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From dock repairs and piling protection to how to safe near the water, Deep South has the insight and expertise you need.

How much does it cost to repair a boat dock?

2/6/2017

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florida dock repairs
​A dock is an important addition and asset to any waterfront property or camp. Apart from providing necessary access for fishing, swimming, boating, or entertainment, it adds value to your property. However, for you to continue enjoying your waterfront deck, you must ensure it is in a good state of repair. 

Typically, the cost of repairing a dock will depend on factors such as the nature of the damage, the construction materials used, and style. Your dock repair contractor will first evaluate the features and location of your dock as part of the maintenance and repair cost assessment. 

  • Water Dock Location - Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, or Texas?
    The reason why dock location affects the planning and execution of repairs is that accessibility to a water body determines the materials, equipment, and scheduling needed for the job. Repairs done on lake docks are the most straightforward and usually cost less than those on busy waterways. However, the area's climatic conditions may also affect the project. Other aspects such as river currents, water depths, and the anchoring style may pose additional challenges to marine contractors and impact the cost of waterfront construction.  Ocean dock repair and maintenance projects also have their fair share of challenges such as the effects of tides and other shore features. 

  • Dock Construction Style
    It the dock is secured in place with piers or pilings, it is more conducive for making repairs. Where necessary, some docks can be moved to dry land to simplify the construction process. This mobility and flexibility tend to lower the repair rates for portable docks and standing docks. Suspended docks, on the other hand, can pose an accessibility challenge to contractors - especially if inexperienced - thereby requiring specialized equipment which of course, has an impact on price.

florida fishing dock repair
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  • Damaged Docks & Marine Structure Repairs
    Some components of your fishing dock or waterfront pier will deteriorate over time due to frequent exposure to the aquatic environment as well as the effects of other elements and frequency of usage. As pointed out above, the location, type, and style of your dock will determine the ease or difficulty of doing the repairs. The cost to repair a dock’s foundation and support pilings will fluctuate depending on the extent of the damage. And, replacing or repairing floats typically have less costs associated with them while repairing metal pipes, posts, and other sub-structural components increase your repair investment. 
waterfront dock repairs
  • Repairing Dock Surfaces
    Compared to supports and framing, dock accessories are much easier to access. That being said, the repair expenses will be determined by the skills required, the complexity of the project, and the required materials. Where your deck surfaces are experiencing dry rot, some of the decking boards should be at least be replaced because this can be a hazard for people walking on your dock. When planning for these repairs, you should be prepared to invest enough to cover basic repair work. In case you want additional services such as finishing or sealing of your deck wood surface, you may need to add a few more dollars to the price

    The effectiveness of your dock’s bumpers or vinyl rub rails also depends on their degree of wear or damage. Where the rails are damaged and ineffective, we do recommend having them repaired. If you require convenience on your dock, the addition of features like boat lifts can give you much utility. Putting these in place requires special parts and skills. If lifts are installed at the time of repair, you can expect to spend less than if a contractor comes back later. 
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  • Minimizing the Frequency of Repairs
    Having a regular maintenance schedule can significantly reduce the necessity and frequency of costly repairs. There are several ways of maintaining your dock and having a service contract with a reliable dock repair company will go a long way in helping you minimize your repairs.  One of the ways you can maintain your dock is by regularly sealing the wood. This process involves the application of a protective coating which serves to reduce weather damage. The cost of this procedure varies depending on the sealant used.

    Building your waterfront deck or repairing it using treated lumber is a good decision and investment. While treated lumber costs more, it will serve you for longer thereby helping you recoup your costs. To remove harmful substances including mildew, ensure your dock is pressure washed regularly in between sealant applications. The pressure washing exercise done by a professional may be charged at about $1 per square foot. 

    For the metallic parts, a regular check should be made to monitor their condition. Corrosion, spot rust, and other structural damages are best noticed through these regular checks. In between your checks, you may also realize that some moving parts such as hinges may be in need of lubrication that you can do it yourself. 

It is, therefore, necessary to budget for repair and maintenance exercises if you want your waterfront property to be safe and reliable. Never let this valuable asset deteriorate to the point of disrepair.  We will help you pinpoint areas of weakness by getting a free dock inspection.

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Importance of Boat Slip Maintenance

1/24/2017

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Gulf Coast Docks and Pilings take a beating over time thereby making them structurally weak. Also, because of the underwater conditions, dock bracing may be destroyed and eaten away by wood boring worms. In some circumstances, docks may be poorly designed or made with inferior materials, and this is a major contributor for the wasting away of this useful resources. 

The solution to the above problems is to have the docks and pilings strengthened and firmly supported. Various techniques are frequently used which can extend the lifespan and longevity of your boat slip. The following are possible solutions along with brief descriptions of what each method entails. 

