How to Fix a Dock Leak: A DIY Adventure with My Son

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Picture this: you’re sipping coffee, planning a day on the water, when your neighbor calls with bad news—your dock is leaking. That’s exactly how my morning started. Last night, we were cruising at 7:00 PM, everything fine. This morning? Water spraying everywhere. Not the wake-up call I wanted, but as a DIY yacht guy, I’m no stranger to rolling up my sleeves. Plus, the city might refund us for the water loss once we fix it, so let’s dive into how my son and I tackled this dock leak in true DIY fashion.

Step 1: Stop the Flow

First things first—turn off the water. No sense letting more of it escape while we figure out the plan. At the base of the dock, there’s a valve that’s your best friend in a situation like this. A quick twist, and the geyser stopped. Crisis averted… for now. With the water off, I could see the culprit: a PVC pipe shooting water sideways where it had popped out of a fitting. Not catastrophic, but definitely annoying.

Step 2: Hardware Store Run

With the leak identified, my son and I hopped in the truck and headed to the hardware store. The shopping list was short and sweet: PVC glue (the Rain or Shine kind that works even if things are a bit wet), a couple of couplings, and a piece of PVC pipe just in case. I also grabbed my Sawzall, though I was hoping we wouldn’t need it. Total cost? Under $20. Compare that to a plumber’s bill, and we’re already winning.

Step 3: Getting to Work

Back at the dock, we maneuvered the kayak off the jet dock to get access to the pipe. Once we got a closer look, the fix looked even simpler than I thought. The pipe had just slipped out of its fitting—no cuts needed, just a good reglue. But simple doesn’t mean sloppy. The key to a solid PVC repair is preparation. We made sure the pipe was as dry as possible, even though the glue can handle some moisture. Paper towels were our MVP here, catching drips so we didn’t get any primer or glue in the water.

Step 4: The Glue Game

Here’s where the magic happens. PVC glue isn’t just sticky—it chemically welds the pipe together. But you’ve got to do it right. Start with primer on both the pipe and the fitting. Let it sit for about 30 seconds until it’s tacky. Then slather on the blue goo (that’s the technical term, right?) generously on both surfaces. Slide the pipe into the fitting, give it a twist to spread the glue, and hold it for a few seconds. Done right, this joint is stronger than the pipe itself.

We used Rain or Shine glue, which is forgiving if there’s a little water, but I still took the time to dry everything as much as possible. Rushing this step is a recipe for another leak, and I wasn’t about to make that mistake.

Step 5: The Waiting Game

Some folks say you can test PVC repairs right away, but I’m not that brave. We gave it a solid hour to cure, which gave me time to pull off some speaker covers and tinker at the helm while my son and I chatted about our boating plans. Living next to a marina, we had a front-row seat to an aggregate barge chugging by and the hum of the cement plant down the bayou. It’s moments like these that make DIY fixes feel like part of the adventure.

Step 6: Testing the Fix

Time to see if our handiwork held up. To test the repair, I opened the low-point drain valve at the bottom of the dock first. Here in northwest Florida, we get the occasional freeze, so this valve helps prevent pipe damage. With the drain open, I turned the main water valve back on. Then, we walked out to the dock, closed the drain valve, and listened as the system pressurized. The moment of truth: no drips, no sprays, just a dry, happy dock.

Lessons Learned

• Take your time: Drying the pipe and priming properly makes all the difference. A few extra minutes now saves hours of rework later.
• Work with your crew: Doing this with my son wasn’t just practical—it was fun. Plus, he’s learning skills that’ll last a lifetime.
• DIY pays off: The whole repair took about two hours and saved us $300–$400 compared to hiring a pro. That’s $150–$200 an hour for my time. Not bad!

This fix wasn’t just about saving money—it was about getting back on the water faster. By noon, we were ready to fire up the boat and enjoy the day. The dock’s back in business, and I got to share a morning of problem-solving with my son. If you’re facing a similar leak, grab some PVC glue, channel your inner DIY dock guy, and get it done. Got a dock repair story of your own? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear how you tackled it!

Until next time, keep the lines tight and the water where it belongs.

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