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Why are floating docks deteriorating, failing and sinking after 20-30 years?
a) Home owners don't build a garage for there car using a design and material that fails in less than 30 years then demolish and replace it.
b) Municipalities don't build Arena's, City Halls, Library's from a design and materials that last less then 30 years then demolish and replace.
c) Design and Technology of 75 and 100 years ago proves that structures can last 75 & 100 years.
d) An Ontario Marine Diving Contractor expressed his concern 7 years ago and has now published a report that identifies a design and material failure in one of the most dominate types of floating docks marketed for the last 25 years. (see Important Information, under failed structures, in Gallery).
e) Why has Private and Municipal Marina's who in many cases have in-house Engineering departments and endorse and stipulate systems that have component failure, or design faults as the only type of system that will be accepted when the record and history proves the life cycle is only 20-30 years.
What seems worse is Outside Consultants / Engineers hired by owners, endorse systems that only last 20-30 years, what seems lacking by Owners, Engineers & Consultants is the failure to learn from the Docking Industry failures, that is what has brought Crowedock to this point, our Failures, Mistakes, Repairs, Warranty Replacement Costs, and Experience compelled us to pursue a perfected design.
These are the Facts, Answers and Solutions.
"FACTS"
1) According to modern technology, metal structures are lasting indefinitely even in Salt Water!
2) It is not new, the History of Galvanizing goes back to 1742 and is found in almost every major application and industry where iron ore steel is used. The utilities, chemical process, pulp and paper, automotive, and transportation industries historically have made extensive use of galvanizing for corrosion control.
3) For over 150 years, galvanizing has had proven history of commercial success and a method of corrosion protection in a myriad of applications worldwide.
"OUR ANSWER"
To Private & Municipal Marina's and owners of private docking systems:
We have now perfected the design of a "Premium" docking system that will last indefinitely. This design was accomplished by using all components that have a proven life cycle exposure that will easily double and more than triple the Best Present Industry Standard Dock Life Cycle of 25 to 30 years.
An "American Marine Industry Business Development Consultant", "Richard Graves and Associates" confirm, "the most modern docks have a life expectancy of only 40 years with earlier structures having shorter lives".
This is particularly important to Marina's where the layout of the Main walkways extend up to 1,000 ft and contains Utilities, Hydro, Cable, Telephone and water that would have to be removed and or likely be replaced because of complete dock replacement.
"OUR SOLUTIONS"
1) Our system does not float on the water But In The Water and contains a min. of 12" of water ballast that provides a very stable docking unit. The importance of ballasted units is difficult to describe or rate as it relates to our docking system, however, crews of boats and tugs have a mandatory requirement for the taking on of water ballast for stability and Navigational Operation of their vessels. With a ballasted unit we require no water anchors for docks extending from shore up to 50ft, beyond 50ft the amount of anchours are minimal, and is determined by the exposure of the system to winds and boat traffic. The other advantage is the docks are very stable and work excellent as a wave break, be it from open water or boat traffic.
2) Our Docking units have 3 Major components:
1) A steel main frame, protected by a hot dipped galvanized application in accordance with American Galvanizing Association, given first time maintaince requirement of 90 to 100 years even in salt water (www.puremetal.com & www.aga@galvanizeit.org)
We manufacture the steel frames with our new unique lubricated hinge connections to accommodate multiple extensions and desired pier connections.
2) We use Dow Styrofoam Billets 10"x20"x96" that are secured within the steel frame, and this product has a zero water absorption (www.insulateyourhome.ca go to Applications, life Style, Floating Structure).
3) The steel frame is enclosed completely to protect the Styrofoam Billets from Rodents and contains the water ballast, the base is closed in with either IPE lumber that has a life span of over 80 years in water, or we can use High Density Polyethylene Resin Panels(HDPR / Puck Board Material) neither is effected by Rodents or exposure to ice and water, the underwater sideboards are of IPE Material and all nailing strips are of IPE. (www.ipedeckingsource.com).
The side boards and deck boards can be of IPE for long life or other types of lumber such as PT, Cedar which can be easily removed and replaced when they expire in 8 to 25 years depending or exposure.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS TO CONSIDER WITH OUR SYSTEM
1) Our Floatation units will never fail to the point the system will ever sink.
2) Floatation units can if required be replaced by regular maintaince workers.
3) The under water enclosure will never have to be replaced.
4) Our docking system will never be added to or contribute to the list of failed docking systems, because each component has a history of long life and never classified as an environmental waste as each component has the equal life cycle.
5) Fingers piers can be disconnected and relocated and stay in an upright position without rolling over or requiring special equipment to disconnect or reconnect.
6) The structural integrity of our system has been tested and perfected for 10 years and been exposed on lakes where no other floating dock system exists (Lake Simcoe) the Styrofoam billets has been used and proven (if protected) for over 20 years without failure.
COMMENTS:
Dock manufacturers of the past 30 years have had exciting and innovative idea's for floating docks, however most everyone including Crowedock has had one or more weak links (components) which doomed the life span of the system which equally had components of long life, amounting to a waist of steel, timbers and natural resources see "Failed Systems Section"
We invite prospective owners / buyers to view and scrutinize the structural integrity of these units for their application.
"OUR ANNOUNCEMENT"
We offer to provide design details from the smallest single dock installation to your Marina size installation, Terms and Financing can be arranged O.A.C.