Don't Forget Bulkhead Repair & Dock Maintenance

​Pier Maintenance:

Like all household chores, following pier building and bulkhead construction, you need to have a plan in place to check for ongoing maintenance and dock repairs. Repairs needed for a pier are like a tooth ache. If may not seem like a big problem at the time, but if not taken care of it, can become a huge pain. For example, if you have a loose dock piling at the end of your pier, it’s an easy fix, but if the pile is not taken care of, it can crack and break off the pier causing the structure to collapse. Checking the dock pilings regularly is an easy way to make sure your structure is sturdy and safe for others.

Fun Fact:
Did you realize that the British were the first documented in the 1800s’s to have undertaken pier construction for something other than trade? In fact, the original piers constructed include Ryde Pier, circa 1814. Trinity Chain Pier was another pier built in Leith about seven years later, and in 1823, construction on Brighton Chain Pier was complete. There is only one of these fishing piers still standing.
 

​Bulk Head Maintenance:

Make sure when getting a bulkhead inspection you ask the right questions. Sometimes, companies will tell you that new bulkhead installation is needed when actually bulkhead repairs can be done. We do a lot of repair work because new installation is not always needed and can be very costly. The cost of a repair versus the cost of new installation of a bulkhead is substantially high, rising the cost about 20%. Having a collapsing bulkhead is not only unsafe for others but it can cause the land to start eroding. Bulkhead repairs should be at the top of the outside house hold chores.​

​Fun Fact:
No surprise that in Old Norse, the word bulk actually means "cargo". In fact, in 15th century Europe, what would those contracted to do bulkhead construction quickly learned that ship walls would prevent precious cargo from moving around during the voyage. Accordingly, in construction of ships, any upright panel was referred to as a "head". Similarly, when walls were constructed alongside those “heads”, they were referred to as ship bulkheads.  Amazingly, the same term, bulkhead, still applies.

Dock Maintenance:

If your dock is not maintained on a regular basis, old and poorly maintained pilings and the dock itself will significantly increase in repair cost. It’s ideal to get the dock checked yearly. Rotting deck boards splitting down the middle also need to be replaced immediately. It is easy to replace one board at a time then to have to replace the whole dock. A few signs that the dock maintenance is required include rickety stringers, wobbly and unstable piles and protruding pier decking. Do not ignore these signs as just every day wear and tear. Give us a call and we will gladly come out and inspect the dock.
​Dock Maintenance Checklist:

1.       Inspect each dock piling
2.       Inspect the toe guards on a dock
3.       Inspect the water seal
4.       Tighten all dock nuts and bolts
5.       If wired, inspect the outlets and the electrical connections
6.       Inspect each deck board
7.       Inspect the bumpers on the bulkhead and dock
 
Fun Fact:
Did you know that dock is a synonym for the words pier and wharf? No surprise there. Historically, a dock was meant to represent anything in the water that people could stand on. Nowadays, the word pier is generally used to denote to manufacturing or commercial structures. Verbiage also changes depending on your location. Along the gulf coast, such as Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, the word dock is most frequently used. Whereas, in the north, or along the east coast, pier is common nomenclature. Whichever terms you’re using to describe your dock, pier, wharf, or floating structure, it’s important that you keep it safe, sturdy and reliable.

Deep South Marine Restoration is in the business of keeping you, your patrons and your families safe. This is why we offer free dock inspections from Texas to Florida. Don’t worry if your city isn’t listed below, if you’re along the gulf coast, reach out to us, and we’ll check your dock pilings out too!

Below is a list of the many cities we provide services to throughout the Gulf Coast. It’s not an exclusive list, so if you’re not listed, be sure to give a call for your free dock piling inspection. From Texas to Florida, Deep South is your expert marine contractor.

