A floating dock offers convenience and versatility. As a bonus, EZ Dock floating docks are also easy to maintain. While our docks are extremely durable and built to withstand heavy use, some cleaning and maintenance can go a long way in helping to preserve your floating dock. Unlike traditional docks that require extensive maintenance, EZ Dock floating docks will thrive with minimal care.
Learn how to maintain and care for your floating dock through cleaning, proper storage, inspections and other maintenance tips you can use to extend the life of your dock.
The Importance of Dock Maintenance
Boat docks are vulnerable to many environmental factors that can affect their condition and life span. For example, dirt and debris that collect on your dock can stain the deck if left untreated. Algae and barnacles can also grow on your dock as it sits in the water. Regular floating dock maintenance helps you maintain the integrity and safety of your dock for years to come. Maintenance also helps prevent damage to your dock that may result in necessary repairs.
Dock Maintenance Tips
While EZ Dock floating docks require significantly less maintenance than traditional docks, you can still do a few things to keep your dock looking good and in excellent condition. Consider these floating dock maintenance tips to help maintain the condition of this structure over time.
1. Perform Regular Dock Maintenance
EZ Dock floating docks help you avoid maintenance tasks like lubricating cables, gears and chains. Our polyethylene floating docks offer durability and built-in sun protection that eliminate the need for heavy maintenance. The most important aspect here involves keeping your dock clean.
Keeping the dock free of debris throughout the warm months can help you maintain a level of cleanliness. Simply spraying your dock with a hose will keep it free of debris like leaves and dirt. Be sure to keep your dock clean of algae, barnacles and other marine life that may attach to it.
2. Conduct Regular Inspections
Inspecting your dock helps ensure all pieces are properly in place and allows you to make replacements or repairs before big problems arise. It’s best to inspect your dock regularly, especially after bad weather or storms, as they pose a significant threat of damage.
At the most basic level, your inspection should include the deck, anchorage, coupling system and dock equipment. Check each section individually and where the sections connect. Depending on your dock system, you may also need to check walkways, handrails, electrical hookups and any other features your dock has. If you notice any significant damage or missing parts, replacement and/or repair is recommended for safe and proper dock use. To prevent damage from worsening, order replacement pieces promptly.
3. Be Cautious of Bad Weather and Storms
While EZ Dock floating docks are designed to float with the water levels, storms and bad weather can result in drastic water level changes and pose serious risks for your dock. Since our floating docks offer portability, you may want to consider removing your dock from the water when there is bad weather in the forecast.
Strong winds are one of the biggest risks associated with bad weather and storms. High winds and rain can cause rough currents or flying debris, which can result in dock damage. To protect your dock from storm exposure, consider storing your dock in a safe place until the storm passes. While thunderstorms are common in the summer and your dock will do fine in most, be cautious regarding severe storms with potential for high winds, like a hurricane or tropical storm.
4. Properly Store and Care for Accessories
EZ Dock floating docks can be outfitted with various accessories to make your dock more functional and suited to your specific needs. You may add dock lights, benches, ladders, railings, cleats and more. Our inventory also includes recreational accessories like a slide and fish cleaning station. If you add accessories to your floating dock, be sure to include them in your maintenance routine, as well.
When cleaning your dock, remember to clean your accessories too — especially ones sitting in the water or exposed to dirt and debris like ladders and railings. If you use other boating equipment or have stray dock accessories, be sure to store them somewhere safe, like one of our storage boxes, to maintain their condition and prevent them from getting lost.
Storing Your Dock in Winter
Depending on the type of water application your EZ Dock sits on, you may want to consider removing your system for the winter. If your waterfront experiences heavy ice flow during the harsh winter months, your dock or anchoring could be affected.
We can help you winterize your docking system at EZ Dock to ensure it’s properly taken care of throughout the winter months. We can store your floating dock in the winter to prevent exposure to the elements. We can even install a bubbler system to encourage water movement during freezing temperatures. With our help during the winter months, your floating dock will stay safe through the cold and be ready for installation again in the spring, which is something we can also help with.
Contact Us for Help With Your EZ Dock Maintenance
Even though our docks and products are durable and maintenance can help prevent many issues, we understand that damage can still occur. We offer repair services to help you repair and restore your dock so you can continue to enjoy it for years to come. If you’re looking for a new floating or wooden dock, we can help you customize dock configurations to create a dock solution ideal for your waterfront property. We’ll even handle the dock installation to ensure it’s done safely and properly.
To learn more about EZ Dock maintenance or the services we provide, contact our representatives today!