Dock Piling Wraps

Years of wood boring by worms can significantly damage your dock pilings. When you identify the damage made by the wood borers, there are two options you can choose from to fix the problem. The first is pier replacement and the second is dock piling repair. Because of the costs involved and the implications of the first option, in most cases, it is advisable to settle for the second solution. 
During the pile wrapping process, the piles are thoroughly and completely cleaned. Any and all debris is scraped off. After that, an internal barrier is carefully wrapped around the pile and covered with a PVC jacket which stops water from accessing and penetrating the wood piling. These methods starve off any existing or remaining worms thereby preventing further damage to your piles. ​
florida dock repairs

Concrete Restores Old Pilings

When you are dealing with old or damaged pilings, concrete encapsulation is the best solution to implement due to its ability to restore and refurbish the pilings to a more serviceable state. It is a renovation process involving a complete feeling of the outer PVC jacket using a specially formulated concrete mix. The mixture then gradually slips into and fills out the cracks and empty spaces left by the boring worms. This process strengthens the piles thereby giving them another lease on life. 

Dock Cross Brace Protection

Cross bracing gives your boat slip superior rigidity and durability. With this method, a cross brace refers to a bar that goes from one pile to another while rising at an angle. On one side, it may be down close to the mud foot while on the other end it may rise to an approximately 30 to 45-degree angle. The beauty with cross bracing is that it provides accountability and structural integrity side to side between the piles on a section of the boat slip. It is a nice, sturdy solution that has been a trusted staple for many years.
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Boat Slip Dredging

When making an attempt to pull up to the dock, you may find yourself limited by water depth and tides. To sort out this problem, you will require boat slip dredging service. This service will give you deep water access by removing the sediment that has buildup. 
Most boat slip maintenance companies have modern dredging equipment which can easily be deployed from a location that minimizes damage to seawalls, docks, and the waterfront. 
During dredging, the material removed is pumped into containers which are usually sealed. Inside these containers, the sediments are allowed enough time to settle and separate from the water. Finally, the water is directed back to the dredged area and the sediments carried away for disposal. ​

Bulkhead Repair

orange beach dock repair
Bulkheads and seawalls play a strategic role in protecting your waterfront property from destruction and land erosion. When the structural rigidity of bulkheads becomes compromised, they need to be repaired. Replacing them is also another option, but it is quite an expensive process. 
Bulkheads are made of wood planks and are such vulnerable to wood borers. When repairing bulkheads that have a few holes, the work is a bit lighter because all you need is to dig down the plank to expose the hole and screw in a pressure treated board to cover the hole. 

In cases where the bulkhead has lots of holes, a technique known as capping is used. In this process, pressure treated planks are overlaid on the old planks. The last type of bulkhead repair is usually done in a scenario where a number of pilings have decayed. When this happens, the tie rods which hold the pilings together may rip through the wood. The best way out is to install a new bulkhead or seawall for protection.
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When doing bulkhead repairs, your contractor should use a variety of materials to bring out not just the protective aspect, but the aesthetic one as well. ​
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Plan for Building a Boathouse in 2017

12/28/2016

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​A boathouse should be just that – a place your boat can call home. Many people spend a fortune on a nice boat, only to store it in their driveway or front yard. A boathouse should offer as much protection as it does convenience, and when built the right way, may just last a lifetime.

Like with residential homes, boathouses can be built with plans, either original prints or stock plans. Just about anyone can build their own boathouse with a little practice, the right tools, and a little patience. And if you happen to need a little extra help, the team at Deep South Marine Restoration can do it all!  

Dock & Boathouse Construction

boathouse construction
Once you’ve found a functional plan for your boathouse, you can begin construction either yourself or with a dedicated company. Boathouses will sit on top of the dock, integrating it into either an existing dock space or requiring the dock to be built first.
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As is the case with any large-scale construction project, heavy machinery is going to be involved. The difference is, often times, these machines will be floating, such as barges with winch mounts, pile drivers, and more. There’s going to be a lot of moving parts and a lot of juggling schedules around, so be prepared; a simple boathouse can become complicated quickly.

What to Expect when Building a Dock

dock construction
A boathouse is going to be an extensive project, especially considering that the wood used in dock construction needs to be brand quality materials. There’s little to no room for reusing older wood materials, especially if they’ve already been submerged in the water. The crew with the barge should be scheduled first, as they’ll need to install the anchor poles first before any “real” construction can begin. By using pile drivers and ensuring the posts are set in place, the stage is set for the next phase.
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The dock comes next, forming a deck-like structure comprised of a series of wooden boards and planks that connect to the driven anchor poles. The frame is constructed first, followed by beams and walkways.

Building a Boathouse

When the dock is constructed, a large space will be left where the boathouse will be built. Now that there is a platform, the boathouse construction can begin. Start with anchor posts in the corners of where the boathouse will be constructed; the frame can take shape with these in place. The roof frame will be assembled, resting the weight on the surrounding anchor posts.

