Fall Dock Maintenance Tips for Your Infinity RS7
Key Takeaways
Fall can bring fluctuating water levels, increased debris, and colder temperatures that can take their toll on even the most durable waterfront systems.
Proactive maintenance allows you to spot potential issues while preparing your dock for the harsher winter conditions.
While the Infinity RS7 is designed to withstand harsh marine environments, regular upkeep is essential for optimizing its performance and longevity.
As fall ushers in cooler temperatures and more unpredictable weather, it also presents an excellent opportunity to prepare your dock system for the seasonal shifts. Whether you’re in northern climates that experience freezing conditions or warmer regions where storms and heavy rains are the concern, proactive maintenance ensures your dock system is ready for whatever nature throws at it.
Below, we offer practical tips for maintaining your ShoreMaster Infinity RS7 and protecting it from the unique challenges of the transitional season and the colder months ahead.
Why Fall Maintenance Matters
While the Infinity RS7 features ShoreMaster’s signature dime-welded, all-aluminum construction for unparalleled strength, stability, and durability, it still requires proactive care to maintain peak performance. Fall can bring fluctuating water levels, increased debris, and colder temperatures that can take their toll on even the most durable waterfront systems.
Here are some unique advantages of maintaining your dock in the fall:
Storm Readiness: Fall coincides with the tail end of hurricane season, particularly in coastal regions such as Florida and the Gulf Coast. Proactive inspections help identify potential vulnerabilities, such as loose boards, rusted cleats, and unstable pilings, before late-season storms roll in.
Ideal Weather for Repairs: Cooler temperatures and lower humidity make fall perfect for sealing, staining, and structural work, as materials cure more effectively in mild conditions. And, should you require professional assistance, they’re more available during the offseason.
Winter Prep: Small issues, such as splintering wood or corroded hardware, can escalate over winter, leading to expensive fixes come spring. Proactive maintenance allows you to spot potential issues while preparing your dock for the harsher winter conditions.
Addressing minor issues during the offseason can preempt potential safety hazards and costly repairs while ensuring your floating dock system is primed for the boating season. Moreover, regular maintenance is often a requirement for warranty coverage. By making fall maintenance a part of your routine, you’re not only extending the life of your dock but also upholding your warranty and ensuring the safety of everyone who uses it.
Step 1 — Inspect the Infinity RS7 for Wear
Before you break out the cleaning tools, start with a thorough inspection. The RS7’s modular design makes this process more efficient since individual components can be examined and replaced without dismantling the entire system.
Dock Surface: Check the decking panels for cracks, warping, or loose planks. Fall debris, like leaves and branches, can accumulate on the surface and in gaps, causing staining or mildew growth if left unattended.
Connectors and Fasteners: Look for loose or missing bolts, screws, and connectors, along with any signs of corrosion. These components are essential to your dock’s structural integrity, especially as cold weather and moisture begin to take their toll.
Frame and Welds: Carefully inspect the dock frame and all welded components, looking for any signs of stress or cracking. Since these areas are crucial to the dock's stability, even minor issues should be addressed immediately to prevent further damage.
Anchoring System: Verify that your anchoring system is secure and can withstand fluctuating weather conditions. If necessary, reinforce the anchoring system to prevent the dock from shifting or drifting.
We recommend repeating this step before the start of the boating season to ensure your dock remains safe, stable, and fully operational before peak usage resumes.
Step 2 — Essential Tools and Supplies
Having the right tools and supplies on hand will make your fall dock maintenance much more efficient and effective. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:
Garden Hose: Pressure washers can be too powerful for general cleaning and may damage delicate surfaces and other sensitive parts of the dock. However, if you prefer using a pressure washer, keep the pressure below 600 PSI, and hold the tip at least a foot from the surface to avoid damaging the decking (BoatsGeek, n.d.).
Cleaning Solutions: Use eco-friendly dock cleaners that won’t harm the water and the surrounding ecosystem. We recommend using everyday household items, such as a soft brush, mild detergent mixed with water, baking soda, and white vinegar. In addition to being economical solutions, they’re highly effective for removing everything from dirt and grime to algae, mildew, and other stubborn stains.
Hand Tools: Gather the tools you used for assembling the Infinity RS7 to tighten bolts and screws on connectors, railings, and other dock accessories. We also recommend keeping extra bolts and screws on hand in case you need to replace anything.
Lubricants and Protectants: To prevent rust buildup, apply an eco-friendly, marine-grade lubricant on moving parts and hinges, and protective coatings on metal parts.
For more information on keeping your waterfront system in optimal condition, check out our blog on “Boat Dock Maintenance.”
