Often neglected by property owners, seawalls are the most crucial boundary of your waterfront property. They age slowly and rarely give any hints that they’re failing.

If addressed, a seawall can succeed within 25 to 30 years. This can obstruct your property and affect neighboring properties, as well.

Professionalism

Coastal defense structures like seawalls protect shoreline properties from erosion and prevent damage to nearby buildings and homes. However, seawalls require periodic inspections to document deterioration, and pre-emptively perform repairs. Regular reviews help extend the seawall’s helpful service life and reduce the need for replacement.

Choosing the right and professional seawall repair contractor is essential to protect your waterfront property. While working with professionals is expensive, they will save you a lot of money in the long run.

A poorly maintained seawall can fail and cause significant and costly damage to your home, yard, and the surrounding environment. Fortunately, you can safeguard your property by hiring the best and most qualified seawall repair contractors. You can even turn your failing seawall into a valuable selling feature of your home.

Experience

A seawall is a crucial investment for waterfront property owners. It helps prevent the body of water your property borders from encroaching onto land otherwise subject to erosion and loss of real estate value over time. A seawall also provides a barrier that protects your home, roads, and properties from storm surge flooding during bad weather conditions.

A failing seawall is a big problem that requires immediate attention. Everyday waves and tidal cycles carry away sand and soil that supports the seawall, causing cracking of slabs, exposed steel rebar, and even structural collapse of the wall itself.

Injecting polyurethane, putting carbon fiber patches on cracks, and cleaning out weep holes are cheaper than tearing down a seawall and rebuilding it completely. The best way to avoid the costly consequences of a failing seawall is to do regular inspections and promptly repair any evident damage, like bulkhead repair. Doing so will save you money in the long run and keep your property safe and in good condition.

Reputation

The ebb and flow of water, the tides, and the effects of weather constantly challenge a seawall’s integrity. Left untreated, minor damage can become a significant issue requiring costly repair or replacement. A damaged seawall is not only a safety hazard but also detracts from property value and the overall visual appeal of your waterfront.

The first step in addressing issues with your seawall is assessing it by a professional marine contractor. Look for signs of erosion like hairline cracks in the seawall cap, soil settling causing tilting or sinking, or rust on metal components.

Other more severe issues to watch out for are frequent waves overtopping the seawall, visible gaps between the concrete slabs, or a sudden deterioration of the entire seawall. In these cases, contacting a preferred marine contractor as soon as possible is essential to mitigate the damage and avoid further erosion. A good seawall repair contractor will use their knowledge of a manufacturer’s geotechnical engineering requirements to identify ‘Modes of Failure’ and select the right solution application procedures for your unique situation.

Insurance

Seawalls, or break walls, are highly effective structures to prevent erosion on properties bordering lakes, rivers, oceans, and bays. Typically made of concrete, these structures deter shoreline and coastal flooding while stopping the loss of land. They can make living on waterfront property a more comfortable experience while increasing its value.

Licensed marine contractors are the best option when it comes to the inspection and repair of these structures. They can offer valuable insight into the current condition of a seawall, its remaining life expectancy, and estimate its eventual replacement costs.

It is essential to take the time to walk your seawall regularly and look at it closely for any evidence of failure. Small hairline cracks in the seawall cap are usually a non-issue, but any larger cracks or areas of weakness should be addressed immediately. Additionally, it’s a good idea to keep the seawall free of debris and vegetation as these can add weight to the structure, straining it over time.

Jane