Why Dock Bubblers (De-Icers) Matter on Long Beach Island During a Cold Winter

This winter has been a reminder that waterfront properties, especially bay and lagoonfront homes on Long Beach Island, face very different and often greater risks than inland homes.

Frozen bay-water and shifting ice can quietly cause serious and expensive damage to docks, bulkheads, pilings, drainage systems, and boat lifts.

When water freezes, the danger is not just the ice sitting still. The real issue comes with temperature swings. Ice expands as it freezes and contracts as it melts. Add wind, tides, and strong currents, it is only a matter of time for heavy sheets of ice pushing against fixed structures to cause damage.

That movement can lead to shifted or cracked pilings, separated or heaved bulkheads, twisted dock framing, bent boat lifts, damaged floating docks, burst dock pipes/drainage pipes, and even issues with dock wiring and lift motors. In more severe cases, ice can lift sections of a dock or push a bulkhead out of alignment. Many owners do not notice a problem until spring when they check on their property or something feels off launching a boat.

A dock bubbler, also known as a “de-icing” system, helps prevent this. It circulates slightly warmer water from below up to the surface, keeping water moving around docks, lifts, and bulkheads. That circulation prevents thick ice from forming directly against structures and reduces the pressure that causes damage.

While no system eliminates all risk, a properly installed bubbler significantly reduces the chances of costly winter damage. It can also help protect boat lift cables and motors, reduce stress on hardware, and improve overall water circulation in stagnant lagoons.

From a cost standpoint, the comparison is straightforward. Most residential dock bubbler systems range from about $800 to $2,000 dollars installed, depending on size and setup. Larger properties may cost more or require multiple bubblers.

Minor dock or piling repairs can easily run from a couple thousand up to and over $10,000, with full dock repairs/replacements ranging from $5,000-to well over $30,000 depending on size and materials. Boat lift replacement often falls between $8,000 and $20,000. Full bulkhead replacement on Long Beach Island can range from $25,000 to $100,000+ depending on frontage, materials, and location. Bottom line, dock and bulkhead work is not cheap.

If you are not here full time and cannot monitor conditions yourself, consider asking a trusted neighbor, local contractor, or property manager to periodically check that your bubbler system is running properly during extended cold stretches. On an island where many waterfront homes are worth millions, a relatively simple preventative system like this can save you thousands, and potentially far more, in repairs down the line. I promise, taking that “annoying” drive down to the island in the winter is worth it for many reasons!

For waterfront homeowners, winter protection is part of responsible ownership. For sellers, having a bubbler system in place signals proactive maintenance. For buyers, asking about winter protection and bulkhead condition should be part of due diligence.

Waterfront living is one of the biggest draws of Long Beach Island. Protecting that investment, especially after a cold winter like this one, is critical. If you have questions about dock condition, bulkhead age, or winter protection systems on LBI, I am always happy to walk you through what to look for.