Prepare your Pier for Fall

Pier Perfection provides their customers with a lake dock/pier and boat lift removal option, so you don’t have to worry about the winter deicing or the potential for damage that comes with Winter. For the removal of our aluminum piers, docks, and boat lifts, we have a one-of-a-kind barge that can safely and easily remove them using hydraulics. Although, we can remove decking that we did not install, we only offer it within our 30-minute service radius. There are many benefits to removing your pier before Winter, though leaving it in can be an option, it just requires far more maintenance and risk.

Benefits of Pier Removal

It is important to properly care for your pier to preserve its longevity, and it can vary per type. The three types that are typically installed are roll-in, sectional, and floating docks. A roll-in dock is easier to remove yourself, though we never recommend removing a dock on your own, especially if you are not certain how it is done. Roll-in docks are typically used for medium to hard lake bottoms that have a mild slope and large shore area. A sectional pier is used where there is minimal storage area and a hilly terrain, while a floating dock is great for lakes that have frequent depth fluctuation and soft lake bottoms.

Some benefits of removing your lake dock instead of providing deicing is that there is minimal risk for damage when in a dry storage area instead of on an icing lake. Another pro is that we provide lake dock and boat lift removal for our customers, so we make it easy and affordable. Removing a dock leaves you with a peace of mind that just doesn’t come when you don’t have your dock stored properly and safely off the lake.

De-Icing (the other option)

Instead of removing lake docks for the winter, there is the possibility of winterizing them and using a deicer, also known as an aerator, instead. To winterize your pier, you will need to remove all fixtures and accessories, tighten the bolts and screws, attach a safety line, and detach from the shore. The fluctuating temperatures can loosen fasteners and the dock needs to be secured in case the dock comes loose. Deicing is the most important step because the contraction and expansion of ice as it forms, melts, and refreezes has enough pressure to warp or destroy your dock. Floating ice also has the potential to push docks and destroy them as well.

So, if you leave your dock in, you will need to install an air compressor deicer or a motor-powered underwater propeller. Don’t forget to add a sign warning skaters and others from getting to close. These methods are not 100% though and damage can still occur, so pier removal is the best option. Contact Pier Perfection to learn more about our pier/dock and boat lift removals!