Do you know how to prep your dock for strong Michigan storms?
As August rolls in, lakefront property owners face a predicament: peak boating season combined with unpredictable storms. Storms can bring high winds, sudden water surges, and choppy waves—all of which put strain on your dock.
Here’s how to protect your dock from storms and keep your investment in prime condition.
1. Secure and Stow Loose Items
- Quick sweep: Remove movable items such as chairs, hoses, planters, and equipment and store them inland.
- Tie down essentials: If something must stay dockside—such as dock lights or ladders—secure them with durable straps or bungee cords.
2. Reinforce Anchoring & Post Stability
- Tighten connections: Walk the perimeter, check all bolts in stringer brackets, and tighten any that are loose.
- Leg and brace check: On auger-anchored docks, give each leg a firm shake to ensure it remains firmly embedded—reset and tighten if needed.
- Boat secured correctly: If not on a lift, ensure the boat is tied correctly to allow for storm waves. Check all ropes for wear.
3. Elevate Dock Height and Monitor Water Levels
- Pre storm adjustment: Ensure your dock is high enough that typical late summer waves won’t wash over the deck.
- Easy aluminum adjustment: Thanks to Alumi-Span’s lightweight anodized aluminum structure, leg-height modifications are quick and pain-free.
4. Protect Dock Electronics & Boat Equipment
- Power down and unplug: Disconnect lights, pumps, sensors—anything that uses electricity or floats water—before the storm hits.
- Bin and stow cords: Coil extension cables neatly and move them far enough inland to avoid flooding.
- Check boat covers: Secure all boat covers as recommend by manufacturer. High winds can make covers into sails and can send boats flying, causing damage to not only the boat but docks as well.
5. Post Storm Inspection & Maintenance
- First light inspection: Walk the dock, looking for loose bolts, bent frames, and shifted posts.
- Align and level: Use a carpenter’s level or tape measure from deck to water to ensure your dock is flat.
- Replace as needed: If welds, bolts, or hardware took a beating, Alumi-Span offers replacement nuts, bolts, brackets—any hardware you might need.
- Clean and dry: Rinse off dirt or algae and allow everything to air dry; corrosion is minimal with anodized aluminum, but you do not want water or other debris to sit on it long-term.
While no dock is invincible in extreme conditions, you can improve its resilience with a few steps of smart late-summer prep!
Stay Ahead of Storms with Premium Boat Dock Parts!
Aluminum docks from Alumi-Span have been surviving Michigan storms since 1956 and offer:
- Unmatched strength and longevity, with many still in use after 50+ years.
- Easy maintenance, thanks to corrosion resistance and repair-friendly modular design.
- Adjustability, with leg-height tweaks made thanks to the lightweight aluminum frame.
Need help, replacement boat dock parts, or professional advice? Contact us today or visit the Alumi-Span Design Tool to customize your dock for maximum durability. If you prefer phone calls, call (855) 523-2444!
