9 Most Common Dock Problems We See on Southwest Michigan Lakes (And How to Fix Them)

Owning a lakefront property in Michigan is a dream — but keeping your dock in good shape can be a challenge. Between sandy bottoms, muck pockets, fluctuating water levels, storms, and even possible ice movement, your system takes a beating throughout the year. Here are the most common dock issues we run into on Southwest Michigan lakes — and how you can prevent or solve each one.

1. Crooked or Sinking Dock Sections

Why it happens: soft bottoms, muck pockets, shifting sediment, improper leveling and installation.

• Reset the legs and re-level your section, making sure to tighten correctly
• Add larger footpads
• Consider switching to ShoreStation, Twin Bay, or FLOE sectional systems for easier adjustment
• For soft bottoms, CanDock floating systems eliminate leveling altogether

2. Bent Frames or Damaged Legs

Most common causes: ice push, overloading, storm damage, improper removal or installation.

• Replace bent components
• Upgrade to a sectional system with stronger leg assemblies
• Reinforce with proper footpads and bracing

If your frame is bent, it's usually a sign the dock is near end-of-life.

3. Loose or Missing Hardware

We see this constantly: bolts not fully tightened, or hardware misplaced during the off-season.

• Proper annual hardware tightening
• Replace corroded parts
• Store hardware in a dry place during winter (soaking them in oil helps prevent rust for years)

4. Unstable or Wobbly Sections

Why it happens:

• Water level is too deep
• Uneven leg pressure
• Incorrect bracing
• Aging frames

How to fix it:

• Re-level
• Add diagonal bracing
• Replace worn components
• Upgrade to more rigid aluminum systems like FLOE or Twin Bay, or consider new solutions if the water is too deep

5. Decking Panels Popping Up, Warping, or Breaking

Especially with older wood or composite systems.

• Replace aging decking
• Secure panels with updated hardware
• Switch to systems where panels lock in securely, such as ShoreStation, Twin Bay, and FLOE

6. Corroded Fasteners & Rusting Metal

Michigan's freeze-thaw cycles and water chemistry accelerate corrosion.

• Replace hardware
• Use stainless steel when possible
• For severe corrosion, replacement becomes more cost-effective than repair

7. Storm Damage

High winds and wakes can shift or damage docks.

• Add stabilizing braces
• Re-anchor or reposition sections
• Install bumpers or fenders
• For high-activity lakes, floating modular options like CanDock handle wave action extremely well

8. Ice Damage

Ice expands, shifts, and pushes — damaging sections, legs, and frames.

• Proper removal every fall
• For permanent systems, consider installing ice-eaters or bubblers

9. Roll-In Axle, Cable, and Winch Failures

Roll-in docks look simple — but these components often fail due to age or stress.

• Replace winches, cables, or wheels
• Consider switching to a sectional or floating system to eliminate these failure points

When to Repair vs Replace

If your system shows multiple issues — bent frames, heavy corrosion, constant adjustment — it may be time for a replacement. Many older wood docks simply weren't built to handle Michigan's conditions long term.

We carry durable, Michigan-proven systems like:

• Twin Bay
• FLOE
• ShoreStation
• CanDock floating docks

Get Help From Michigan's Dock Experts

Whether you're dealing with crooked sections, worn hardware, or looking to upgrade your entire setup, the Beach Bumz team is here to help with quotes, installs, repairs, and replacements across Southwest Michigan.