For anyone whose happy place is out on the boat, winter can be a bit of a bummer. Not to mention, winter can also bring weather and outdoor conditions that cause harm to your vehicles, accessories, and boat dock.
When it comes to getting ready for winter, maintaining your boat dock through the cold months can seem like a daunting task. Worse yet, some people just simply pack it in for the year and wait until spring, hoping everything is okay for when they return.
Rather than risk it, take these tips from us on maintaining your boat dock in the winter of 2022.
Best Ways for Maintaining Your Boat Dock in the Winter
There are quite a few things you can rely on when winter rolls around. Snow and ice are the primary concerns, but there’s also the added worry that some unnoticed issues and minor bumps and bruises might get worse over the cold months.
Taking time to work through these best ways for maintaining your boat dock in the winter can help you to come back outside during the Spring ready for prepping for boat season. Let these tips be the place you start as you check things off your boat dock winter to-do list.
Tie Floating Docks Down for the Season
If you utilize a floating dock, the best place to start for winter preparations is tying it down to the shore. A stable place is best where you know it won’t end up somewhere you can’t find it. Grab an anchor of some sort and secure it for the season.
If you leave your dock in the water, you might end up with a major issue. As temperatures drop in parts of the country, water can freeze and end up really damaging your dock. If you’ve had this happen before, we bet you know how frustrating the refurb process can be if real damage was done.
Check for Waterproofing Needs
Prepping your dock for winter is a great chance to take a look at your dock’s waterproofing. Cover your dock with water and see what the repelling action is like on your hardware.
If things are looking a bit rougher and water isn’t rolling off the dock as it should, you might want to apply more waterproofing to the dock. Of course, it might be time for a new dock altogether.
Be Prepared for Ice
For those who can’t move their floating dock off the water, preparing for ice is a must this time of year. In 2022, make sure your winter woes are simply not being able to get out on your boat and not a full-blown ice catastrophe.
If you can, lift your dock ahead of freezing temperatures. This will help keep ice away from your dock. The added weight of ice is usually enough for your dock to bare, but older setups might end up cracking under the added pressure.
Check-In With Neighbors if You Leave for the Winter
Lastly, you might not live in the place you have your dock through the winter. Whether you’re a snowbird or saying goodbye to a vacation home, be sure to have a neighbor keep an eye on things for you while you’re gone.
It doesn’t have to be daily visits, but a neighbor who keeps an eye out for damage or issues with your dock over the winter can be super helpful in keeping away any issues you’ll have to deal with come springtime.
For upgrades and new boat, dock equipment be sure to visit our website. Have a safe and enjoyable winter.
Explore Tommy Docks for boat dock systems, boat dock hardware, and boat dock accessories.
