Gibson Marine Construction

For Waterfront Property Owners, It’s All About ‘Safety First’

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Owning a waterfront property in Florida, or other coastal towns throughout the U.S., can certainly feel like a privilege; but with great perks, comes great responsibility! Keeping your waterfront property, and all that comes with it, well-maintained can help keep your friends, family and visitors safe, allowing you to enjoy all that mother nature has to offer.

Having worked in the marine construction industry for over 30 years, we here at Gibson Marine have truly “seen it all.” From failing, or dilapidated seawalls, rotting or leaning docks and decks, rusted or broken boat lifts, and worse, we have seen what can happen when outdoor structures are ignored or neglected. Each of these conditions, mentioned above, not only create eye sores for your neighbors, but grave safety concerns for anyone attempting to use or walk on these structures. However, we’ve yet to come across a seawall, dock, deck or boat lift we couldn’t fix! Below, we’ve compiled some of the major concerns we face as waterfront property owners, and when you should leave the repairs to the experts!

Seawalls

A seawall acts as your first line of defense, and is an invaluable structure for homeowners on the water. While we recommend regular cleaning, maintenance and monitoring of your seawall, a major storm or invisible damage can result in a severely compromised seawall that needs professional attention ASAP. If you feel that your seawall might be damaged, it’s always better to call an expert to come out and take a look at it – better safe than sorry!

Common causes of damage to seawalls:

Example of a damaged seawall in need of repair

  • Natural wear and tear over time
  • Storm surge/hurricanes
  • Lack of maintenance
  • Changing water flow
  • Improper installation

 

 

Docks and/or Decks

While seawalls act as the first line of defense for your waterfront property, they oftentimes go unnoticed. However, your backyard deck, (and if you have one) dock are often where most the activity happens in your outdoor space, and is usually what guests and visitors see first. Docks and decks can rot or break after time and if they aren’t protected with pressure-treated lumber or built with quality materials, they immediately become a safety hazard to your family or visitors.

While there is a lot that a homeowner can do to protect their dock or deck against damage, if rot sets in, it’s time to call in the professionals. Some common signs that it might be time to call the professionals are:

Example of damaged deck in need of repair

  • Rotting or broken wood
  • Bowing or loose beams
  • Termites
  • Nails or screws won’t hold

 

 

 

Boat Lifts

Every good boatowner knows just how important it is to take care of your investment with regular maintenance, cleaning and long-term care. If you’re fortunate enough to live on the water as a boatowner, it’s imperative that you invest in a boat lift. Boat lifts are central to upkeep and is one of the best ways to proactively maintain the hull. A boat’s hull is obviously subjected to the most potential abuse; particularly if left in the water for extended periods of time. The eventual corrosive effects of elements like algae, moss, and salt water can wear away at the finish, something no boatowner wants to see.

Protecting and maintaining your boat lift is one in the same with protecting and maintaining your boat. Here are some of the common causes of damage to your boatlift:

  • Excessive chafe on the cables
  • Over-extending the life of your cables
  • Improper maintenance/care of lift beams
  • Cracked bunks
  • Improperly greased gears, drive units, pulleys, etc.

If any of these warning signs sound familiar to you, it might be time to give us a call. Safety is something that should be on the forefront of every waterfront property owner’s mind, and maintaining your seawalls, docks and decks, and boat lifts is a big part of staying safe!

 

 

You Can Get a Lot of Mileage from a Floating Dock

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Floating docks are certainly the ideal solution for many reasons. First of all, they offer innate flexibility. They can be added as an extension of a fixed dock–literally providing that extra square footage we seem to crave once we are living life at the water’s edge. With a floating dock as an extension, you can use a fixed dock for furniture and storage and shade umbrellas, and the floating dock to moor your water vessels.

Whether or not you own a boat, if you are living on the water, you are already familiar with the associated maintenance. It could be saltwater or extreme temperature swings, or both; but here in Florida – if you don’t count the occasional hurricane, you can keep your floating dock safe and operational with some pretty straightforward steps. Besides, if you do need to replace your dock, the swap out is less intrusive than ripping down and installing a new fixed one.

