If you live on the water in Florida, hurricane season isn’t just a weather event—it’s a stress test for your dock. At Old Florida Docks, we’ve spent the last few years building docks that are made to last. And after the recent storms, we saw firsthand what happens when they’re not.
We spent over four months rebuilding docks that our competitors had built—and the failures weren’t random. They followed patterns we’ve seen too often:
- Pilings that weren’t set deep enough
- Weak joints between dock sections
- Minimal under-support beneath decking
That’s exactly why we overbuild the way we do. But no matter how well your dock was built, hurricane prep is still essential. Here’s what we recommend every homeowner does before the next big storm hits.
1. Add Weight to Pilings with Water-Filled Trash Cans
Rising lake levels and wind-driven waves create upward pressure that can slowly lift your dock’s framing—and even the pilings—out of place. One of the easiest ways to fight this is by adding downward weight on top of each piling.
We recommend placing large plastic trash cans filled with water on each piling connected to your structure. It’s low-cost, easy to set up, and proven to help prevent pilings from shifting during storm surge. After storms like Milton and Helene, docks with this prep held up noticeably better than those without.
2. Secure Your Boat Lift
If you have a boat lift, you’ve got a few extra steps to protect it and your boat:
- Raise the lift as high as possible.
- Tie the boat to the lift cradles, not just the dock—this keeps it from floating away if water levels rise.
- Use multiple tie-off points to keep the boat from swinging or shifting during high winds.
3. Remove Loose Items from the Dock
Even the sturdiest dock can take a hit from flying furniture or gear:
- Clear off chairs, coolers, planters, and anything that isn’t fixed in place.
- Take down decorative lights, umbrellas, and any extras.
- If it could catch wind, take it inside or tie it down.
Build It Right. Prep It Smart.
A lot of the damage we’ve repaired wasn’t caused by hurricanes—it was caused by shortcuts. At Old Florida Docks, we don’t cut corners, and we don’t want to see our customers suffer avoidable damage.
If you want help prepping your dock—or building one that won’t leave you worried every time a storm spins up—reach out. We build them strong, and we build them to last.
Old Florida Docks 