Read through the Frequently Asked Questions below for information about docks, seawalls and other related topics. Contact us if you we can answer any other questions you may have.
We service Collier and Lee counties in South West Florida, from Port Of the Islands in the South to Fort Myers in the North. Contact us for a free estimate for construction and repairs in these areas.
1. Inspect for loose deck boards and rotting frame members. Re-nail/screw and replace as necessary.
2. Inspect the bolts holding your dock framing to the seawall and to the dock pilings. Tighten all loose bolts and nuts. Replace broken fasteners with new stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized hardware. Also tighten bolts holding cleats and line holders.
3. Apply a good wood preservative/sealant to the deck boards. This will help repel water and extend wood life. It is not advisable to paint dock boards because most paints will peel in a short time and become unsightly.
4. Inspect all electrical lines for broken or frayed insulation. Contact ourselves or a licensed and insured electrician for any repair or replacement works as necessary.
5. Check water lines for leaks and loose hangers and repair any that are in bad shape. Contact ourselves or a licensed and insured plumbing contractor for any repair or replacement works as necessary.
If you check your wood pilings at low tide and see erosion and loss of wood at or near the water line, they are being eaten up by marine borers, they can destroy your pilings in a few years, if you let them. The dock pilings life can be prolonged by the installation of a quality "piling wrap" at time of installation. If your pilings have not been wrapped and are suffering from decay then they can be wrapped to delay the requirement for new pilings. It should be noted that we recommend that all pilings are wrapped at time of initial installation for environmental, piling life and cost ( it is more costly to wrap a piling once installed). Contact us for more information and a free quote.
At least once a month, and after every heavy storm, check your seawall. Walk along the top and look for signs of movement: newly cracked concrete; crevices opened up in the land behind the seawall; or a recent drop in the ground level immediately behind the seawall. Stand at the property line and sight down the seawall cap to see if it is straight. If there is a "bow" in the wall, you may have a problem. If you suspect movement, contact us to inspect your seawall and recommend a repair. Early detection is imperative to minimize any costs for repair or replacement.
For boats on lifts, raise them as high as possible to keep them above the high tides or storm surges. Secure them with strong lines tied to cleats on the lift pilings cleats, not the cleats attached to the deck as this will only damage the deck. Be sure to remove anything loose. Also, taking the drain plug out is a must. The cover needs to be secured and tight. A boat full of water can break the lift from the additional weight. Plug the engine's exhaust outlet and strip the boat.