY dock:
Tip #1 Design the Layout
Designing a dock is the most fun part. If you have a big family, you are probably thinking about building a broad dock with railings and a shaded spot at the end for watching sunsets. The first thing you need to do is make a blueprint based on the changing water levels in your lake. This is essential to buying boards sizes and materials for your floating dock.
Tip #2 Use Hot-Dipped Galvanized Dock Fasteners
If you are opting for a plastic or foam dock, you will probably be using driving fasteners. These can be deck screws, framing nails, threaded rods or lag bolts. We recommend you use galvanized fasteners because non-coated nails might look durable due to their beefy outlook, but they rust quite fast. Compared to other fasteners, galvanized fasteners won’t rust for years even if exposed to harsh elements.
Tip #3 Don’t Forget to Mount the Lift Dock
Mount docks or floating docks can be easily tilted out of the water. However, this is only possible if the hinge plate is anchored correctly. You will need something strong, heavy and flat to bolt the plate. This will ensure that the dock swings correctly when hooked to a winch.
If your shoreline has unbroken and flat rocks, securing the dock will be pretty easy. All you will have to do is drill into the rock and attach masonry anchor bolts to hinge the plate directly.
Tip #4 Go for Lightweight Section
Wooden docks can get damaged pretty fast and require regular maintenance, which can be quite costly. A docking material that is currently trending in the market is polyethylene. This high-density material is anti-skid, which makes it less slippery compared to wood, has a surface that is rot-proof and promotes drainage.
The most important thing to remember when building a DIY dock is that no matter how many YouTube videos you have watched, you will still need to consult a professional and show them your blue print to get the ok. This will give you the peace of mind that your dock will be installed properly.
If you are looking for quality floating docks for boats or do-it-yourself docks, visit EZ Dock. They offer different types of floating docks for residential, commercial and industrial use. For more information, call (800) 654-8168.
