Posted on August 20, 2020
Replace or Repair?
Replace or Repair?
Written by ShoreMaster Marketing
Whether you fish, swim, or boat, your lake dock is the foundation of your waterfront activities. You trust it to hold your weight and the weight of everything you do, and it’s crucial that it stands up to the strain of the seasons. No matter how well-built your dock is, wind, water, debris, boat collisions, and other damage will wear your dock down over time, making it look run-down and potentially weakening it.
Knowing the difference between when your dock is due for repair and replacements can save you money as well as time and stress. Give yourself peace of mind by regularly checking your dock for these signs of damage.
Rotting, Cracking or Softening Wood
Wooden docks absorb moisture from years spent in the water, and they’re prone to warping and bending. Damage from impacts can also cause the wood to crack or bend, especially if you don’t have fenders or bumpers or haven’t been keeping up with yearly maintenance. If the damage only affects one or two pieces of wood, you could replace individual pieces or sand off a small amount of rot. If many boards are damaged or are getting very heavy to carry out every season, or if major wooden supports are damaged, it might be too late, and an upgrade to an aluminum boat dock might be worth the investment.
Rusted or Damaged Metal Components
Docks made from steel have a chance of rusting in water or otherwise getting damaged. Bolts can come loose, screws get stripped, welds get chipped, and metal poles get dinged as a result of years of use or impact damage. Small rust spots can be repaired, especially if they’re on individual parts that can be replaced. On the other hand, rusty supports and platforms, or other very large affected areas, mean that it’s more appropriate to completely replace the system, ideally with an aluminum boat dock that doesn’t rust.
It Just Feels Different
If your dock has been around for a few years, it can become a patchwork combination of old and new parts. This is especially true if you’ve been making small repairs to your dock as part of your annual or seasonal inspections and maintenance. No matter how much care you put into your investment, though, it’s probably going to wear out someday: if it feels different or unsafe, doesn’t look as good as it used to, or it’s an enormous, time-consuming pain to install, it’s probably time to replace it.
Upgrade or Replace Your Lake Dock with ShoreMaster
If you’ve decided that it’s time to replace your dock, ShoreMaster can help. We’re an industry leader in sectional boat docks, lifts, and dock accessories that can truly make your waterfront your own. Not only do we have the greatest number of possible customization options in the industry, but we also have years of waterfront and engineering experience to ensure you won’t have to think about replacements or repairs as often. For more information, contact a ShoreMaster dealer near you.