Step 3 — Cleaning Your Dock
Cleaning your dock is one of the most important steps in fall maintenance. It ensures that debris, dirt, and other organic matter don’t cause staining, rotting, or mildew growth over the winter months.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to effectively cleaning your Infinity RS7:
Remove Debris: Start by removing leaves, twigs, and other debris from the dock surface. If left unattended, leaves and organic matter can stain the decking, trap moisture, and promote mold growth.
Wash: Clear out gaps and wash away dirt, grime, and marine growth on the decking panels and frame using your eco-friendly cleaning solution. Gently scrub surfaces with a soft brush, then rinse thoroughly with fresh water. For stubborn stains, try a paste made from baking soda and water, or a 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water. Let the solution sit for a few minutes before scrubbing.
Rinse Thoroughly: After scrubbing the entire dock, rinse it thoroughly with freshwater to remove all traces of the cleaning solution, as residue can degrade the decking.
Keep an eye out for any surface damage or loose components as you clean. Tighten loose screws, bolts, and connectors, and address any cracks or damage you find. Remember, tighten all nuts and bolts, but avoid over-tightening set screws, as this can strip threads or put unnecessary stress on the frame.
Step 4 - Long-Term Care for Winter
Depending on your climate and setup, your approach may differ.
Removing the Dock from the Water: In regions with freezing conditions, we recommend removing the RS7 from the water, as freeze damage voids applicable warranties. You can either remove each frame with the decking panels in place or remove the panels before detaching the frames. Stack panels on a flat surface, elevated off the ground to mitigate moisture buildup, and store them in a dry, covered space.
Leaving the Dock in the Water: In milder regions, you may leave the RS7 in place. However, we recommend protecting it with high-quality covers when not in use to shield it from snow, heavy rains, and UV rays.
These winter precautions help ensure your dock emerges in spring ready to use without any hitches.
Professional Maintenance Options
If you’re short on time or simply prefer to leave the work to the experts, your local ShoreMaster dealer is an excellent resource. Many ShoreMaster dealers offer professional dock maintenance services, including inspections, cleaning, and winterization. Authorized dock dealers are factory-trained to understand the unique engineering of the Infinity RS7, enabling them to spot issues that may not be obvious to the untrained eye.
In addition to ensuring everything is done correctly, professional servicing helps preserve applicable warranties.
Why Choose the Infinity RS7 for All Seasons
ShoreMaster has pioneered designs and technologies for over 50 years, setting the industry standard for docking solutions that not only look great but also perform even better. Our efforts have culminated in the Infinity RS7 – a robust, modular docking solution designed to perfectly complement your waterfront conditions and lifestyle throughout the changing seasons.
The RS7’s dock frames feature ShoreMaster’s signature dime-welded, all-aluminum construction for unparalleled strength, stability, and durability (Steven, n.d.). Aluminum-welded stringers run across individual dock frame sections, adding structural rigidity regardless of the dock configuration. To support the frames, the RS7 uses Infinity leg pockets and five-sided dock legs. This innovative design features two-way bracing for each leg pocket, which provides three points of contact for added stability.
With a range of dock section shapes and sizes, nine premium decking options, and the InfinityTrack accessory system, the Infinity RS7 is a docking solution that can be anything and everything you need it to be. Contact us today to learn more, or use the dealer locator tool below to get a list of authorized ShoreMaster dealers near you.
FAQs
Should I remove my Infinity RS7 every winter?
This will depend on your local climate and water conditions. In regions prone to ice formation, frost heave, or shifting currents, seasonal removal is strongly recommended to prevent structural damage and preserve warranty coverage. The RS7’s modular design makes disassembly and off-season storage more efficient.
What cleaning solutions are safe for docks?
Eco-friendly and biodegradable cleaners are the best choice for your dock and the surrounding aquatic ecosystem. A simple solution of mild soap and water is effective for general cleaning, while a paste of baking soda and vinegar can be used for more stubborn stains.
How often should I inspect dock hardware?
At a minimum, we recommend performing a thorough inspection before the beginning and at the end of each boating season. Additionally, inspect your dock hardware immediately following any extreme weather event, such as hurricanes, high wind storms, or flooding, as these conditions can compromise structural integrity, loosen fasteners, or cause hidden damage that may not be visible during regular use.
Can I leave decking panels attached during storage?
We recommend removing the decking panels before storing your dock for the winter. This allows for a more thorough cleaning and inspection and helps to prevent moisture from getting trapped between the panels and the frame.
References:
BoatsGeek (n.d.). Everything You Need To Know About Dock Maintenance
Rob Steven (n.d.) Weld Like a Pro: The Ultimate Guide to Stacking Dimes
