How to Keep Dock from Freezing?

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The investment you put into building a dock is definitely not a small one. Therefore, you’d want to do everything to make it as durable as possible and ensure that it can withstand the harsh climate of the winter season.

How to keep dock from freezing? Follow these three points:

  1. Install a De-icing Unit Under Your Dock
  2. Choose the Best Time to Install Your De-icing Unit
  3. Decide How Long You Should Keep Your De-icing Unit Running

Our top 7 picks for dock de-icers are as follows:

  1. Kasco Marine 2400D025 Lake and Pond De-Icer – Click here to see it on Amazon – Our #1 Top Pick!
  2. Ice Eater Powerhouse ¾ HP – Click here to see it on Amazon
  3. Taylor Made Dock & Marina De-Icer
  4. Kasco Marine 3400D050 50-Foot Powercord Marine De-Icer
  5. Airmax SW20 System
  6. EasyPro Pond Products PA34W Rocking Piston Aeration System Kit with Quick Sink Tubing
  7. Aspen Aeration Systems Value Pond Aeration Kit

Some docks can be removed and stored to prevent them from getting damaged by ice. However, if your dock was constructed permanently, then the process of taking care of it is way different from how floating and removable docks are taken care of, specifically during the winter season.

So, let me give you a few helpful tips on how to keep your dock from freezing. Since there’s a practical way of preventing floating and removable docks from getting damaged by ice, let’s mainly focus on how to keep permanent docks from freezing.

Tips on How to Keep Dock from Freezing

The ultimate strategy to prevent freezing is to consistently maintain water movement right below the dock during the winter season. This will effectively prevent ice formation.

But how do you go about it? Here are some tips:

1. Install a De-icing Unit Under Your Dock

You need to install a circulator, an aerator, or any bubbler system under your dock that will allow continuous water movement. But, you might be wondering, what type of system are you supposed to purchase and install? Well, there are various systems available in the market today. Here are some of the most recommended ones:

a. Kasco Marine 2400D025 Lake and Pond De-Icer

This Lake and Pond De-Icer from Kasco Marine Inc. can push warm water from the bottom and up to the surface. It is easy to set up and is constructed with durable materials.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

This user-friendly de-icer is a good investment among boaters as it may not only be used to keep ice away from their dock during the winter season but may also be used to clear out algae during hot and sunny weather.

b. Ice Eater Powerhouse ¾ HP

This Ice Eater Powerhouse ¾ HP de-icing product features a cord length of 25 feet and a motor with 115 volts. Its thermostat can be customized to turn on only as needed automatically.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

There are de-icing units wherein additional hardware still has to be purchased and installed to melt existing ice effectively. This is not the case with the Ice Eater Powerhouse, as this is a ready-to-use product. It comes in a complete package and can be conveniently installed under the dock right after purchase.

c. Taylor Made Dock & Marina De-Icer

The Taylor Made Dock & Marina De-Icer is another preferred product among boaters due to its quality and cost-efficiency.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

As an advocate of a pollution-free environment, Taylor Made boasts of its product’s oil-free feature. It is also designed to eliminate corrosion or to withstand the harshness of the saltwater environment.

Its propeller and its motor are guaranteed to display high performance and high efficiency. It is known to be more energy-efficient compared to other products as well.

Unlike other de-icing units, the Taylor Made Dock & Marina De-Icer is considered a portable unit that can be efficiently installed and removed by a single person.

d. Kasco Marine 3400D050 50-Foot Powercord Marine De-Icer

Another recommended de-icing product from Kasco Marine Inc. is the Kasco Marine 3400D050 50-Foot Powercord Marine De-Icer.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

It is cheaper than the Kasco Marine 2400D025 Lake and Pond De-Icer but is nonetheless effective in keeping your dock free of ice.

Another difference between the 3400D050 and the 2400D025 models is that the former is made of aluminum while the latter is made of stainless steel. Despite such differences, both products are nonetheless durable.

