Flotation is the part of a floating dock that people think about least, until a corner starts sagging. Here’s what affects how long it lasts.
It depends on the type
- Older exposed foam. Uncovered foam breaks down from sunlight and water, absorbs water and can be chewed by animals. Over the years it loses buoyancy and sheds pieces into the lake.
- Encapsulated floats. Modern floats protect the foam inside a durable plastic shell. They resist waterlogging and last much longer.
What wears floats out
- Sun and weather on any exposed foam
- Impacts from boats, debris and ice
- Waterlogging through cracks in the shell or the foam itself
- Overloading when a dock carries more weight than it was designed for, such as a bigger lift, roof or added sections
Signs it’s time to replace
- A corner or side sits lower than the rest
- The dock rides lower in the water than it used to
- Foam bits floating near the dock
- The dock tilts when people walk to one side
Read more in 7 signs your dock flotation is failing.
Replace a few or all?
If only a few floats have failed, they can be swapped individually. On older docks where most floats are aging, replacing them together usually saves on barge time. See dock flotation replacement or request an estimate.