Published by Old Florida Docks | Tampa’s Custom Dock Builder
Your dock might look fine from above—but it’s what’s underneath that tells the real story.
Florida’s heat, humidity, and fluctuating water levels take a serious toll on wooden docks. If you own a dock, it’s worth taking a few minutes to inspect it—before small issues become expensive rebuilds.
At Old Florida Docks, we’ve repaired, rebuilt, and removed a lot of failed docks—and most of them gave off warning signs before things got bad. Here are the top 5 signs that your dock might be in trouble:
1. Blackened or “Charred” Looking Wood (Rot)
If your framing, support beams, or decking boards are turning dark black or grey, it’s not just dirt—that’s likely rot.
This happens when water sits on untreated or aging wood and slowly breaks it down. Once rot sets in, the structural integrity is gone, even if the board “feels” solid for now.
2. Bending or Failing Support Beams Underneath
Look under your dock. Are the joists or beams sagging in the middle?
When these critical supports begin to bend or break down, the dock above can start to shift or sink. This is often caused by poor-quality lumber, water intrusion, or improper framing (something we never skimp on).
3. Uneven or Sloped Decking
If your deck feels lopsided or visibly leans to one side, there’s a good chance a piling is failing or sinking into the ground.
This is one of the clearest signs that your foundation is compromised. Once one piling starts to drop, it can stress the rest of the structure—especially in walkways or boathouses.
4. Soft or Spongey Deck Boards
Walk slowly across your dock barefoot. Do you feel any spots that give under pressure or feel “squishy”?
That’s a clear sign of waterlogged wood losing its integrity. Even if it looks okay, that soft spot is a failure waiting to happen—and likely to spread.
5. Your Dock Is Submerged During the Wet Season
If your dock ends up underwater for part of the year, it’s likely built too low for your lake’s seasonal changes.
Not only does this increase rot and risk of damage, but it also makes your dock unsafe and unusable when you need it most. A properly built dock should stay high and dry—even during the rainy season.
What Should You Do If You Spot These Signs?
First—don’t ignore them. Small issues become major failures fast in Florida’s climate.
Second—don’t patch it blindly. Replacing a few boards without addressing the cause is a short-term fix that might cost you more in the long run.
Instead, have our team at Old Florida Docks perform a free assessment. We’ll walk your dock, check the foundation, and give you a no-pressure plan for how to repair or rebuild it safely.
⚙️ Thinking About a Replacement?
If your dock is showing more than one of the signs above, it might be time to replace the structure completely. We specialize in custom dock construction across Tampa’s freshwater lakes, with storm-resistant framing, deeper pilings, and options for upgrades like boat lifts, metal roofs, and more.
📞 Ready for a Dock Check-Up?
Click below to schedule a no-obligation site visit.
Let’s make sure your dock is ready for whatever the weather brings.
Old Florida Docks 