How to Winterize Your Floating Dock

As summer fades into fall, property owners are busy making winter preparations around their homes, businesses, landscapes and docks. Snow, ice and fluctuating extreme temperatures in the winter threaten your dock and shoreline. Winterizing boat docks is essential to dock and waterfront property ownership because it preserves your structures and minimizes environmental damage.

Read on to learn more about floating dock winter preparation, including some helpful tips for a successful season.

Read the full article or jump to a specific section: 

• Importance of Winterizing Your Boat Dock 
• How to Winterize Your Boat Dock 
• Tips for Preparing Your Boat Dock for Winter 
• FAQs About Winterizing Boat Docks 
• Learn More About EZ Dock Floating Docks 

Importance of Winterizing Your Boat Dock

Winterizing your boat dock is key to preserving its structural integrity, promoting longevity and improving safety. Winter brings along several risks to your dock and property, including:

• Changing temperatures: As temperatures fluctuate in the winter, some dock materials — like wood — may contract and expand. This constant movement can warp wooden dock boards. Other types of dock materials, like polyethylene, are safe from expansion and shrinkage.
• Ice formations: Ice can be very detrimental to anything in its path. If it forms on your dock, the pressure can cause costly damage. Floating ice formations on the water can also crash into your dock or gangway via strong currents, leaving behind scratches, scuffs or structural damage.
• Freeze and thaw: As water enters a cycle of thawing and freezing, water levels may rise and fall. If water levels get too low, floating docks may scratch against your lake or pond bed. Should they get too high, fixed docks may become inaccessible and frozen over. The constant freezing and thawing may also loosen the fasteners in some types of docks.
• Hazardous conditions: Docks get slippery in the winter, and most bodies of water reach dangerously cold temperatures. Storing and winterizing your dock is the most effective way to discourage anyone from attempting to access or use it during unsafe weather conditions.

Winterizing your dock eliminates these risks and preserves your investment. Removing the dock for winter and reassembling it in spring saves you the frustration of damage and the costs of repairs, meaning you’ll be that much closer to getting back on the water.

How to Winterize Your Boat Dock

Proper dock winterization depends on the type of dock you have. EZ Dock floating docks are made of durable, winter-resistant polyethylene, so you won’t have to struggle to make them winter-ready. These systems are also easy to move. Stationary docks and docks made of metal or wood are more complicated.

How to Winterize a Floating Dock

Winterizing a floating dock is easy, particularly the EZ Dock floating dock. Thanks to its durable polyethylene construction and thick, air-filled flotation chambers, you don’t have to worry about applying any special treatments or replacing metal fasteners.

To winterize your EZ Dock, follow these steps:

• Remove all accessories: First, detach and store all dock accessories, including launches, storage containers, tie-up cleats, slides, benches and handrails.
• Clean your dock: Wipe down your dock sections and accessories as you store them away to ensure easier cleanup in the spring. Either hand dry each section or allow it time to air dry before storing it away for the season.
• Remove the sections: Our flexible rubber couplers are easy to uninstall. Carefully remove the coupler bolt from each unit, one at a time, similar to how you installed it. Be sure to keep the dock sections level and steady, and do not lose any of the bottom coupler pieces. As you remove and store each section, consider adding a removable label to each one, indicating the correct order for reassembly. For some configurations, particularly at commercial facilities or marinas with extended docking systems, this is the best way to ensure correct installation in the spring.
• Consider investing in wheels: EZ Dock dock wheels are made from the same polyethylene construction as your dock, making them equally durable and damage-resistant. Attach them to your dock sections for quick, stress-free transportation to and from your storage facility.
• Store dock sections: For easy transportation, store your dock sections and accessories in a dry, secure area, preferably not too far from the shore. While there is no need to cover your EZ Dock sections, adding a tarp or choosing an enclosed storage space will minimize dust or dirt that could collect on the outside.

Winterizing Dock Sections Onshore

The best solution for protecting your dock in severe winter conditions is to remove and store it inside. While sectional floating docks don’t require removal under normal winter conditions, it’s ideal to do so in specific circumstances like the shoreline experiencing ice pressure. Due to the innovative design of modular floating docks, it’s easy to assemble and disassemble the sections for onshore storage. Here are things to keep in mind when storing your dock onshore:

• Avoid dragging sections over rough surfaces, as that can cause more damage than the weather would.
• Clean the dock components like decking accessories before storage.
• Store the dock on a dry, flat and level surface.

