8 Signs You Need to Repair Your Floating Dock

It’s pretty easy to install a floating dock, which is one of the reasons they’re so popular among waterfront properties. They’re also ideal for spots where water levels fluctuate. While they won’t typically last as long as fixed docks, regularly repairing dock floats and keeping up with maintenance could mean they’re still in action after a few decades. Staying on top of repairs also prevents your dock from becoming an accident waiting to happen.

So what are the signs that your floating dock needs repairing? Read on so you can be proactive and get the work done before it becomes dangerous or irreparable.

1. You Spot Rotting Wood

Increasingly, floating docks use durable, lightweight materials like aluminum. However, it’s not uncommon for the beams and boards of a floating dock to be made from treated lumber.

Keep an eye out for these wooden beams starting to rot and weaken, as this is a major safety concern. They need speedy substitution to protect the structural integrity of the dock. Once the problem spreads, replacement rather than lower-cost repairs will be inevitable.

2. There Is Serious Corrosion

Steel, as well as aluminum, is a common metal for floating dock construction. The constant contact with water means rust or corrosion can be a headache if you don't keep it in check. Spreading rust on steel will also eventually compromise the platform's structural integrity. Nipping this in the bud before it becomes widespread minimizes unsightly damage and safety issues. Small rust spots are easy to patch up, but extensive corrosion requires major repairs or dock replacement.

Aluminum might not rust the way steel does, but over time, it can calcify, also leading to critical corrosion.

3. Your Dock Has Cracks and Warps

The constant turbulence of choppy currents means your dock can take regular beatings. Watch out for your dock platform looking a little wonky or for visible splits on its surface or supports. Major cracks or bends in dock supports are safety issues as they could be a sign of imminent caving—not something to overlook.

Tip: Ideally, you don’t want boats motoring into your dock at high speeds, but it sometimes happens. Installing dock bumpers can absorb harsh thuds and help prevent premature cracking.

4. There Are Loose Deck Boards

Loose boards on your dock deck might not be a major structural worry, but you don’t want to trip or have a leg go right through a gap. Repairing these boards is one of those jobs you might be able to DIY with little to no cost. It might be as simple as hammering the loose board down. If the board is also cracking, warping, or rotting, replacing it is a better strategy.

5. You Feel Wobbly or Droopy Dock Sections

Some docks have fingers or other modular sections. Dock fingers attach and run perpendicular to the main dock. These narrow sections sit on either side of the boat when it moors, making it easier to embark, disembark, park, and attach the boat. If modular dock sections become wobbly or droopy, there might be some loose fittings. However, it could also be an indicator of a larger structural problem.

Problems with an individual section can lead to issues with navigating the boat into the dock, make it unsafe when walking around on it, or even do damage to the other dock sections.

6. You See Broken Cleats or Connection Points

Cleats are t-shaped devices typically made from wood or metal that you tie ropes to for secure boat mooring. If these become loose, it might be a simple job to replace the screws to save your boat from floating away or banging against the dock. However, always inspect the dock around the cleat. Sometimes when cleats or other connection points work loose like this, it can be because the wood on the board is rotting.

7. You Hear Strange Sounds

If you’re hearing peculiar rattling, creaking, or grinding noises over the sound of waves lapping, this can be a sign that something’s amiss. Maybe loose screws or rotting boards are causing things to rub or catch. If you can’t locate the issue, it would be worth getting out a professional local dock builder to see if they can identify any problems. 

8. Your Floating Dock Is a Relic

You might get 20 years out of a dock constructed primarily from wood or double that for a galvanized steel or aluminum construction. But, even with the best maintenance and regular repairs, your dock will eventually submit to its dotage. If you have to make more regular, costly repairs, investing in a new dock might be better. The average cost to build a new boat dock is $16,000, although small floating docks can be considerably less than other types of boat docks.