Is the PolyDock surface slippery when it gets wet?
The PolyDock floating dock deck surface features a herringbone brick pattern with a shot-peen finish to provide a slip-resistant deck surface, even when wet. In addition to the shot peen finish, the spaces between the brick pattern of the PolyDock deck surface are approximately 3/8” wide and 1/2” deep. These spaces allow water to drain from the deck surface, and act to add additional structure to increase the strength of the walking surface. Finally, the “kiss-offs” that are molded into each dock section to fuse the decking surface with the internal float structure create an incredibly firm walking surface to help keep a sure-footed feeling in wet or dry conditions.
How are PolyDock floating dock systems anchored?
PolyDock offers a wide range of anchoring options to suit nearly any type of waterfront. So whether you are anchoring your PolyDock floating dock in a shallow lake or pond, a deep reservoir, or a river flowage, you’ll have the proper anchorage options available. Your local PolyDock dealer or distributor will be a great resource when it comes to anchoring options for you PolyDock system because they are likely to be very familiar with the local lakes and rivers and will know what works best for your application. Depending on your location and waterfront, pipe brackets and pipes, pile hoops, stiff arms, or deadweights may be most appropriate, and all of these anchorage options are available from PolyDock Products (although PolyDock products does not offer any deadweights, or anchorage cables, ropes, or chains). To learn more about anchoring options, check out the blog posts regarding anchoring PolyDock.
What kind of maintenance is required with a PolyDock floating dock system?
Most PolyDock floating dock systems require very minimal maintenance. Washing with soap and water will keep the dock looking like new, year after year, and regular inspection and tightening of the connectors and anchorage will give you years of worry-free ownership.
Does PolyDock utilize any Ultraviolet Radiation (UV) inhibitors to protect the product from exposure to the summer sun?
The light tan color of PolyDock’s resin is a natural defense against color fading, or in technical terms, photodegradation because the lighter color reflects more of the harmful UV rays than darker colors do. Additionally, PolyDock uses a UV-8 inhibitor in the dock section resins. UV inhibitors range from UV-1 (lowest protection) to UV-8 (most protection). The combination of passive UV protection (light tan color) and active UV protection (use of UV-8 inhibitors) provides enough UV protection to make PolyDock Products a durable, dependable floating dock choice for your residential, commercial, or municipal dock project.
Will PolyDock get hot in the summertime?
In general, PolyDock will be no warmer than any other dock surface during the hot summer months. PolyDock’s tan resin is light enough in coloration to keep the dock sections relatively cool in the hot summer months. The 3/8” wide by 1/2” deep gaps between the “bricks” in the herringbone surface pattern allow for airflow to pass over the surface of the dock and in between each “brick” to help keep the surface of the dock cool.
Are the PolyDock floating dock sections foam-filled?
No. Each PolyDock modular floating dock section consists of a single cavity, hollow, non-foam-filled float structure that consists of an integrated deck surface and flotation. Recessed areas or “chambers” underneath the dock section trap air to provide additional flotation capacity and create suction between the bottom of the PolyDock section and the surface of the water to create a safe, stable floating dock system. Additionally, PolyDock floating dock sections feature “kiss-offs” that fuse the underside of the dock section surface to the top of the interior to create one of the firmest feeling modular floating dock surfaces in the industry.
What tools are required to assemble and install my PolyDock?
The PolyDock Products Installation Instructions Booklet is a great resource for anyone that is assembling or installing a PolyDock floating dock system and we recommend that you read it completely before undertaking an assembly or installation. No special tools are required, and general basic hand tools like screwdrivers and wrenches are all that are required for assembly. See page 4 of the PolyDock Products Installation Instructions Booklet for more information.
Will the floating dock sections damage the finish on my boat, pontoon, or personal watercraft?
PolyDock is rotationally molded and manufactured with LLDPE (Linear Low-Density Polyethylene). As a general rule, and provided the watercraft doesn’t impact the dock sections the LLDPE by itself should not damage the finish on your watercraft. PolyDock Products does offer a wide range of accessories like cleats and dock bumpers to help moor your watercraft alongside your floating dock and protect both your dock and your watercraft.
How do I get from my shoreline to my PolyDock floating dock system?
PolyDock offers a wide range of ramps and gangways to make the transition between your shoreline and your floating dock easy. Both ramps and gangways offer your choice of either cedar decking, aluminum decking, or our Flow-Through style of plastic decking. Ramp and gangway hinges make attaching your ramp or gangway to the shore, or to the floating dock, or to both, super easy.
How much water does the PolyDock draft, what is the freeboard?