The boaters who prefer this unit can attest to how big the open water area around their docks is produced and maintained while using the 3400D050 model. It is also impressive how the dock, the boathouse, and the boat are all free of any damage ultimately because of this product.

e. Airmax SW20 System

The Airmax SW20 System 115V 100’ 3/8” EasySet Airline is a bubbler system that creates water movement through its diffuser. The water under the dock is effectively agitated every time air is pumped, caused by the diffuser plates and the air compressor.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

This bubbler system does not come cheap, but some boaters prefer this over other systems because of its durability. Some even allow multiple diffusers to run all at the same time so that larger areas of open water are created. Boaters consider this product a good investment due to its cost efficiency in the long run.

f. EasyPro Pond Products PA34W Rocking Piston Aeration System Kit with Quick Sink Tubing

The EasyPro Pond Products PA34W Rocking Piston Aeration System Kit with Quick Sink Tubing has a maximum aeration capacity of 50 feet deep. It does an incredible job of producing both air flow and water movement for such a small pump.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

This EasyPro de-icer is also known for its durability. Boaters who own this type of unit have been using theirs for years and are said to be still running flawlessly.

g. Aspen Aeration Systems Value Pond Aeration Kit

The Aspen Aeration Systems Value Pond Aeration Kit includes a 1/4 horsepower oil-less rocking piston aerator, 100 feet weighted tubing, and a 7-inch self-sink diffuser.

It can be easily installed, works efficiently, and the amount of water it produces is impressive that it never fails to come as a surprise.

Click here to see it on Amazon.

Now that we have narrowed down your options into seven, it will be easier for you to choose the best de-icing product that will protect your dock, your boathouse, and your boat.

Assuming that you have already bought one, the next step, of course, is the installation. This process should not come as a difficult task for you as the abovementioned products are easy to install. Besides, each product comes with a very detailed manual too.

It is also best to immediately decide if you should install one or more de-icing units under your dock. If you are undecided, perhaps, you should take into consideration the following factors:

  • Determine the size of your dock. By merely checking the size of your dock, you will have an idea if you need more than one de-icer.
  • Determine the capacity of your de-icing unit. Sometimes, even if your dock area is eating up a lot of space, one de-icer might already be capable of keeping it from freezing. However, there are times when it’s the other way around – the dock may be small, but one de-icer might not have the capacity to prevent ice from forming. Therefore, it all depends on the unit’s specs.
  • Know your priorities. Which part of the dock is your priority? Do you also want to keep your boathouse free from ice? What about the water surface where your boat is? All these things should be ice-free, right?

This only means that if one de-icer is not capable of keeping your dock, your boathouse, and your boat safe all at the same time, then it is best that you install more than one unit.

2. Choose the Best Time to Install Your De-Icing Unit

So, to learn more about how to keep the dock from freezing, the next thing you have to know is: when is the best time to install your de-icing unit?

Some boaters install their de-icers when the water surface is already frozen. What they do is they auger a hole in the ice to create a space for the de-icer.

However, if you want to install it more conveniently and practically, you might want to install it early as the fall season. This is highly suggested, particularly if you will be installing more than one de-icer or bubbler system in your area.

Besides, preparing ahead of time will allow you to address issues, should there be any, even before the winter season arrives.

3. Decide How Long You Should Keep Your De-icing Unit Running

Another question that must be running in your head is, “How long should your de-icing unit be running?”

Of course, as long as there is ice, your unit has to be up and running. But if you are specifically asking whether or not your de-icing unit should be turned off once in a while during the winter season, well, the answer is yes, it should be – especially if you are concerned about your energy consumption and expenses.

The de-icing units available in the market today feature a thermostat that will allow you to customize the hours that your unit should be turned on and off. Of course, the timer should be set, depending on how cold the weather is in your area.

However, in most cases, boaters turn on their de-icing unit only for about an hour, every four hours.

Most of the time, boaters who own more than one de-icing unit allow their units to run alternately. That way, water movement is guaranteed to occur continuously and consistently.

Conclusion – How to Keep Dock from Freezing

So, let’s have a recap. The tips on how to keep dock from freezing are the following:

  1. Install a de-icing unit under your dock.
  2. Choose the best time to install your de-icing unit.
  3. Decide how long you should keep your de-icing unit running.

When it comes to choosing the best de-icing unit for you, we have narrowed down the choices into seven. They include the following:

  1. Kasco Marine 2400D025 Lake and Pond De-Icer Click here to see it on Amazon – Our #1 Top Pick!
  2. Ice Eater Powerhouse ¾ HP – Click here to see it on Amazon
  3. Taylor Made Dock & Marina De-Icer
  4. Kasco Marine 3400D050 50-Foot Powercord Marine De-Icer
  5. Airmax SW20 System
  6. EasyPro Pond Products PA34W Rocking Piston Aeration System Kit with Quick Sink Tubing
  7. Aspen Aeration Systems Value Pond Aeration Kit

Lastly, if you are not sure whether to install one or more de-icing units, here are some factors that you might want to consider:

  • Determine the size of your dock.
  • Determine the capacity of your de-icing unit.
  • Know your priorities.

You better start deciding now so you can install and try your unit/s before the winter season arrives!

Related reading:

Best Winter Boat Cover – Our Top 7 Picks