Floating Dock Maintenance and Construction

For PVC or composite surfaces, soap and water will do the trick. If you have a power washer, that will be a time saver of course, but we always recommend a thorough inspection before and after cleaning. Depending on how your floating dock is affixed to your seawall or coastline will determine what you need to inspect. Routine inspections rule out the creation of dangerous situations.

Some people do enjoy the challenge installing their own floating dock provides. If so, do not skimp. The hardware you use should be stainless or galvanized, or at the very least, marine-environment rated. Zinc or copper grease can be swiped on the bolt threads too before tightening any nuts.

Floating docks are ideal for areas with fluctuating tides, and most can remain in the water. They can assume a variety of shape configurations; you can really get more creative than you would imagine with something which is a removable addition.

Docks in a Storm

There’s nothing like a fixed dock for the creativity and just the presence their construction evokes, but there is also no doubt about the flexibility a floating dock provides. When Florida gets hit with some crazy storms, and even during the rainy season when the wind kicks up, the first thing residents are instructed to do is to take in outdoor furniture and anything that could get swept away and cause destruction or injury. This is of course true for floating docks. Since they can be detached, there is less likelihood of their getting beaten up and damaged when secured away.

As a marine construction company, we design, manufacture, and install all kinds of custom fixed and floating docks. It is interesting today how much design inspiration our clients provide. As professionals, we genuinely appreciate these collaborations. Sites like Pinterest illustrate unique add-ons for floating docks like: doggie ladders, dock swings, dock launchers for kayaks and canoes. Literally, something for everyone with expanded features to enhance the traditional installations. These embellishments contribute to showcasing your unique style as an extension of your home and outdoor space.

Fixed Docks vs Floating Docks

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We have been Florida dock experts for many, many years and have seen an extraordinary evolution in the methods of installation and types of dock surfaces for businesses and home owners to take under consideration. While we love the growth and the possibilities these represent, options can be confusing; so we recommend you take it step by step.

First, contract the best dock construction specialist in Tampa Bay. Check. You called Gibson Marine!

Second, start with the big picture and work down toward the details. Whether you are installing a brand new dock or replacing an existing one, just begin with the wish list on one side and the questions list on the other. Jotting them down as you consider what you want will make certain we look at this structural addition from every angle.

Third is the consideration of the type of dock. There are materials of all types and additions like benches and power and railings of all sorts; but you begin at the baseline. The type. You’ve heard of them both, as their reference is directly linked to their juxtaposition to your water’s edge: fixed or floating.

Fixed

  • Attached permanently with pilings driven into the seabed
  • Framing and decking can be crafted from steel, composite, pressure-treated lumber, extruded PVC
  • Can be used to support a boat lift or heavier items like storage cabinetry or furniture

Floating

  • They are flexible and buoyant and easily impacted by tidal fluctuations
  • Because not necessarily permanent, they can be removed and stored which can come in handy
  • Typically, vertical poles are what keep it grounded

Depending on the type of water vessel you are keeping moored, a floating dock will technically provide a “level playing field” so to speak by providing an easy transition from vessel to dock as they will both always be at the same water level. Here along Florida’s famous gulf coast, those consistencies will bode well for staying dry as you make your way onto shore!

Fixed docks are of course a more permanent structure so will not be as adaptable to water height, but they instead present as a true extension of your property and can be uniquely decorated while supporting any number of accessories including ladders and railings and genuine support to safely move from water to dock.

If you know your neighbors well enough, take a survey of what they like and potentially dislike about the docks on their properties. A professional can give recommendations, but you will receive valuable perspective from current owners and what they may have done differently when they had their install done; or even what modifications they may be contemplating.

At the end of the day, it comes down to the right price point for your budget, and a dock solution that is going to meet your needs for its use. We suggest you take your time, do some research, call us with any questions, and enjoy the exciting process of building a dock for your home!

Give Your Dock a Lift

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At Gibson Marine, we specialize in complete marine solutions: seawalls, docks, and boat lifts.

A boat lift is the best means of keeping your craft accessible and away from the damaging effects of water storage – from delamination to storm damage. The best way to protect this pricey possession is to lift it out of the water when not in use.