The roof should be the next step and can be completed with whichever roofing material is best for your job and budget. Many boathouse owners use a metal roof as the shingles can easily detach and wind up in the water. Corrugated steel roof panels, on the other hand, are durable, long-lasting, and require little maintenance to keep it in shape.

If your boathouse utilizes a boatlift, the I-beams will be placed before the rest of the boathouse is constructed. Using a drive shaft, the I-beams are secured in place so that they can lift the water out of the water or set it down into the water without moving the roof frame more than it has to.

The rest of the boathouse is built based on personal preferences. Many choose to forgo having  enclosed features or walls, especially if it’s being added to an existing dock. Having only the anchor beams gives your boathouse a simple appearance that still looks like a professionally-designed boathouse.
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Other owners will want an enclosed boathouse, especially if it has been built on private property. This way, storage options can be installed for lifejackets, fishing gear, and other boating accessories. This way, your boathouse can be more like a boat garage, with everything you need in one convenient location for your fun day out.

Tips to Remember during Dock Construction

In many communities, it may be illegal to build a new “wet” boathouse. This is due to a wet boathouse, be it on a lake, river, or another body of water, has at least part of the construction below the Ordinary High Water Mark, or OHWM. A wet boathouse will need an entirely separate certification, as well as certifications for maintaining, repairing, and reconstruction services.
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In many cases, a wet boathouse is for commercial use only; there may be instances where a residential or private use wet boathouse will be allowed, but that may be a tough uphill battle for you. Even if you’ve had your heart set on having a wet boathouse, you’ll probably have to settle for a dry boathouse instead. Often, you’re better off, as rising water levels can and will do a lot of damage. 
building a boathouse
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Winter Makeover for Your Boat Dock

12/5/2016

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Just as you would regularly give your deck or patio a once-over, a dock can significantly benefit from a little TLC and winter prep.

​A quick power washing will remove any top surface contaminants like mold, mildew, salt, and other grime from seeping deeper into the wood. Once the dock's deck has been properly washed, a top coat of stain and/or paint can be used to seal it.  Even if you sealed your dock within the last few years, it never hurts to do it again, especially if there’s going to be a chance of a cold snap. The sudden change in temperature can cause premature weathering and rot, and every little bit helps to stretch your dock’s useful life.

Remove the Dock
Taking another page out of our northern neighbor’s playbook, if you have an easily removable dock, you may want to remove and store it for the winter. Many freshwater docks are designed with a series of removable pins, allowing storage in the colder seasons. While they may need to take their docks down by later autumn, you may be able to wait a smidge longer here in the Sunshine State. 

The bad news is, it’s going to take a little elbow grease, and may even take a few days to do. The good news? You’ll have peace of mind that you won’t need to replace your dock simply because it randomly dropped into the 30s last night. Piling docks are obviously best to be left alone. Down south, we don't have to worry about lakes freezing, so, chances are, you’ll be fine leaving your standing docks alone, albeit with a little extra maintenance come spring time.
 
Don’t Undo Hurricane Prep
What Gulf Coast states such as Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida lack in snow days, we just may make up with a late-striking hurricane. Yes, the hurricane season begins in summer, but you never know when you might have a hurricane in late November, or even in early December. If you have extra hurricane prep items, tools, and accessories, it’s best just to keep them in place during winter if possible. Realistically, no matter how good you’ve been, Santa probably won’t bring you a new boat. By ensuring your boat is well secured, either with a helical anchor or with a dock with tall pilings, you can rest assured knowing that your boat damage would be minimized, and more importantly, prevent your dock from sustaining problems as well. It’s all too common for boats to be tossed into their docks during hurricane season, and sometimes that lasts well into winter.

Use the Right Dock Product
It may seem obvious, but many dock owners, especially new ones, think that any wood sealant is sufficient. However, marine-specific sealants are ideal for protecting wood from salt water and from mold and mildew. Even with pressure treated wood, a marine sealant should be applied every six months to a year to keep it from weathering and splintering.
Hire Us For Your Needs
When you’ve exhausted all of your at-home options or aren’t sure where to begin, you can hire us. We’ll provide your dock and pilings with a free inspection and let you know the best way to preserve your dock all winter long. While we may not have experience with ice and snow, we’re the Gulf Coast’s best choice.

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  • Home
  • Piling & Dock Repair Services
    • Piling Wraps
    • Elevated Homes
    • Concrete Encapsulation
    • Dock Cross Brace Protection
    • Bulkhead Protection
    • Boats Slip & Boat House Construction
    • Boat Hull Cleaning
    • Dock Construction and Repair
    • Boat Slip Dredging
  • Dock Piling Projects
  • Why Choose Us
    • Areas We Serve >
      • Gulfort Dock Piling Repair
      • Slidell Dock Piling Repair
      • Grand Isle Dock Piling Repair
      • Myrtle Grove Dock Piling Repair
      • Orange Beach Marine Construction
    • Deep South Blog
  • Contact Us