What to Do When the Lake Freezes
If you're a dock and/or boat owner in Missouri, you remember the great freeze-over of 2021. Well, we're at that time of year again when single-digit temperatures are threatening to cause damage to your dock and boat! If you've noticed the water starting to freeze around your dock and you don't know what to do, today's blog is for you. Firstmate Controls cares about you and your safety through every season and we're bringing you tips today on what to do for your dock and boat when the water starts freezing.
Safety First
First and foremost, keep your safety in mind any time you are out on your dock or near the water's edge this time of year. If you accidentally fall into the water, it only takes a few minutes for your body to experience hypothermia, cramp up, and cause you to drown. Wear a life jacket that is fitted to your body so if you do accidentally fall in, you don't have to worry about a muscle cramp causing you to sink. Bonus: Tie a whistle to your lifejacket so you can signal for help if you fall in. You would be surprised how difficult it can be to yell when your chest is below the cold water's surface.
Weight of Snow & Ice
When taking care of your dock, one of the first things to note is that snow and ice are heavy. With enough piled on your dock, the floats could fail to compensate and your dock could sink. Most dock insurance riders typically cover this, but it's a special add-on you have to request as part of your homeowner's insurance policy. If possible, keep your dock walkways and roof clear of heavy snow and ice. DO NOT climb on top of your dock's roof as this is very dangerous and could cause serious injury or death. Instead, use something to carefully heat the roof from underneath if your roof is metal.
Ice Frozen Around the Dock
If it has become cold enough to freeze the water around your dock, it's important for you to take a few actions as soon as possible. First, loosen your dock cables so the dock has a bit more play and isn't pulling on the walkway or seawall. Second, disconnect the hinges of the walkway from the seawall. If you don't and the water level of the lake lowers, your dock could pry apart the seawall cause expensive damage. Then, break up the ice so your dock is floating freely again in the water. To prevent this issue altogether, purchase a Dock De-Icer. These devices keep the water around your dock moving, pulling warm air from the bottom of the lake up to the top. This prevents it from freezing and can keep your dock and boat safe throughout the sub-freezing temperatures.
Get a Great Lift System
Really cold air, like what we're experiencing now, reduces air pressure. That includes the air pressure that is keeping your lift up and the boat out of the water. If your lift loses pressure, you could also lose your boat! Instead of leaving it to chance, buy a Firstmate Controls Remote Control Boat Lift. Our boat lift control system can automatically refill the lift when it's leaking and send you a notification that there is an issue. Never worry about your boat floating away again.
Best Remote Control Lift System
As always, Firstmate Controls puts your safety and the safety of your dock and boat first. We care about you and your boating experience and love innovating to make it better and better. If you are curious about our systems, check out our website or give us a call. We can't wait to make your dock the best it can be!
Boat Lift Controls You Can Count On!
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