The spring season will begin in just a few short months, and lakes will slowly thaw. You see an ice island in the lake that slowly moves towards the shore. Strong winds break the mass and split the ice blocks, giving them a dangerous edge. The blocks look quite big, and it seems like they could cause a lot of damage. When winter came, you had no idea something like this would happen, which is why you didn’t remove your floating dock. When you checked on it now, you saw the ice blocks crashing against the dock, splintering the wood. Part of the dock broke away and sank underwater. The damage was irreparable.
Hence, you have to remove your dock in winter!
Most people ask why remove the dock when you can protect it? If you have got a foam floating dock, the ice blocks won’t cause any damage to it because the dock will safely remain above water. However, if the dock is made of wood, aluminum, or pipes, it must be removed.
It might feel like a lot of work when you have just installed your dock, but the good news is that since a floating dock can be unlinked, you won’t struggle with the boards.
Before you jump up to get started, consider the following:
Why Do I Need to Remove My Floating Dock?
The answer to this location lies in your dock’s location. For example, if you live in Vancouver, where the temperature in the winter is warm, you don’t need to take any precautions. However, if you live in Ontario, where the temperature can drop below -58°C or -72°F, you need to remove your dock.
So, how does one remove floating docks?
Well, the answer is quite simple: All you need to do is unfasten the link and store the boards upside down to avoid any discoloration. Don’t forget to pull the pipes and frames from the water and store them alongside the boards.
What If I Have a Permanent Dock?
A standard dock can’t be removed because it is installed with steel, treated wood, or concrete posts. If you have a crib dock, the underwater construction has heavy rocks piled in one place to keep the dock steady. In both cases, moving the dock would mean deconstructing it.
So, what can be done?
One of the best ways to keep the ice blocks away from the dock is using an electric de-icing tool. It will keep the water moving and stop ice from forming near your dock. This tool will cost you around $800 to $1,000.
And this is how you protect your permanent and floating dock in winter! If your dock is made from a strong material such as marine-grade aluminum or polyethylene, the structure might take the damage and still stay standing. So, why take the risk.
If you are looking for plastic docs in Northwest Ontario, visit the website Nor Col EZ Dock. The company offers different types of docks as well as docking accessories, such as gangways, anchors, railing, etc. For more information, call at (800) 654-8168
