Dock safety Archives - Gibson Marine Construction

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!

Life in sunny Florida. It is as picture perfect as you’d expect. Intercoastal waters and the incomparable Gulf of Mexico; not to mention all the lakes that afford even more of us the good fortune of enjoying our waterfront homes. Once you live on the water, you are unlikely to ever wish to live anywhere that doesn’t boast a view that can be both serene, yet fraught with the happy activity of a boater’s life.

Like anything that’s beautiful, there is a degree of associated maintenance. When it comes to water, that maintenance extends to an understanding of safety, for yourself and the structures which are extensions of your property: docks and decks. There exists a wide variety of course of these marine structures: wood, vinyl, composite; fixed or floating. They each carry their own safety list.

For families with children, a wonderful selection of removable fence barriers may be affixed around a dock’s perimeter to provide an extra layer of security. Because many are made of a commercial mesh and offer a transparent effect, the safety fence does not obstruct the water views. The peace of mind is well worth it, whether to protect your own family or your neighbor’s children.

But even for adults, keeping your dock maintenance current is key. Adults can just as easily fall heir to a slip and fall in the presence of loose or rotting boards, decking slanted due to posts not firmly rooted, or fastener bolts that are the wrong type or that have been compromised by rust. Even the use of an improper sealant coating the dock’s surface is an accident waiting to happen. Despite Florida’s mild temperatures, early morning fog and dew can create slippery surfaces.

Children themselves should learn early to respect the water and understand the potential danger it presents. Swimming lessons are of course a must, but learning to observe rules and read signage posted about water conditions is the absolute priority for life at the water’s edge. Even participating in boating safety classes reinforces that commitment to safety. Educating children on diving and the risks associated with running where they shouldn’t will go a long way. Additionally, teaching children the importance of maintaining structures like docks and seawalls serves to prepare them for a mature look at water safety.

And finally, remaining compliant with the laws governing your township or community’s subdivision makes for a less complicated (and safer!) life. Avoiding fines, etc. is one thing, but mandates are designed to protect the community’s citizens. These regulations exist for a reason, although there may come a time where some become outmoded, and that is the time to follow the locale’s instructions for effecting changes for the greater good through the appropriate democratic process.

We are in the Florida marine construction business and employ professionals who have been constructing docks, decks, and seawalls for over thirty years. Even though we know what we are doing, we never take a chance on any of our employees getting hurt or putting them in an untenable position. Safety is always our first step and defines everything we do.

How to Solve Common Dock and Deck Problems

Dock and Deck Safety

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