Dock Builders in Lido Key, FL

On Lido Key, the part of a dock that wears out first is usually the part you cannot see well: the pilings. As dock builders working on the bay side of the key, we spend a lot of our time here replacing piles, re-capping them and rebuilding the decks they carry. Lido is a barrier island on the Gulf. In 1926 a causeway built by John Ringling linked it to St. Armands Key, and today the John Ringling Causeway carries traffic to the mainland.

How pilings fail

Wood piles in salt water lose their strength in a predictable band: right around the tide line and just below it, where wetting and drying, marine borers and abrasion all work at once. A pile can look solid above the water and be badly thinned a foot down. We check each one by sounding and by eye at low tide, and we measure how much section is left before calling it.

Replacement options

• Full replacement: pull or cut the old pile and drive a new one beside or in place of it
• Sistering: add a new pile alongside a weakened one and transfer the load
• Wraps and jackets: protect a pile that is still sound from further wear

The right answer depends on how many piles are affected and how old the rest of the dock is. If more than a few are failing, it may be time to rebuild the dock on new piles.

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City rules on the bay

Lido Key is within the City of Sarasota, so city zoning applies. The zoning code sets its own dock limits on length, area and side setbacks, and the city's dock checklist caps decking at 5.0 feet above mean high water. Replacing pilings under an existing dock is a different scope from building a new one, but both may need a permit, so we check with the city before we drive anything.

Slow water around the key

The state manatee rule lists the waters around Lido Key as a year-round slow speed zone, with a 25 mph limit in the Lido Key main channel. Slow traffic is good news for pilings: less wake means less pounding on the structure.

Floating additions and lifts

Once the piles are sound, many Lido owners add to the dock rather than just restoring it. A lift keeps a boat clear of the water and the barnacles, and a floating section can give kayaks and paddleboards a low, stable launch. Both add load or attachment points to the dock, which is one more reason to start with the pilings. We plan any additions at the same time as the piling work so you are not opening up the same structure twice.

When to call

The easiest time to catch a failing pile is before it fails: a dock that has started to sway, a cap that has shifted, or decking that has developed a low spot. If you notice any of those, set up a low-tide visit and we will tell you what is going on and what it will take to fix.

Decks and hardware

New piles often come with new caps, stringers and decking. We use stainless or hot-dipped hardware suited to salt air and lay out decking with gaps that drain and let light through. Call (941) 213-5801 to set up a low-tide inspection.