Seawall Inspections & Repairs. innovative marine construction solutions

A seawall is a structure or barrier between your property and the adjacent waterway. This can be a lake, retention pond, river, canal, or the ocean itself. These types of N.W.S (near water structures) are what keeps the water away from your property (upland areas) and keeps the property from being overtaken by the water.

Due to the climate challenges that we are faced with (increased storm activities, a considerable rise of the ocean, and a rise in King tides) there has been a direct effect on all communities living close to water ways. We are constantly monitoring and upgrading the infrastructure, preparing for the next big one…

There are many types of material used for seawalls. In the southeast region of the U.S., the most popular types include Concrete pre-stressed panel tongue and groove, Coral Rock, Sheet Piling (vinyl, aluminum or steel), and Riprap rock embankments. The best method or material for a given property is determined by a set of factors that are unique to each property.

The concrete pre-cast structures are often used in areas with a lot of water activity (strong wakes, currents heavy vessel traffic). It is a series of prefabricated concrete sections that are inserted in place and bound together with a poured in place concrete bulkhead cap to form a structurally resilient barrier.

The older method of coral rock structures was popular in the first half of the 20^th century, when canals were being dredged. The coral rock is a built with mortar and usually is angled towards the land mass as it does not have vertical support pilings. It has a natural look but requires more maintenance than concrete panel walls. It is relatively porous, so it needs to be skim-coated with hydraulic concrete periodically, something that is not required with other type of seawalls.

Sheet piling structures are a series of interlocking barrier sheets made of different materials (vinyl, aluminum, or steel sheets) set up in a row and driven into the sediment. Once sheets are secured into the berm there are a few options to anchor the top section, either with a supporting frame, ledger beam, or a poured-in-place concrete cap to allow structural continuity.

Riprap rock actually refers to two distinct styles. It can either refer to rocks being strategically piled in a way to reinforce the existing wall/act as an embankment wall, or it can refer to bags of concrete that are laid down in a staggered pattern with steel rebar stakes that are then driven into the bags to hold them into place and anchor them into the sediment. Once the concrete cures it becomes a solid wall.

Structures are usually supported with some form of anchoring system like Tie-back rods, batter piling, or pin pilings. The anchors are there to keep the structure vertically plumb.

Many of the original seawalls of Fort Lauderdale and Miami are now roughly 50-60 years old and are close to the end of their serviceable life. If they have not been properly maintained over the years then they are likely well beyond saving. At this point many of those original seawalls have already been replaced. The new construction, if done by a professional company, can last 70-80 years. This is because of technological advancements in the material used.

The first step in maintaining your seawall is to have a seawall expert take a look at it and give you an assessment on where things stand. Many homeowners choose to conduct an annual inspection of their walls to avoid surprises or the gradual build-up of a problem. There are many components of a seawall which must be maintained on a regular basis to optimize the effectiveness and lifespan of your wall. An annual report will point out certain areas that need attention right now and others that can wait a while. Included in the report will be an estimate on the cost of these repairs.

Yes. Seawalls can be repaired- if the seawall is not too far gone. A seawall must be given regular maintenance, just like your car, to keep it healthy. If a seawall is neglected for too long it will begin to break down, slowly at first, until it reaches a point of no return and a new one must be built to replace it. The average cost of a seawall on an active waterway (e.g. a canal or the intracoastal) is around $800-$1,000 per linear foot. A 100-foot property can be looking at a new $100,000 seawall. It pays to invest in ongoing maintenance.

Of course. A proper contractor will review your options with you and explain how the repairs can be done. Some issues may be too severe and will require full replacement but more often than not a repair is possible.