PolyDock floating dock sections draft approximately 1.5”. Each dock section is 16” tall, so the freeboard under dead load is approximately 14.5”. You’ll find this height to be optimal because it is low enough to allow you easy entrance into kayaks and canoes, and it allows easy access to Stand Up Paddle Boards / SUP’s. Plus, PolyDock is just tall enough to help keep the surface of the dock dry under moderate wind or wave action. Less freeboard will provide less wind and wave spray protection, and more freeboard can make accessing your watercraft more challenging, so you get the optimum amount of freeboard with a PolyDock floating dock system.
Is PolyDock an environmentally friendly dock system?
Sure! PolyDock floating dock systems are designed to be incredibly durable, require minimal maintenance, and are rotationally molded from Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) so they will not rot or corrode, or release any paint or chemicals into the environment. Because PolyDock sections are not foam-filled, there is no threat of polystyrene beads escaping from the dock sections into the water and creating a mess.
What about PolyDock installation, can I do it myself?
Floating dock systems similar to PolyDock have been around since the early to mid-1990s, which is a great testament to the durability, and usability, of modular plastic floating dock systems. We started manufacturing the PolyDock floating dock system in 1998, and many of the first sections that we manufactured then, are still in service today. Some of the first sections to come off of the production line are still in use year-round near Fergus Falls, Minnesota.
What happens if a dock system is punctured, will it sink?
The chances of puncturing a PolyDock section under normal use are very unlikely. The recessed areas or “chambers” on the underside of the dock section provide enough buoyancy to allow the dock to continue to float in the unlikely event that the dock section was punctured or compromised. Also, most residential, commercial or municipal floating dock layouts feature more than one dock section. In the unlikely event that one dock section was compromised enough to take on water, the recessed areas under the compromised dock section as well as the other non-compromised dock sections would prevent any sinking of the compromised section. PolyDock features an enhanced structural design that eliminates the need to foam fill our dock sections. We rely on the integrity of our design to provide the rigidity and structural bracing required to create a safe, stable modular floating dock, with an incredibly firm deck surface. Foam filling would add weight to the dock system which would cause the dock system to draft more water. Some foam-filled floating dock systems cannot be left in the water or frozen into the ice in cold weather climates because of the additional weight that foam filling adds. Plus, if a foam-filled dock system is damaged, the foam filling can escape and create a negative impact on the environment.
If the dock section is damaged, what should I do?
The chances of puncturing or damaging a PolyDock floating dock section under normal use is very unlikely. PolyDock features an optimal nominal wall thickness of .250 inches. This specification provides the optimal balance between durability and weight. Too thick and the dock becomes cumbersome and heavy, too thin and the dock loses its durability. It is very unlikely that a PolyDock section would develop a leak under normal conditions. Typically, a crack or puncture will only occur due to accidents on land during storage or transport, or by severe impacts from watercraft. While leaks are very unlikely under normal circumstances, should one ever develop, it is a very simple process to drain any water from the dock sections and repair or patch the damaged area by melting resin and plugging/spreading it over the damaged area.
Can I leave my PolyDock in for the winter?
PolyDock sections are not affected by ice and extreme cold temperatures. Generally speaking, each section only drafts about 1.5″ to 2.0” of water provided there is nothing stored on the dock and that snow hasn’t been allowed to accumulate on the dock prior to freeze in. This means that any ice pressure will typically force the dock section upward, not inward, and in this way, ice and extremely cold temperatures will not harm your PolyDock system. If your location is affected by ice pressure ridges or ice movement, it is recommended that you remove the pipes or pilings so that they will not be bent by the force of the pressure or movement. Should pipes or piles need to be removed, it is also recommended that you tie your dock system to a sturdy location on the shore, with enough slack in the tie line to allow for some movement. Due to all of the variables that occur in each region and on each body of water, allowing your PolyDock system to remain in the water during freeze-up is a decision that only you can make, and any damage that occurs as a result of doing so is not covered under the terms and conditions of the PolyDock limited warranty.
Why does PolyDock feel so stable to walk on compared to other floating docks?
Floating docks will always have a bit more movement than standing, wheel-in, or crib-style docks. That’s what makes floating docks so versatile. Floating docks like PolyDock can automatically adjust to changing water depths, and in order to allow this, they must be able to move freely in a vertical manner. This requires just enough “slack” to prevent binding as the floating dock adjusts up and down to the changing water levels. This “slack” creates the floating sensation that you get when you walk on a floating dock system. PolyDock sections are connected using composite connectors that span the full length or width of their connection location. The secret to PolyDock’s strength and stability waves is that these connectors allow the entire dock system to act in unison to reduce individual dock section movement due to waves. When you walk on a PolyDock floating dock system you’ll notice that the entire dock layout feels very firm and rigid. This rigidity creates PolyDock’s superior stability even in waves.
What is the PolyDock Products Warranty?
PolyDock Products offers one of the best warranties in the industry. To learn more about the PolyDock Products warranty, please visit https://polydockproducts.com/resources/warranty/