Winterizing Dock Sections on the Water

Understandably, it’s not always possible to remove a dock for the winter for reasons related to the shoreline or dock itself. While it’s simple and convenient to detach and store modular floating dock sections onshore, you can still winterize them on the water like you would with stationary docks. Here is a checklist for winterizing floating docks on water:

• Inspect the dock: Before winter sets in, perform a visual inspection of the dock and its components to ensure they are in good condition. Confirm that the anchoring systems are secure.
• Keep the dock area clear: Clean the dock area by removing excess snow and debris to minimize ice pressure on the structure.
• Use a bubbler or deicer: Deicers are small devices that generate heat in small areas around the dock to prevent ice buildup. Air bubblers or aerators circulate water from the bottom of the pond to the surface by pumping air into the water. Keeping the water moving with this air also prevents ice from forming.
• Monitor dock condition: Monitor ice formation and conditions that increase the ice flow to determine if you should remove the dock and pile.

Tips for Preparing Your Boat Dock for Winter

Now that you understand the process of winterizing your boat dock and why it’s so important, here are some tips to help you work through the process.

1. Create a Winterization Plan

Start creating your winter plans in the spring or summer so you can gather everything you need and know exactly where to begin once the weather gets cold. If you own a removable dock, choose a dry, secure area to store your dock and accessories. Decide how you will move your floating dock sections from the shoreline to your storage facility, and consider asking a friend if they are willing to lend a hand when the day arrives.

Remember to allocate a few days to the winterization process. While disassembling and relocating an EZ Dock is simple, navigating permanent docks or challenging landscapes might be trickier. Give yourself enough time — at least a few days — to complete winterization and address issues that may need repairs.

2. Conduct Before and After Inspections

Perform a thorough visual inspection of your dock, gangway and accessories before winterizing. You want to ensure the dock is in good condition, especially if you plan to leave it in the water all season long. Note and repair any existing damage or vulnerable areas. When the season ends, perform a second inspection after reinstalling your dock. Note any new changes, damage or markings. If you own a wooden or metal dock, check that all bolts, nails and screws are secure and free of corrosion.

3. Consult Your Owner’s Manual

Reliable dock manufacturers provide instruction manuals alongside their systems. If you have an owner’s manual, check for specific maintenance practices or winterization tips and tricks. The owner’s manual is a great place to find information about the easiest ways to disassemble, reassemble and inspect your dock before storing it.

4. Check Local Regulations

Always check with your marina, municipality or homeowners association regarding specific winter regulations for docks. Many places require complete dock removal by a specific date, while other locations may have assistants on hand to help you complete your project.

FAQs About Winterizing Boat Docks

With a little preparation, winterizing and storing your boat dock for the winter is simple. The more you understand about the process, the easier it will be to reinstate your docking system in the spring — and the sooner you can get back on the water doing what you love.

Here are some frequently asked questions about winterizing boat docks.

Can I Leave a Floating Dock Outdoors in Winter?

You can leave your dock outdoors if you leave it on an elevated surface with limited ice build up. EZ Dock systems, for example, don’t require special care when stored outdoors. However, ensure the walking surface faces up or the sections are stacked on their edge.

Can I Leave a Dock in the Water Over the Winter?

You can leave your dock in the water throughout the winter if you take precautions to minimize the risk of damage. EZ Dock systems float high enough to prevent damage from normal ice pressure. However, when the ice flow is severe, it’s best to remove the dock and pilings to prevent pressure damage.

How Do I Remove My Dock for Winter?

EZ Dock couplers make disconnecting and reattaching individual sections easy, especially when using a coupler installation tool. Consult your owner’s manual for specific instructions.

Do I Need to Remove My Gangway, Port or Launch?

If possible, yes. Remove as many items from the water and shoreline as you can before winter to reduce any shore or dock damage. EZ Dock gangways, launches and ports are easy to remove and store alongside your dock in a dry, covered location.

Learn More About EZ Dock Floating Docks

Whether you are building a new dock or considering an upgrade to an existing dock, EZ Dock floating docks are the ideal balance of style, convenience and quality — and what better time to plan for a new dock than over the winter season? You can easily integrate our modular docks into your existing setup or create your own unique layout. 

All of our docks are compatible with other EZ Dock products, including our EZ BoatPort, EZ Launch® Residential, EZ Launch Accessible Transfer System and all EZ Port systems. Find an EZ Dock distributor near you to get started, or request a quote to get your project estimate!