Importance of Regularly Cleaning Boat Docks
Owning a boat is a lot of work. You need to maintain regular checks on your boat to make sure it’s not damaged or if it is, then repair it. A lot of other things come along with owning a boat. You need to have a dock where your boat will be stored/parked and you also need an apparatus that will help you load your boat there. Regularly cleaning boat docks is an important thing to do because of how frequently it’s used.
One of the most important aspects of cleaning your boat docks on a regular basis is just that, so it stays clean and free of any dirt or residue. As the docks are made of wood, water can have a negative impact on them creating algae and other harmful deposits. These deposits need to be thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis to enhance the lift of your boat dock.
Why Cleaning Boat Docks Is Important Anyway
When you purchase a boat, you make an investment. Everyone knows that boats are not cheap and require a greater amount of maintenance and care. The things involved with owning a boat are also to be given the same amount of attention. Anything that assists in the maintenance of your boat should be treated equally to ensure better quality results for your boat. Here are some of the reasons why you should be cleaning your boat docks:
To Avoid Safety Hazards
As you use your boat, stepping in and out of it will mean you are bringing dirt to the dock. This can develop deposits like mold, algae, and mildew on the wood of the docks. These contaminants are not altogether harmful to the human skin, provided you thoroughly wash your feet afterward, but they can be a safety hazard. These substances can cause slipping and tripping that can result in bodily damage for people. Such safety hazards can cause a lot of damage to your health and certainly, others too which can be a liability for you.
Dock Appearance
If you own a personal dock at the back of your lake-view house with an expensive boat, then you would definitely want it to look visually appealing and aesthetic. A clean boat dock offers a clean and better appearance to anyone who visits it. This is also very important to retain the value of your property in case you need to sell it in the future. Boats require heavy maintenance and so do the things that come along with it.
It Saves Time & Money
Mildew, mold, and algae are some things that are regularly formed on wooden boat docks. A floating dock is able to attract more such deposits hence, it needs to be cleaned that often as well. If you’re keeping a check on your boat dock’s appearance then you will be spending lesser money and time on it, however, if you let it form for a couple of weeks or months, then it can cost a lot when the time comes to clean them.
How to Clean Your Boat Dock?
Dock maintenance is an important aspect of owning a boat. You need to keep your boat docks clean and free of dirt and any sort of harmful deposits. A pressure washer is an effective and cheap method of cleaning your boat docks. When you use the pressure wash technique, you are able to get rid of any and all residues. Dock-cleaning products can be used to remove deep substances from the lumber.
Pre-Inspection
Before you get started with pressure washing your boat docks, conduct thorough pre-inspections to ensure there is no such damage that can be made worse because of the high-pressure water. If there is any chipped wood or nails sticking out, then they need to be addressed before the cleaning procedure begins.
Pre-inspection can also let you know what kind of pressure washing technique you should be using. If it has been weeks since your last wash then you will probably have to use intense techniques involving wood treatment detergents. However, if you have been practicing regular cleaning, then you can opt for an easier and simpler cleaning method. So, pre-inspection also helps you identify the methods you should be using for cleaning docks.
Prefer Harmless Cleaning Solutions Over Others
The first thing you’ll want to consider is what decking material your dock is made from. If you haven’t built your dock yet, now is a good time to consider the amount of maintenance you’re willing to put into it. Pressure-treated wood is the most cost-effective material for a dock, but it’s also the most work. You can help ensure your pressure-treated dock lasts longer by choosing premium kiln-dried wood that is certified “Marine Grade”.
When your pre-inspection is done, you should use an eco-friendly cleaning solution to clean your boat docks. Pressure-treated lumber already gets a lot of beating from such high pressures of water. It is only safe to use detergents and cleaning solutions that do not harm the wood. The results of using such harmful solutions can completely damage the wood which you will have to replace and that is even more costly.
Use a Scrubber
Once you have applied the cleaning solution to your dock wood, it’s time for it to be thoroughly scrubbed to remove all stains and components. This job can be done by a number of people to save time.
When the scrubbing is done, all you need to do is use the pressure washer once again and get rid of the cleaning solution because letting it sit on the wood is not good for it as well. Thorough cleaning of the detergents is an important step because as much as it helps remove the stains from the wood, it can also damage it if left there for long hours.
Apply Weather Proofing Solutions
Now your boat dock is nice and clean. All you need to do now is to apply a weather-proofing substance on the wood so its life can be enhanced. This is a very important step because boating docks are always in contact with water and can come across any materials that can damage the wood.
Since hardwoods are so dense, they’re highly resistant to water and bugs, making them easier to care for in some ways. Composite Decking: Made from a combination of wood, natural fibers, and plastics, composite decking is nearly seen as moisture and insect-resistant. Using this kind of wood can be a good idea for your boat docks.
Commonly Asked Questions
Here are some commonly asked questions by boat owners regarding the
Why it’s Important to Keep Your Boat Dock in Good Condition?
Many boat owners care for their vessels and sometimes go to extraordinary lengths to keep them in good condition. Similar care is required for docks. In some cases, docks without proper maintenance can become inefficient in the worst of circumstances. Nobody wants to be left stranded on an unclean boat dock when friends, family, and neighbors go fishing. There should always be frequent cleans. A dirt dock isn’t attractive and can cause slipping and falling danger to people using it.
Is Pressure Washing Safe For Your Boat Dock?
With time docks could become overgrown and have a number of contaminants that could affect the finish of docks or cause slip hazards. You can keep the boat clean by regularly vacuuming it. It is advisable to wash the permanent dock once a year, but the cost depends on how dirty a dock is. When you have float docks in storage during the winter, wash requirements decrease. The wooden dock surface will likely get damaged resulting from the solar wind, and water over time. Regular refinishing will help prevent warps.
Conclusion
You will need an amount of upkeep to maintain the maximum value for money from your lakefront property and your docking station. This is about ensuring your system stays healthy for years to come. While you can maintain the dock yourself, you should find a professional dock service option a good alternative too. Then you should be observant of the condition of the dock and ensure that it is maintained for the rest of summer and beyond.
FootHills Dock & Lift Repair offers a variety of boat and boat lift maintenance services. With the winter season approaching, you can rely on our services as we can effectively help you winterize your boat. We guarantee that your boat will retain its original condition after the season ends. We also provide lift removal, dock resurfacing, boat and dock maintenance, dock cleaning, and others. Contact us today and book an appointment!
