Caring for your plastic floating dock all year round helps to extend the life of the dock as well as its usability. Furthermore, depending on the climate of the region, the state of the dock may deteriorate in certain seasons, so it is necessary to carry out work for the repair and strengthening of the dock according to the seasons.
Spring Cleaning and Inspection
The best time to look for damages of your plastic dock is in the spring, as various damages may have occurred during the winter season. Make sure that there is no crack, loose connection or any signs of wearing out. To prepare the dock for installation, ensure that it is washed with warm water and mild soap to eliminate the dirt. This inspection and cleaning help your dock get ready for the next busy season.
Summer Maintenance
The most traffic during the year is observed during summer and that is why your dock will experience this kind of traffic. Make sure that all the hardware is fastened and there is no algae or dirt on the surface of the boat. Inflate the floatation devices to check on its condition and whether they are still providing sufficient floatation. If your dock is a floating one that is placed on a lake, ensure that it is not toppled over by the extra weight of the activity.
Fall Preparations
Starting from the onset of the fall season, start getting the dock ready for the winter season. Check if there are any signs of wear and tear on the dock from the summer and fix it if possible. Remove as much organic material as possible from the surface to prevent it from staining or decomposing. Some of the recommendations include pulling out accessories that may be affected by winter or pulling out sections of the dock which can be easily fixed in spring.
Winter Care
If you operate a plastic dock and you live in a country with a freezing climate, it is important that you find ways by which you can protect your dock from the ravages of winter. Ice is also very destructive to docks; thus, it may be wise to pull out your dock from the water, if possible. If the dock has to be left in place then try to use deicers to prevent ice build-up in and around the structure. Make sure the dock has been well anchored so that it can survive the strong storm common during the winter season.
General Maintenance Tips
It must also be noted that the methods of caring for your plastic dock should be done throughout the year to increase its durability. Ensure that there is no dirt on the surface, signs of wear/tear and that all the connections are tightened. This way, you can avoid having a small problem turn into a large one if regular and appropriate action is not taken.
Therefore, it is advised that you provide seasonal care for your plastic dock to ensure it’s safe and durable. When it comes to the manner in which you care for your dock, there are several things that you ought to do as per the seasons; whether you have a custom dock system or you have a floating platform for a lake.