One of the biggest fears of any dock owner is losing your dock. If it were to sink, you could lose your favorite fishing spot, a place to launch your watercraft, or even part of your business. Foam dock floats are a surefire way to ensure your dock stays above water, so none of your dock-related fears come true.
Signs Your Dock Needs Dock Floats
If you are worried about your dock sinking, be sure to watch out for the indicators of a compromised dock. A weakened dock can be just one storm away from being pulled underneath the water. If you notice any of these signs of a deteriorating dock, it’s time to take precautionary measures and get Coast Guard-certified marine foam installed.
Structural Issues:
- Visible cracks, splits, or rotting in support beams and decking materials
- Loose or missing hardware, including bolts and brackets
- Uneven or sagging sections indicating compromised flotation
Water-Related Problems:
- Standing water that doesn’t drain properly
- Visible waterline marks above normal levels
- Dock sections sitting lower in the water than others
Movement Concerns:
- Excessive swaying or movement during normal conditions
- Creaking or unusual sounds when walking on the dock
- Growing gaps between dock sections
Structural issues, water-related complications, and movement are all signs that your dock is aging and may fail soon. Rather than let your dock dip below the water, consider a cost-effective solution like foam dock floats.
What Are Foam Dock Floats?
Foam dock floats can be made from old barrels, roto-molded forms, or any hollow float using special marine flotation foam. They maintain the buoyancy of the dock—even when a dock is damaged—and can benefit both older docks and new installations in a variety of ways. Empire Foam Solutions’ Aloha Flotation Foam, for example, can be used in both new and old docks in order to keep them afloat and avoid failure.
How Do Foam Dock Floats Work?
Foam dock floats are made up of two components: marine flotation foam and some sort of a hollow vessel, used as a mold. The vessel is lined with polyethylene sheeting to keep the foam from sticking, and the expanding foam is sprayed inside. After it dries, the new dock float can be removed from the mold, the polyethylene sheeting can be removed, and the entire float can be sprayed with polyurea or covered with anti-fouling bottom paint. The dock float will then be usable for many years to come, impervious to oils, salts, and other damages.
Invest in Foam Dock Floats
Empire Foam Solutions’ marine flotation foam is U.S. Coast Guard-approved, making it the perfect choice for foam dock floats. Our team of experts can set you up with local installers to help with your project or sell and train you and your people all the equipment necessary to do the job on an ongoing basis. Give us a call at 518-852-2812 or fill out our contact form for more information.