How To Maintain Your Boat Dock

August 18, 2016 by gibson Leave a Comment

Like any investment, whether your home or your boat, scheduling and completing routine maintenance keeps systems going. Indoors or outdoors, swapping out A/C filters or sealing your wooden dock, these efforts are worth the time to add years to these support systems; particularly when it comes to marine structures vulnerable to the elements.

For safety reasons, keep a watchful eye on outdoor docks. In Florida, the blazing sun can do surface damage, punishing winds and water can easily take care of the rest of the job!

Advances in docking materials include the flexibility and ease of installation afforded by PVC or plastic decks. There are a range of materials from which to choose; each with their own advantages and maintenance.

Composite or PVC Decking

Fabricated from a combination of wood fibers and plastic, these types of docks offer a nice versatility and are comparatively easy to clean. Composite decking includes elements like recycled inorganic materials combined with organic materials such as wood fibers.

PVC decking is typically made from a combination of polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene. The boards that will comprise the dock can be injection molded, rotationally molded, or extruded to tailor its build.

While their surface appears sleek and impermeable, PVC docks still cannot escape the mold/mildew that targets damp or shaded areas; these composite docks should still be cleaned with regularity.

How to Clean Vinyl Decking

A vinyl deck is both durable and affordable, making it common in many outdoor living spaces. To keep your vinyl deck attractive and inviting, it must be clean and residue-free. When cleaning the vinyl, you’ll want to use a natural cleaning solution that removes buildup without damaging the deck or any surrounding plants or soil. Oxygen bleach is a green cleaner that uses oxygen ions to neutralize stains and dirt.

Wooden Dock Power Washing Tips

At the other end of the spectrum, are docks constructed of wood. Classically beautiful, they integrate into surrounding landscape for that more organic feel. Their natural oils help protect them to an extent from insects and decay, but maintaining that “natural beauty” still requires sweat equity.

You’ll probably want to pressure wash annually, but we recommend consulting with a Florida dock professional first. We have seen homeowners inflict damage to their docks by setting their power washer to full blast and using the same type of attachment they would to clean concrete or siding.

Do not use pressure over 1200 – 1500 PSI or you may actually etch the wood
If the wood is a cedar or a pine, you will want to be more in the 500 – 600 PSI range
Don’t place the power wash tip too close — you probably want to be about a foot away
There are all kinds of nozzle attachments for pressure washers – use the fan tip for a less concentrated force

Do-it-yourself dock maintenance is achievable. If you have any questions about the proper techniques, contact Gibson Marine at (727) 942-3111 or fill out this form with your question!

How to Solve Common Dock and Deck Problems

March 4, 2016 by gibson Leave a Comment

We are Tampa Bay Marine Construction Specialists. We’ve earned that title because we love the outdoors and because we are committed to functional and beautiful seawalls, docks, and decks that are structurally safe and sound.

However, we can never dispute the satisfaction sweat equity provides to coastal dwellers! If you love the water and enjoy nothing more than tending to your marine crafts, we get it. Like any other DIY projects, the trick comes down to having the proper tools and, of course, the skill set to do the job well.

Preventative Maintenance

Your time can be best spent on preemptive maneuvers that will save time and money. A common wooden deck problem is deterioration. Wind, water, salt, and sun are the elements that make the scenery, but are certainly the natural enemies of wooden structures. This breakdown of the material does not necessarily impact the entire structure at the same time, so routine inspections are key.

Sealing Your Wooden Dock

The plethora of quality products on the market gives you NO excuse to not properly seal and protect the wood of your dock or deck. Besides the apparent need to replace planking that has rotted, an easy litmus test for how porous wood has become is by simply sprinkling water onto it. If the water beads up, then you know the seal is still viable. If the wood absorbs the water, it is time to give it a good cleaning, swap out any of the damaged or corroded sections and apply a new coat of sealant.

Creaks and Squeaks

Basically, if your deck or dock is hurting, it will try to tell you. If you feel a “springy-ness” when you walk on it, or it makes groaning sounds, the structure may be compromised. We have found this is the fate of decks that are not professionally built. The sounds can be due to inferior fasteners and their improper connection to the planking. One of the beautiful aspects of a wooden dock is the natural sounds it makes, like a comfortable old house, but such a support system still needs to have structural integrity for safety.

Handrails and Stairs

Keep a close eye on these areas as the wear and tear on them is keen. Water also finds its way into the space in between, so ensuring those gaps are properly caulked and sealed will prevent abetting water from traveling to places where it can cause the most harm.

Keeping it Real

Inexpensive substances like vinegar and baking soda make wonderful cleaning aids. Full strength white vinegar for example is great to zap mildew. Poured into a spray bottle and squirted on the affected area, the stains typically can be removed with a wipe while the acid base of the vinegar will help retard future growth.

Again, we are specialists and take tremendous pride in the work we do. We appreciate the satisfaction of a job well done and acknowledge the DIY temptation. If you are going to build or repair a dock, it is still best practice to have a pro inspect it for that safe seal of approval!

Natural Dock Cleaning

October 22, 2015 by gibson Leave a Comment

Simplicity is beauty – whether you are building a wood dock in Florida, or maintaining one. Although they require a bit more care, many owners of waterfront homes prefer this traditional material to composite decking or extruded PVC.

Because wood docks absorb the beautiful Florida sun, they present a gentle tactile, nice to walk on. Aesthetically, they showcase a rustic appeal. Along with rope rails and wood benches, you can truly create a unique ambiance with wood decking. Depending on the area in which you live and the overall décor of your outdoor space, this organic material can naturally integrate for a cohesive feel alongside your property’s shoreline.

The one caveat regarding wooden dock construction is that they require more maintenance than their plastic counterparts. While the assumption is more associated expense and the need to contend with cleaners that are potential pollutants (you will find these chemical-based dock cleaning products displayed with the paint thinners and solvents in the home improvement store), you do have options.

You can keep a wood dock looking great with natural products that are better for you and the environment. There is no need to deal with harsh chemicals or go to the expense of buying bottles of solutions.

Baking soda for example is a renowned stain remover. Vinegar and water are a formidable combo. A seemingly innocuous product that likely has a place in every pantry, vinegar is acid-based. It is powerful, yet biodegradable. White vinegar is also probably one of the most inexpensive items you can purchase at the supermarket.

Reader’s Digest offers up almost one hundred uses for vinegar in the home and garden and provides this great wood dock cleaning tip to help keep mildew at bay:

“Keep some full-strength white vinegar in a recycled spray bottle and use it wherever you see any mildew growth. The stain will wipe right off most surfaces, and the vinegar will keep it from coming back for a while.

Remove mildew from wood decks and wood patio furniture by sponging them off with a solution of 1 cup ammonia, 1/2 cup white vinegar, and 1/4 cup baking soda mixed in 1 gallon (3.7 liters) water. Keep an old toothbrush on hand to work the solution into corners and other tight spaces.”

While there is certainly a consumer vertical chockful of chlorine-free and nontoxic formulas to clean wooden docks that won’t harm plants, people or pets – they are pricey. Many offer cautions to wear gloves due to the mixture’s high acidity and to be careful of slippery surfaces while using the product.

We love the dock designs that can be constructed of pressure-treated lumber. Wood docks provide the perfect palette to reflect deck lighting. Wood also showcases beautifully, whether a home’s architecture is contemporary or traditional.

They may require a little more love to keep looking good and extending their functional life, but wood docks are here to stay. Especially when you consider vinegar as part of a regular maintenance routine: the easy, affordable, organic, environmentally-friendly solution for cleaning wood docks.