Our boat lifts range from standard to full systems designed to resist weather and corrosion, including:

  • Aluminum Boat Lifts
  • Galvanized Boat Lifts
  • Davits
  • PWC Lifts
  • Swinger Style Lifts

The same principle applies with boat lift installation as it does to DIY Docks – don’t get in over your head. There are those who like to believe they are saving themselves money by installing a boat lift on a brilliantly sunny Saturday. The reality is you will quickly regret the decision to take on this challenge:

  • You can compromise the structural integrity of your boat dock
  • You can damage your boat
  • You can create an unsafe area where you invite all manner of injury
  • All of the above

Although it may seem ironic that a marine vessel should not be stored in the water, it is the fact. Many types of boats have been designed and manufactured with the intention that they be dry docked, regardless of the protective sealants applied.

The caveat that a brand new automobile begins its descent into depreciation once you drive it off the dealership’s lot? So it goes with your boat. Actually, storing it in the water contributes to a decrease in its performance and accelerates the loss of value rather significantly.

It is also true that personal watercraft (like jet-skis) and any others whose purpose relies on speed and performance benefit tremendously from being taken out of the water when not in use.

What Type of Boat Lift Do you Need?

We will consult with you on the variety of features and options. Fortunately ours is an industry which has incorporated aesthetics into functionality, so there is depth of choice.

The best place to start is with the material as that speaks directly to the waters upon which you live. Here on Florida’s Gulf Coast, stainless steel and galvanized steel are the recommended materials for boat lifts to combat the corrosive effects of saltwater.

The size of the boat lift is a function of the right width and length to support your boat of course, but we do recommend considering future boat purposes. Will you be upgrading your vessel to a larger one and therefore would you potentially “outgrow” your current lift sooner than later?

And finally, you can get a lot of boat lift bells and whistles like powered winches and remotes to control them, etc. We will make certain that those inclusions are made easy by confirming your dock’s accessibility to a sufficient power source and to keep your new boat lift in line with your budget.

Once you become acquainted with the costs of water-worthy vessels, you will understand the importance of having a professionally installed boat lift.

 

 

Do-It-Yourself Docks

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The DIY Revolution. The two best things to happen to homeowners in the history of residential housing: HGTV and Home Depot.

Then came the rise of the “kits” — everything you needed to install anything from interior doors to exterior sheds could be purchased in one shrink-wrapped parcel that contained all necessary bolts, anchors, and brackets.

This was followed by YouTube with videos of regular people transforming their kitchens, converting garages into apartments, and even creating a relaxation oasis out of a tiny fenced yard. On your monitor, step-by-step instructions for a full-on DIY Weekend. All lofty goals, all contributed to pride of ownership and in some cases, enabled cost savings.

But should a line be drawn as to what people who are not contractors (or professionals in a particular industry) try to construct? If you could buy a kit on Amazon, would you build your own car? Your own boat? Your own dock at the water’s edge?

Yes, we have been in the marine construction industry for over thirty years. We know what it takes to install a solid, (seaworthy if you will), structure. We are also big on consumer education and want our clients to know how to inspect their docks, decking, and seawalls for changes to their integrity that could cause a breach and mark the beginning of structural damage.

When we build our docks, we are known for our beautiful designs and integrating structures to suit a home’s architecture. But we are about safety first. And we want you to be too. That is why we advocate having your dock built by a professional.

These are our top seven reasons against a DIY Deck:

  1. You are talking about a structure that is on the water upon which people will walk. This is not a fence that surrounds your vegetable garden. Safety is paramount.
  2. You likely don’t have the right tools. You can rent them, but if it is something you need to rent, you likely do not have the proficiency to use them as you don’t already own them.
  3. Installing the supporting posts (or pilings) in the water to sustain your dock or pier necessitates jetting with water, or driving with a pile driver. It’s a big job.
  4. You require an excellent understanding of the soil characteristics. Is the earth at your water’s edge solid enough to be load-bearing? Can it even support the weight of the equipment needed to drive the piles?
  5. Installing a dock requires solid calculations so it stays installed.
  6. You need to be certain you are conforming to safety codes and filing all the appropriate permits with your county or homeowners’ association.
  7. You need professional grade materials. Whether pressure-treated wood or PVC, marine-certified supplies must be used and then fastened with the exact type and quantity of fasteners for that material.

