That beautiful body of water is lovely on its own, but will be taken to the next level when it has a sleek wooden dock stretching out into it. If there is any time you want to be solid on your feet, however, it is when you are walking out over water. This is when bridge washers come into play.

These large washers are equipped with a bearing surface that is larger than the average washer. This increased measurement prevents the bolt heads and nuts from placing excess stress onto the wood. Made of cast iron, they will withstand weathering quite well.

The first time to ensure that your construction supply is full is when you create the skeleton of posts in the water. It is evident that this part of the dock will receive unlimited weathering, causing the wood to soften with moisture and allowing slight movement amongst the parts. At this point you will want to keep a washer handy and place one with every bolt you use. Even if the post will primarily be based on land, the mud and silt can instigate changes to the wood, and it can be a risk to not properly secure the bolts with preemptive planning.

Once the posts are in place and you are working on the walkway, you are bound to notice even more the continuous abuse the wood is already taking from the seemingly gentle water around it. No matter the size of the wave and no matter the size of the spray or splash, the unending movement can take an already-softening piece of wood and destroy the stability quicker if the parts are not held in place strong and fast. When securing the walkway to its skeleton, you will want to ensure that your washer supply is adequate.

Finally, when you add on that handrail, you will want to make sure there is no chance of the wood shifting. Whether purely decorative or created for safety measures, there is no doubt someone will rest weight on it, creating varying amounts of stress upon the lumber time and time again. Wind, rain, snow or any of the other natural elements can be detrimental and may add to the pulling of the bolts from the wood. Once again, you will want to use bridge washers to secure every bolt and nut used to prevent them from pulling.

Working with wood projects can enhance landscapes and add a natural beauty to your surroundings. However, wood can also create shifting structures that, if not properly secured, can become dangerous over time. Ensure that all the pieces are properly secured and your project will safely stand for years to come.