As peak shipping season approaches, loading docks feel the pressure. Busy bays, tight schedules, and carrier coordination can quickly fall apart if your dock equipment isn’t ready. The best time to prepare isn’t during the rush, it’s now.

This guide helps warehouse, distribution, and retail operations across Austin, Houston, and beyond get ahead of the curve with a checklist covering dock levelers, seals, bumpers, restraints, and more.

6 to 8 Weeks Out: Walk the Dock and Prioritize

Before freight volumes spike, take time to walk each bay.

• Inspect for bent lip plates, slow hydraulics, torn dock seals, and cracked bumpers.
• Flag high-cycle doors and any bay tied to key carriers or time-sensitive routes.
• Schedule your loading dock service or repair now, especially for structural or load-bearing components.

LGA Garage Door provides loading dock maintenance and commercial overhead door repair across Central Texas and the Greater Houston area. Getting on the calendar early helps avoid longer wait times later.

Dock and Plates

Your dock levelers are the backbone of safe trailer interface. Don’t let a worn spring or stuck lip cause a preventable delay.

Safety Systems

• Verify interlocks: Your door should not open unless the trailer is properly secured.
• Check operating range: If trailer deck heights vary widely, consider edge-of-dock solutions for overflow bays.

Signs of Needed Repair

Oil leaks, sagging lips, cracked curb angles, or slow performance are clear cues to schedule dock leveler repair or replacement.

Dock Seals and Shelters

A tight seal makes all the difference in employee comfort and energy efficiency, especially in climate-controlled or food-handling environments.

What to Check

• Compression seals: Look for light leaks, tears, and foam that won’t rebound. Prioritize worn head pads to stop water ingress.
• Dock shelters: Confirm strike marks line up correctly on trailer contact. Inspect for curtain chafing and damaged fiberglass framing.
• Energy savings: Well-sealed bays reduce heat loss, keep pests out, and reduce HVAC strain.

Dock Bumpers

Dock bumpers absorb thousands of pounds of impact every shift. If they’re worn down or misaligned, your building takes the hit.

Checklist

• Thickness and projection: Ensure bumpers meet OEM specs so trailers never touch the building.
• Bumper type: Use laminated rubber for general bays; choose steel-faced for abrasive environments or yard jockey operations.
• Anchoring: Replace corroded fasteners and any bumper worn down more than ⅓ its original thickness.

Vehicle Restraints

Prevent early pull-aways and trailer creep by making sure your vehicle restraints are fully operational.

Inspection Steps

• Cycle through manual and hydraulic units with both empty and loaded trailers.
• Confirm light indicators, control panel alerts, and audible warnings work.
• Check hook engagement with ICC/RIG bars. Realign or replace bent hooks or tired springs.

Safety Integration

Restraints should be interlocked with dock levelers and doors for a clear red/green status. This reduces human error and ensures safer loading.

Doors, Tracks, and Operators

Don’t overlook your overhead doors, they’re essential for safety, security, and cycle performance.

Tasks by Door Type

• Sectional doors: Inspect cables, rollers, bearings, and hinges. Align and lubricate all hardware.
• Rolling steel and high-speed doors: Check guide wear, barrel assemblies, and bottom-edge sensors.
• Cycle load planning: Schedule commercial garage door maintenance now before your cycle counts climb.

Lighting, Signage, and Walking Surfaces

The small details matter just as much during peak season.

To-Dos

• Lighting: Replace broken dock arms and aim LEDs to eliminate dark trailer interiors.
• Signage: Post clear load limits, restraint instructions, and pedestrian routes.
• Surface safety: Repaint worn striping, refresh non-slip coatings, and remove trip hazards.

Spare Parts and Emergency Tools

Stock common failure points now so downtime doesn’t disrupt operations.

Suggested Inventory

• Springs, rollers, lip assist shocks, cables, bottom bars
• Hydraulic oil, lubricants, anchor hardware, spare photo eyes
• Dock light heads, LOTO kits, extra wheel chocks

Training and Peak Readiness

Even the best equipment fails when procedures aren’t followed.

Pre-Season Refreshers

• Hold toolbox talks on lockout/tagout, dock light use, and proper restraint confirmation.
• Standardize trailer arrival and departure checklists.
• Post emergency contacts for after-hours loading dock service and door repair.

When to Call a Pro

Don’t wait until a failure stops your line. Call LGA if you notice:

• Leveler lips that won’t extend or hold
• Visible weld damage in the pit
• Recurring light or water leaks at seals
• Vehicle restraints that misfire or false-engage
• Doors that drag, track out of alignment, or show fault codes

Serving Houston, Austin, and Beyond

LGA Garage Door provides expert loading dock installation, repair, and commercial door service throughout the region, including Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Houston, The Woodlands, Katy, Cypress, and Sugar Land.

Whether you need seasonal service or a full dock overhaul, we’re ready to help. Book your pre-peak inspection or request a quote for loading dock service today.