Try your hand at taping and spackling (it is actually harder to do than it looks!) or installing a floating floor in your family room; but when it comes to water structures, you want to consider imposing some DIY limitations. Those are the times when a marine construction specialist is your best don’t-do-it-yourself resource.

We’re Thankful for You!

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As marine structure specialists we spend a good deal of our time installing and repairing docks and seawalls. Because we are dedicated to keeping those docks and decks safe and the property-protecting seawalls standing firm, we are also focused on educating anyone who lives along a coastline.

We are therefore in the habit of sharing our wealth of knowledge because we love living on the water as much as you do. Some “landlubbers” think there may be too much maintenance required to live life at the water’s edge, but as we know, once you have lived on the water there is nothing like it!

So far this year, some of our favorite tips for maintaining Florida docks include:

And of course, some of our Favorite Tips for Maintaining Wood Docks:

  1. Keeping a firm maintenance schedule
  2. Maintaining a watchful eye and addressing minor repairs as they will eventually become major ones…anything missing or damaged, (like a bolt or a plank) will only put more pressure on the rest of the dock.
  3. If you do power wash the dock, do not be overzealous. It is not concrete or vinyl siding you are blasting. You don’t want a dock so clean you can see right through it!
  4. Do consult a pro about the best sealant for your wood dock. Even if you apply it yourself, you want it sealed with a waterproof product that is ideally, environmentally-friendly.
  5. Sanding the dock – if you’ve ever tried to refinish a hard wood floor, you know how an improper technique can cause you to lose control of the machine and result in an unwanted dip in your expensive floor. The same is true when sanding your dock – you can overdo it and ultimately cause more harm than good. It bears repeating here to consult with a pro.

However, our latest Number One Tip for Your Dock is inspired by Otis Redding’s Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay. We recommend you waste some time.

Put down the iPad, take a chair, put on a little music, and just enjoy watching the world go by from your beautiful dock.

 

Sittin’ in the morning sun

I’ll be sittin’ when the evening comes

Watching the ships roll in

Then I watch them roll away again, yeah

 

I’m sittin’ on the dock of the bay

Watchin’ the tide roll away, ooh

I’m just sittin’ on the dock of the bay

Wastin’ time

 

This holiday season we are grateful for all of our clients who have entrusted us with their homes and for giving us the opportunity to provide landscaping services and boat lift installations and all the creative solutions we are able to develop to suit their Florida lifestyle.

 

We wish each of you a Happy Thanksgiving full of friends and family and gratitude. And take a little time for yourself to sit and reflect and enjoy the view!

What Lies Beneath: Dock Pilings

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Whether you are living along Florida’s shoreline or enjoy vistas of one of its crystal clear lakes, you already know what you need to do to maintain your dock. Keeping it safe, looking good, and extending its lifetime are the responsibilities of us “coastliners”.

The initial dock construction however, really has everything to do with protecting your investment by having it installed properly the first time. Exposed to the harshest possible elements including: salt, tropical storms, the famous Floridian sun, and the occasional hurricane; stability is everything in dock construction.

Dock and pier maintenance goes beyond the surface to what lies beneath: dock pilings. There are two basic types of pilings – the ones used as the foundation of a dock and the batter pilings that shore up seawalls that sag.

For your dock, these pilings must be constructed and installed professionally and be paid as close attention to as any other marine structures.

DOCK PILINGS

Perpendicular to your dock, pilings offer the indisputable, essential support. Like nautical fencing, these vertical supports are driven into the water bed. How many and how deep is a job for our engineers. They of course calculate the finished size, the weight of the wood itself, the nature of the water’s bottom, and whether or not a boat lift is part of your installation to calculate if your dock is being designed to support the additional weight of the lift or davit and the weight of the vessel itself.

SEAWALL PILINGS

The marine alter ego of dock pilings are batter pilings. Instead of offering structural support from beneath, these are concrete structural supports installed in front of a seawall to keep it upright and to give it the reinforcement it needs after erosion and other natural wear breach its integrity.

