Keeping up with dock maintenance is the key to preventing future issues, saving yourself time and money. Different types of docks have different needs. The two most common types of docks are made from timber and concrete. Both types of docks require different types of maintenance in order to prevent dock repair in the future.
Timber docks are one of the most common types of docks in regions like the Florida Keys. Docks made from this material are cost effective and durable, but require certain steps to be taken to prevent future dock repair needs.
Steps you can take to protect your timber dock include:
1. Install Plastic Wrap
Plastic wrap can cover and protect your timber pile in every area where water comes into contact with the wood. This keeps marine organisms from attaching themselves to your dock and eating the wood, which can rot and soften the pile and make it more likely to snap and deteriorate.
2. Pressure Treating Pilings
Installing piling that are treated at 2.5CCA are the recommended treatment for wood that will be fully immersed in salt water. Pressure treating your piles is the act of forcing chemicals into the wood that helps prevent water from deteriorating it and insects from eating it.
3. Wood Piling Caps
Because of the pressure treatment process, the most treated part of the pile is the outside. The center of the pile has the least treatment. To combat rotting, you should also install piling caps which will help to prevent rain from getting on top of the pile, soaking into the wood, and causing rot from the inside out.
4. Treat Framing With Marine Grade Wood
To prevent framing from rotting, it is important to use marine grade framing with the highest legal amount of treatment possible (.60 CCA).
If you have a concrete dock, there is very little you can do to prevent future dock repairs. Some small things you can do to maintain your concrete docks include:
1. Watch Out for Cracking
Concrete docks can crack, which results in water getting into the dock and causing rust to the internal reinforcing bar.. Keep an eye on your concrete dock to ensure that no cracks are forming. If you notice cracks starting to form, you can paint and seal the entire surface to keep water out, or simply seal the cracks, however, the latter might not look as visually appealing.
2. Use Sealant on Fresh Concrete
When concrete is freshly poured, it is important to cure it 1-2 times a day with cold water for the first 3 days. This will slow down the curing process, make the concrete stronger, and help prevent cracking during the curing process as well as in the future.
Whether you have a concrete or timber dock, getting the right permits to install and maintain it is a crucial component in preventing issues with your dock in the future. At Rapid Permits, we can help you secure the docking permits you need quickly and efficiently. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you anticipate and prevent any issues from arising with your dock in the future.
