Maintenance Tips for Longevity: Caring for Your Modular Floating Dock System

Why is regular maintenance important for a modular floating dock system?

Regular maintenance on your modular floating dock system is a way to prevent many major costly repairs down the road.

Regular maintenance means looking at those small details that might get overlooked on an ordinary day when you’re spending time on the water. Noticing small details, making corrections, and fixing any issues can help you get into the habit of fixing things right away when they are amiss. 

The more little things you fix, the less likely they are to become or contribute to bigger problems that can threaten your safety or become very expensive. Save time, money, and heartache by doing the regular maintenance needed to prevent small problems from becoming big disasters.

How often should I clean my modular floating dock system?

Cleaning your dock can be an aesthetic preference, and it can also make issues easier to spot. This is especially important for wooden docks—checking for splinters, mold, mildew, and loose screws is an important part of regular inspections. 

It also feels great to walk on a clean deck. Your modular floating dock system probably doesn’t need anything more than a regular cleaning regime—a gentle, environmentally friendly soap, fresh water, and clearing off any debris is all that most floating dock systems really need. Cleaning can be even easier with a power washer, especially for any tenacious dirt spots.

If you’re a seasonal boater who removes their modular floating dock system from the water when the weather turns cold, seasonal cleaning should be on your to-do list. As you’re putting your system away for the winter, clean everything before moving it into storage and noting what needs repairing or replacing for next year. It’ll be ready to go for next year.

What are the recommended maintenance tasks for a modular floating dock system?

Your specific floating dock maintenance tasks will depend on the quality of your system and the materials it’s made of. PolyDock modular floating dock systems are made of rotationally molded polyethylene, which is highly resistant to damage, easy to clean, and doesn’t have too many extra components to keep track of. This means the entire system is low maintenance. With PolyDock components, you could easily get away with the occasional power wash and dock sections and accessories check.

These are some of the items that we recommend dock system owners regularly check when performing floating dock maintenance. Keep in mind that these won’t apply to every dock system or every waterfront.

• Check wooden boards to see if they’re loose, moldy, dried, splintered, weakened, or in need of repair, replacement, or sealant
• Flush nails and screws with the surface
• Properly space and secure sections 
• Properly secure and fasten all attachments
• Ensure cleats and pilings are in good condition
• Make sure electrical sources and supplies are working and in good repair
• Store hardware and accessories properly and ensure they’re in good shape
• Sweep debris and ensure tripping hazards are eliminated from the dock surface 
• Look for cracks, rust, etching, discoloration, or other visible signs of damage
• Update safety supplies and kits and ensure they’re accessible

How do I take care of my floating dock?

Taking care of your floating dock platform depends on the dock type and quality. No matter what kind of floating dock system you have, though, taking care of it will involve similar steps.

Take care of your materials. For metal components, this means checking for rust and corrosion, especially if you’re in saltwater areas that are prone to being harsh on metals. For wooden components, that means sanding and staining where appropriate and checking wooden panels for damage. 

Cleaning your dock is an important part of its care. Letting material build up in different areas of your dock could lead to more issues down the line. Mildew, soil, and mud deposits all need to be cleaned. Loose dirt and debris can be brushed off of your dock surface with a broom. You can also use a power washer to take care of any stubborn dirt or mud spots. Wooden dock sections are prone to mildew and will require removal and treatment of any small areas to keep these spots from spreading or becoming larger issues.

Protect your dock system as well as the environment. Use gentle, environmentally friendly cleaning products when cleaning anything on the water. The products you use to clean your floating dock system, boat, and other waterfront features can end up in the water, so minimize your environmental impact where possible.

Invest in the right dock accessories to take care of your floating dock system. Canopy covers can help protect your dock system’s surface from the elements and preserve the surface of your decking longer. Bumpers and guides will minimize the impact of collisions, which will protect both your dock system and your boat in the long run.

Taking care of your modular floating dock system can also mean buying a high-quality one from the start. If you’ve wondered, “Where can I buy boat docks near me,” consider looking into a PolyDock dealer in your area. 

Our high-quality, low-maintenance boat dock systems are a great fit for residential and commercial applications alike. Our selection of accessories and options can create the truly customized, perfect waterfront system for you.