DON’T DIY

Although we recommend that homeowners take an active interest in learning the right techniques for keeping marine structures viable, we do suggest the line be drawn at installing or attempting to repair dock pilings. They are the perfect example of the need for the absolute right tools for the job, having an excellent understanding of the soil conditions beneath the water, as well as knowing the load the pilings must bear.

Additionally, if you have a piling that is not adequately supporting its section of the structure, you will have distribution of weight issues and an uneven underpinning for the dock itself. Have your dock erected properly the first time and you will enjoy it for years and years. Wood pilings can be wrapped in polyethylene to stave off rotting and marine borers.

ENJOY LIFE ON THE WATER’S EDGE

Stay familiar with any changes to your dock. Even an expertly built dock fabricated from pressure treated lumber is not exempt. Take pictures, keep a close eye out.

Any water lover knows that safety is always first. A sound dock is the only dock for your property. You don’t want to issue your guests life jackets at your next party!

Natural Dock Cleaning

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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.

 

 

5 Top Tips for Choosing the Right Contractor

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At Gibson Marine, completing every job on time and on budget is simply the protocol, but not all contractors are created equal. An unscrupulous contractor can wreak havoc on the lives of the homeowners, developers, or builders involved in a project. Over the last 30 years, we’ve rectified nightmare contractor situations for many clients. Most recently, we took over a project in Tierra Verde started by another contractor who did not fulfill their agreement. After a year of trying to coax the original contractor to return and finish the job, the client contacted Gibson Marine. We’re happy to report that once the contract was executed, we were able to complete the project for this client within just 10 days.

When it comes to hiring a contractor, knowledge is power. The more information you have, the better equipped you are to make an educated decision. We’ve compiled this list of “5 Top Tips for Contractor Bliss” to help get you started.

 

1. Do Your HW. Search the Web for information about local contractors and check reviews and ratings. Be sure to ask friends, coworkers, and other people in your community for referrals; when it comes to vetting capable contractors, word-of-mouth recommendations are often the most dependable sources. Make the most of the exchange by asking specific questions, such as:

· How would they describe the quality of the work?

· Were there disparities between the original and final construction budget?

· Was the project completed by the agreed upon deadline?

· Did the contractor maintain a clean and organized job site throughout the construction?

· Would you work with this contractor again? Why or why not?

2. The Proof is in the Paperwork. Make sure that the contractor is licensed and insured. A professional will most likely volunteer the documentation. For example, Gibson Marine’s Florida Certified General Contractor license number can be found right on our website: http://gibson-marine.com/about/. If any subcontractors will be assisting with the project, verify that they are also properly licensed and insured before moving forward with any work. Confirm that the company’s insurance covers workers’ comp, property damage, and personal liability.

3. Write it (All) Down. A thorough written contact is your best defense against future distress or dissatisfaction. Be as detailed as possible – outline the scope of work, specify what materials will be used, define the start of the project and the agreed upon deadline. Any verbal promises or agreements should be added to the written contract. Carefully read the entire contract and confirm that you understand everything outlined. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if you don’t understand something.

4. Compare Bids. Obtain a minimum of three to four bids for the project in question. These bids should all be put in writing so you can refer to them later. All bids should provide a comprehensive plan detailing every juncture of the project. Don’t make a decision solely based on price; in some cases, a low ball bid may be indicative of quality.

5. See Red. When you’re hiring a contractor, be on the lookout for anything that doesn’t add up or just doesn’t feel right. As with any business deal, the potential for scammers is always present. Be wary if a contractor exhibits any of the following red flags:

 · Provides references that can’t be verified.

· Wants all costs paid up front or accepts only cash.

· Avoids putting bid in writing or providing a written contract.

· Bid is exceptionally low – if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!

· Asks you to obtain building permits.

· Uses high pressure sales tactics, such as special pricing contingent upon signing a contract that day.

 

Gibson Marine Construction is a full-service professionally certified marine contractor with over 30 years of experience building seawalls, docks and installing boat lifts. For more information, visit www.gibson-marine.com or call (727) 942-3111.

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2131 Range Rd.
Clearwater, FL 33765
727-942-3111 | gibson-marine.com Florida Certified General Contractor: CGC1514396

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