South Florida is known for its lush landscapes, sunny skies, and tropical nature. With a tropical climate comes tropical weather and the challenge that it brings. The sky can be clear and blue one minute and the next minute there is a raging storm with strong winds and torrential downpours.
These adverse weather conditions can lead to high hydrostatic load pressure on marine structures like seawalls (the barrier between a body of water and adjacent land).
Seawalls are constructed to prevent flooding, encroachment, and erosion which can be caused by water activity.
When constructing a seawall there are numerous factors that need to be taken into consideration such as the condition of the land, the level of the water, the necessary safety regulations as well as the seawall elevation requirements, to name but a few.
A team of professionals determines the angle, material, and measurements that will yield the ideal protection and draw up the engineering plans accordingly.
Seawalls are built with different materials based on the unique factors of every property. One popular material is concrete, which will typically be implemented on bodies of water with strong wakes and heavy vessel traffic. It is one of the most resilient seawalls available. Coral rock is a more porous material that, once installed, needs to be sealed to become more impervious. More commonly, however, seawalls are constructed from steel sheets or aluminum sheets, which are sturdy protection, much easier to construct, and can be modified as necessary. All Seawalls typically require weep holes, which allow water to flow out from the upland side, thereby reducing the hydrostatic pressure on the wall and preventing the seawall from “bending” or completely failing.
Sea Me Dive inspects hundreds of waterfront properties every year. Our professional team will always dive into the water and observe both the upland and below-water conditions of the seawall. When we can and of course only if needed, we will suggest a repair plan that will restore older seawalls and give you peace of mind for the coming years, saving you the cost of a new construction. In certain seawalls, and usually, due to lack of maintenance, a new seawall will be your only option. We will help you to determine the perfect one for you and recommend the options available in South Florida.