New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Metairie, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Bossier City, Kenner, Monroe, Alexandria, Houma, Marrero, New Iberia, Laplace, Prairieville, Central, Slidell, Terrytown, Ruston, Harvey, Bayou Cane, Hammond, Sulphur, Chalmette, Shenandoah, Natchitoches, Gretna, Opelousas, Zachary, Estelle, Thibodaux, Pineville, River Ridge, Baker, Belle Chasse, Crowley, West Monroe, Minden, Bayou Blue, Moss Bluff, Abbeville, Luling, Mandeville, Woodmere, Youngsville, Bogalusa, Morgan City, Claiborne, Broussard, Destrehan, Jefferson, Timberlane, DeRidder, Bastrop, Gonzales, Gardere, Eunice, Jennings, Denham Springs, Reserve and Raceland, Covington, Waggaman, Fort Polk South, Merrydale, Harahan, St. Rose, Scott, Carencro, Oak Hills Place, Westwego, Breaux Bridge, Prien, Rayne, Galliano, Donaldsonville, Lacombe, Oakdale, Schriever, Eden Isle and Franklin, Ville Platte, Village St. George, Old Jefferson, Bridge City, St. Gabriel, Ponchatoula, Larose, Tallulah, Plaquemine, Red Chute, Inniswold, Meraux, Leesville, Walker, St. Martinville and Patterson, Violet, Brownfields, Marksville, Jeanerette, Cut Off, Monticello, Chackbay, Avondale, Grambling, Gray, Port Allen, Springhill, Bayou Vista, Carlyss, Swartz, Mansfield, Berwick, Winnsboro, Elmwood, New Roads, Kaplan, Westlake, Addis, Jonesboro, Winnfield, Arabi and Church Point, Eastwood, Amite City, Brownsville, Vidalia, Bunkie, Ball, Farmerville, Jackson, Franklinton, Lake Providence, Bawcomville, Rayville, Vivian, South Vacherie, Richwood, Gramercy, Jena, Ferriday, Lutcher, Vinton, Hahnville, Haughton, Welsh, Chauvin, Iowa, Greenwood, Westminster, Mamou, DeQuincy, Norco, Milton, Homer, Sunset, Blanchard, Natalbany and Delhi, Arcadia, Pierre Part, Many, Brusly, Lake Arthur, Fort Polk North, Bayou Gauche, Lockport, Pearl River, Garyville, Abita Springs, New Llano, Sterlington, Kinder, Boutte, Bourg, Baldwin, Kentwood, Poydras, Lafourche Crossing, Amelia, Erwinville, Mathews, North Vacherie, Jonesville and Ossun, Haynesville, Edgard, Grand Point, Port Barre, Simmesport, Erath, Port Sulphur and Stonewall, Golden Meadow, Benton, Labadieville, Montz, Zwolle and Jean Lafitte, Deville, Cottonport, Charenton, Livingston, Minorca and Delcambre, Coushatta, White Castle, Basile, Independence, Duson, Des Allemands, Oberlin, Henderson, St. Francisville, Oak Grove, Bernice, Rosepine, Midway, Presquille, Pine Prairie, Lakeshore, Sorrento, Belle Rose, Clinton, Logansport, Colfax, Iota, Vienna Bend, New Sarpy, Montegut, Ringgold, Livonia, Grand Isle, Bayou Country Club, Gueydan and Paradis, Olla, Mansura, Bayou L'Ourse, Ama, Glenmora, Urania, Lawtell, Killian, Banks Springs, Hackberry, Lafitte, Maurice, Paulina, Cade, Krotz Springs and Roseland, Lecompte, Sibley, Paincourtville, French Settlement, Elton, Cullen, Dulac, Merryville, Catahoula, Albany, Leonville, Empire, Woodworth, Lockport Heights and Newellton, Arnaudville, Maringouin, Ventress and Union, St. Joseph, Lakeview, Melville, Campti, Cecilia, Welcome, Clarks, Kraemer and Oil City, Dubach and Boyce, Cotton Valley, Plain Dealing, Slaughter, Estherwood, Washington, Choudrant, Gibsland, Start, Grand Coteau, St. James, Wisner, Barataria, Fordoche and Moreauville, Supreme, Boothville, Loreauville, Longville, Lemannville, Fifth Ward, Bordelonville, Sarepta, Buras, Simsboro, Sorrel and Anacoco, Epps, Madisonville, Tangipahoa, Morse, Wallace, Forest Hill and Choctaw, Doyline, Crescent, Folsom, Mooringsport, Hessmer, Rosedale, Marion, Belmont, Port Vincent, Watson, Tickfaw, Calhoun, Montgomery, Pleasant Hill, Lydia, Clayton and Reddell, Greensburg, Parks, Prospect, Ridgecrest, Mermentau, Starks, Mangham, Napoleonville, Grosse Tete, Florien, Convent, Simpson, Waterproof, Provencal and Cheneyville, Siracusaville, Morganza, Mer Rouge, Natchez, Killona, Wilson, Pitkin, Gilbert and Junction City, Martin, Frierson, Elizabeth, Singer, Chatham, Richmond, Monterey, Grayson, Hayes, Sicily Island, Springfield, St. Maurice, Cankton, Clarence, Sun, Pollock, Oretta, Hornbeck and Gillis, Bayou Goula, Hodge, Turkey Creek, Hester, Converse, Dry Prong, Lacassine, Goldonna, Fort Jesup, Kilbourne, Glencoe, Vienna, Tullos, Columbia, North Hodge, Fenton, Chataignier, Egan, South Mansfield and Spokane, Cameron, Forest, Harrisonburg, Pleasure Bend, Varnado, Georgetown, Dodson, Roanoke, Norwood, Hosston, Point Place, Evergreen, Center Point, Keachi, Hall Summit, East Hodge, Collinston, Saline, Bonita, Rodessa, Ashland, Dixie Inn, and Dubberly, Romeville, Lucky, Delta, Belcher, Noble, Montpelier, Baskin and Castor, Angie and Grand Cane, Plaucheville, Athens, Heflin, Reeves, Wallace Ridge, Fisher, Calvin, Venice, Joyce and Ida, Bienville and Creola, Edgefield, McNary, Rock Hill, Bayou Corne, Shongaloo, Quitman, Lisbon, Robeline, Palmetto, Gilliam, Longstreet, Atlanta, Pioneer, Eros, Downsville, Spearsville and Oak Ridge, Jamestown, Powhatan, Branch, Pointe a la Hache, Lillie, Moonshine, Sikes, Stanley, Bryceland, Triumph, Jordan Hill, Mount Lebanon, Taft, Mound, Sugartown