Any waterfront property owner knows just how vital a well-constructed, and well-maintained seawall is to the value and integrity of their property. Whether you’re a homeowner or developer, protecting your property against storm surges, corrosion, deterioration and damage can be one of the most stressful aspects of waterfront living. However, there are precautions that can be taken to protect your property against these common problems whether your seawall was built five, or 25 years ago.
How to Help Extend the Life of Your Seawall
As a leader in marine construction, we have helped countless homeowners and developers extend the life of their seawalls using some of these common types of seawall repairs.
Make Sure Your Well Point Drainage System is Working Properly
A well point drainage system is a series of well points placed along a trench, all connected to a header which is attached to a pump. This type of drainage system can be installed at the site of an existing seawall and can help prolong the life of your seawall by alleviating pressure build up on your seawall that may cause future damage to or weakening of your structure.
Repair and Properly Maintain Secondary Anchors
A secondary anchor, if installed and maintained correctly, can extend the life of your seawall by 10 plus years. Used as a supplement to an existing, possibly failing/failed, anchor, secondary anchors typically consist of a one-inch diameter coal tar epoxy coated steel rods (often referred to as tie back rods), encased in PVC, anchored with a concrete anchor block (often referred to as a deadman).
Repair and Replace Caps and Tie Backs as Necessary
Repairing or replacing these elements on your seawall can be vital in extending the life of your existing seawall. A replacement cap can be installed with limited disruption to the surrounding structure, and can not only help increase the strength of your structure, but also improve the curb appeal of your property. Typically, a little more effort is needed to repair or replace a tie back rod, but doing this will help stabilize your seawall and provide added strength in dealing with the elements your wall is up against every day.
Check for Deteriorating Grouting Joints
A deterioration in the joints of your seawall can allow water to flow in where it’s not supposed to be, causing erosion and compromising the integrity of your structure. Repairing these joints using a chemical compound to fill in the weaknesses allows for a much smoother and faster repair of your seawall than many other methods. Instead of taking months to repair your wall, possibly costing as much as it would to just replace it, new grouting joints can help extend the life of your seawall, saving you time and money in the long run.
Gibson Marine Construction Can Help You Extend the Life of Your Seawall
Protecting your property’s seawall is just as important as protecting your home and safety. To preserve this vital structure, contact us to see how we can extend the life of your seawall through seawall repairs, possibly even increasing the value of your property! Visit our Contact Us page, or call us directly at (727) 942-3111.
