Preparing Your Dock for Winter: Expert Tips to Protect Your Docks, Accessories, and Boat Lifts From Ice Damage

 

Winter is approaching, and it’s essential to properly prepare your dock—whether it’s a floating dock or a standing dock—along with your boat lift and accessories for the cold season. Proper winterization helps prevent costly damage and extends the lifespan of your installations. Here are the recommendations from our experts at The Lighthouse Docks for winterizing your dock safely and effectively.

Remove Your Docks and Boat Lifts From the Water

Regardless of the type of dock—standing, floating, or semi-floating—it is strongly recommended to remove all installations from the water before winter.
The biggest risk comes from ice movement, especially in the spring, when shifting ice can exert tremendous pressure on dock structures.

Even a floating dock should be removed to avoid damage.
If your dock is in a quiet bay or a sheltered area where the ice barely moves, you can take the risk of leaving it in the water… but it’s not recommended. It’s always better to prevent ice-related damage than to repair it later!

Storage and Maintenance of Dock Panels

Western Red Cedar Panels

Store them in a dry place such as a garage, shed, or shelter. This helps preserve their lifespan and protects them from winter humidity.
If indoor storage isn’t possible, stand the panels vertically on wooden blocks (so they do not touch the ground) and cover them with a tarp to protect them from snow and moisture.

Sunwalk Panels

These panels are attached directly to the structure and can remain outdoors during winter with no issues. They are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and do not require any special storage.

Tips for Standing Docks

When removing your dock for winter, keep the poles in the sections at the same height. This will make spring installation much easier, as everything will already be configured and will require minimal adjustment.

The aluminum structures can be stored directly on your property, even in the snow—aluminum does not fear cold weather.
Never turn dock sections upside down: the drainage holes underneath the frame can trap water, which may freeze and cause the aluminum to crack.

Discover our complete range of aluminum standing/wheel docks!

Winter Storage for Dock Accessories

Before winter, remove your dock accessories (benches, railings, ladders, etc.). This makes winter storage easier and safer.
Store them in a dry place and take the opportunity to inspect the hardware.
If any parts are missing, order replacements during the off-season so you’re ready when spring arrives.

Explore all our dock and boat lift accessories here.

Winterizing Boat, Pontoon, and PWC Lifts

Boat lifts must also be removed from the water and placed far enough from the shore so that the ice cannot reach them.
If your lift has a motor, you can cover it with a ventilated cover, although it is optional.

For solar-powered systems, remove the battery and store it indoors in a dry environment. Using a maintenance charger (trickle charger) during winter helps extend the battery’s lifespan.

If your lift is on wheels, anchor it to a tree or another solid point to prevent movement from wind or ice.

In Summary

To properly winterize your dock, remember to:

• Remove everything that is in the water
• Store indoors anything that can be protected
• Prevent ice movement and water infiltration
• Prepare your equipment for a hassle-free setup in the spring

Remember: a little prevention today can save you a lot of repairs tomorrow.
At The Lighthouse Docks, we design our products to last—but proper winterization and seasonal maintenance make all the difference.

Do you have questions about winterizing, maintenance, or dock accessories? Visit our Q&A for detailed answers from our experts.