mooring a boat to a wooden dock

Maintenance Tips for Wooden Docks

Wooden decks and docks are a necessity for individuals living on the water in West Palm Beach. Although these structures make life on the water much more convenient and enjoyable, they do require maintenance from time to time. We provide some helpful tips on maintaining your wooden dock or deck.

Protect the Surface

Apply a sealant on the surface of your dock or deck to make it water-resistant. Low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) sealants are ideal because they do not contain oils or petrochemicals that can pollute natural water sources. That way, you can protect your structure without having to worry about harming the ecosystem.

Clean Your Dock/Deck

There are some great ways to clean your deck or dock that are environmentally safe as well. For example, a 3-to-1 blend of olive oil and white vinegar will effectively clean stains and mineral salts that appear on your wood boat dock. To clean steel and aluminum attachments on your boat dock, including ladders, try using baking soda.

Inspect the Structure

At the beginning and end of every season, it’s important to inspect the structure of decks and docks in West Palm Beach. If the wood slats are splintered, rotted, or cracked, they will need to be replaced. You’ll also want to replace any rusted and corroded metal fasteners. If the job is a bit much for you to handle, you’ll want to leave it to an experienced contractor such as Vogell Marine Inc.