Dock repair and storm damage
Docks take a beating from sun, wakes, storms and changing water levels. Here's what to watch for and how it's fixed.
Even a well-built dock needs attention over the years. Flotation can waterlog, cables and hardware rust, decking wears out, and storms can tear docks loose or damage roofs and lifts.
Signs your dock needs repair
- The dock sits lower in the water or lists to one side
- Loose, cracked or soft deck boards
- Rusty or frayed anchor cables, or a dock that shifts more than it used to
- A walkway that binds or hangs up as the water level changes
- Roof panels loose, leaking or damaged
- Exposed or damaged wiring
Common repairs
- Flotation replacement: swapping waterlogged or broken floats for encapsulated ones.
- Re-decking: new boards or composite on a sound frame.
- Anchoring: new cables, winches or pilings to keep the dock in place.
- Walkway repairs: hinges, rollers and ramps.
- Roof repair: panels, trusses and posts.
After a storm
Stay off a damaged dock until it's checked. Turn off power to the dock if wiring may be wet or damaged, and move your boat if you can do it safely. Take photos for insurance, then call a builder. If a dock or debris has broken loose, report it to the lake's managing authority.
Repair or replace?
If the frame is sound, repairs usually make sense. If the frame is rusted through, flotation is failing across the dock, or it no longer suits your boat, replacement may be the better investment. Changes to a dock's footprint or roof on Lakes Hamilton and Catherine need Entergy's approval.
Prices come from the dock builder after they've seen your shoreline. We don't quote prices ourselves, and a phone estimate is only a starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Why is my dock sinking?
Usually waterlogged or damaged flotation. Older floats without encapsulation can absorb water over time. Replacing them restores the dock's height.
Do repairs need a permit?
Routine maintenance usually doesn't, but changing a dock's size, roofline or footprint on Lakes Hamilton and Catherine requires Entergy's written approval.
Related services
More background: Hot Springs lake dock guide.
Planning a new dock or fixing an old one?
Call now and a local dock builder will look at your shoreline and quote the work.