When it comes to home maintenance, it is natural to have several questions. How often should I pressure wash my roof? Do I need to redo my driveway? Should I paint my house chartreuse? The issue with this is that everyone has their own opinion on these matters and the answers depend on several factors. For example, here in South Florida, one of the age-old questions for waterfront property owners is: how do I know when I should get my seawall assessment? Here at Sea Me Dive, we have the answers, and the good thing is that we have been doing this for over 20 years, so we know what we are talking about! Let us look at 5 of the top signs that you should get a Seawall Inspection in South Florida.
1. You Haven’t Had A Seawall Stability Check in a While (Or Ever)
The first sign that you should get a seawall inspection is that you have not had one in a while or ever. At Sea Me Dive, we recommend to our clients that they get a seawall assessment at least every 2 to 3 years. Depending on the wake impact in your area, you may want to consider getting an annual inspection done. While you may not realize it, a lot can happen to your seawall in the course of a year. In Florida, with the heavy rainy season, tropical storms, and hurricanes, there can be a lot of activity in the water. Also, whenever you get a new property, in addition to getting the standard house and roof inspections, you should get a seawall inspection in South Florida.
A bad seawall can make or break your decision to purchase! A certified commercial diver with experience in seawall work can effectively tell you the status of your wall and let you know of damages that could potentially develop into larger, more costly issues. Regular inspections by certified, experienced commercial divers allow you to know about the damage before it gets out of hand.
2. You See Damages to the Wall
This one may seem pretty obvious, but you should get a waterfront property inspection if you see any damage. An inspection can determine the extent of the damage and the course of action that should be taken to remedy the issue(s). Even seemingly minor damages can be the result of more significant problems. Things like hairline cracks and spalling might appear minor but can indicate anything from strong wake action to a wall in crisis. With these things in mind, it is always better to be safe than sorry. If you see damage, schedule a seawall inspection in South Florida today!
3. You are Getting Sinkholes
Sinkholes in your yard can result from a variety of causes. If you are finding sinkholes in your yard for seemingly no reason, you might want to consider getting a seawall stability check. Your seawall could leak sediment through holes or cracks in the wall, failing radiuses, unfiltered weep holes, and other places. Because of this, it is important to check your wall, as it could be the cause of your yard woes.
4. Storm Season
In Florida, we have an intense storm season. Hurricane season lasts nearly half the entire year! This does not even include the rainy season. All this activity in the water can impact your wall. Even a wall in great condition can experience damage in a severe storm. Storm surges, floods, turbulent wakes, and more can cause all types of damage and potential breakage. Because of this, it is crucial to get ahead of the curve by getting a seawall inspection in South Florida before the storm season starts.
5. Your Neighbor Has an Issue
Has your neighbor complained about having issues with their seawall? If so, you might want to go ahead and get a seawall inspection in South Florida as well. Both walls are impacted by the same water conditions on both sides of the wall. If you do the same amount of maintenance and take similar measures to care for the wall, you will likely have similar damage. If you have not noticed any issues, then this might be seen as an overreaction, but it is our belief at Sea Me Dive that you should always try to lean toward the safest option.
Key Points & Checklist For Seawall Inspection in South Florida
Seawalls are important parts of the properties at the waterfront and a timely inspection is must. Here is a list of signs that indicate a Seawall Assessment is needed-
- Seawall Assessment schedule (once a year)
- Visible damage
- Sinkholes or seepage
- Storm season
- Complaining neighbor
Sea Me Dive knows that seawall inspections are an essential part of routine maintenance and care. They let you know about the safety and security of not just your seawall, but your property as a whole. Contact Sea Me Dive today to schedule your seawall inspection.