If you recently purchased a waterfront property with a dock, you are now responsible for taking care of not just the property but the dock as well. Docks are made to be sturdy and long-lasting; however, they don't last forever, which is why it is essential to be aware of some of the common repairs your dock may need so that you can find the right professionals to address the issues. 

Issue #1: Sinking 

If you have a floating dock, it should raise and lower with the water level. If the water level rises and your dock doesn't also rise, you have an issue that you need to take care of. Generally, with a floating dock, it doesn't sink all at once. You may have a side or portion of your dock that sinks while the rest of it is rising. 

That generally is caused by a float that has become damaged. You will need to replace the float so that your entire dock floats, not just part of it. You should expect and watch for this repair when you have a floating dock. 

Issue #2: Splintering 

Most docks are made from wood. Wood is a strong and sturdy material; however, sometimes, the boards used on your dock may start to splinter over time. If the boards are splintering, the dock's integrity is at risk.  

There are a few things you can do in this situation. If the splintering is shallow, you can sand down the areas where the splintering has occurred to get things functioning properly again. If the splintering is extensive and deep, you will want to have a professional come in and replace the boards. You can replace the damaged boards with wood or upgrade to composite boards, which will not experience the same splintering issues. 

Issue #3: Rusting 

Finally, you need to keep an eye out for rust. Most docks contain some metal parts. Those metal parts should have special coatings on them to prevent rust. However, those coatings will wear down over the years, and those metal parts may start to rust. 

If you have rust on your dock, you will want to bring in a dock repair service to replace any of the rusted bolts and mechanisms. You want the hardware holding your dock together to be in good shape.  

If your dock experiences any of the issues above, you will want to reach out to a local dock repair service company.