Gibson Marine Construction

Rebuilding After Hurricane Irma: Seawall and Dock Repair

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From flattening complete communities in Key West to record flooding in Jacksonville, Hurricane Irma left a path of damage and destruction as she bulldozed her way through the state of Florida. Damage estimates attributed to the hurricane are all over the board, but the experts do seem to agree on one thing: Hurricane Irma will be among the costliest hurricanes of all time.

Rebuilding and Repairing the Damage from Hurricane Irma

Florida communities will be recovering from Hurricane Irma related damage for months to come. As the damage recovery effort continues and it comes time to focus on your dock and seawall repairs, call on the experts at Gibson Marine Construction.

Seawall Damage Due to Hurricanes

When a seawall is built, seawall construction experts must take into account the pressure being exerted on a seawall by the water it is protecting the property from. They must also account the pressure exerted on the seawall by the land and dirt behind it. Keeping the pressure balance is key to quality seawall construction.

Many people would assume that seawall damage by hurricanes would be due to the surges of water coming toward the land. But that assumption is incorrect. Most seawall damage from hurricanes happens before the water surge, when the water is sucked out away from land. The pressure of the land and dirt combined with the pressure of water rushing outward, and the lack of support by the water on the other side of the wall creates too much pressure being exerted in a single direction. This can cause a seawall to crack or even crumble.

Seawall Inspection and Repairs

Since the water often returns to normal levels before property owners are able to inspect the seawall this damage can be hidden. So even if your property wasn’t flooded during Hurricane Irma, she could still have caused damage to your seawall. Get your seawall inspected for damage. It is better to error on the side of caution and ensure your seawall is in proper working order before the next hurricane heads your way.

Dock Damage and Repair

By now, we have all seen an assortment of photos featuring overturned and damaged boats due to Hurricane Irma. And all too often the docks they were anchored against suffered some storm damage as well.

So while your boat is undergoing any clean up or repair efforts, don’t forget to schedule the same type of treatment for your dock. Have your dock inspected for damage and make the repairs necessary to get your dock back to working order. That way you can relax knowing your dock is a safe place for your family to enjoy.

Gibson Marine Construction: Fast, Efficient, Professional Dock and Seawall Repair Services

Are you in need of professional seawall and dock repair services? Gibson Marine Construction is the company you can rely on. With over 30 years of experience, these professionals can be trusted to ensure your seawall and dock repairs are done right.

Is Your Deck or Dock in Need of Repair?

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One of the advantages of living in the Sunshine State is gorgeous, warm weather, almost year-round. While our northern neighbors are busy shoveling snow, and bundling up, we’re gassing up the boat and slathering on some sunscreen. However, living on paradise’s doorstep can sometimes have its downsides. The intense heat, daily summer showers, sun rays and occasional hurricane all have the potential to do some damage to your property. If you’re not proactive in the maintenance of your outdoor spaces, what seems like normal wear a tear can easily turn into a much bigger, and more expensive, problem. Below, we’ve compiled some of our favorite tips for keeping your backyard deck in tip-top shape, and ready to party! After all, isn’t the back deck your favorite room in the house?

1. Wash Your Deck: This one may seem obvious, but how often should you be washing your deck, and what’s the best way to do it? At a minimum, your deck should be washed once a year. The easiest way to do this is by pressure washing it, after clearing it of all furniture and debris, of course! If you don’t have access to a pressure washer, you can also clean your deck using a deck cleaning solution, a roller or sprayer scrub brush and a hose. This process may take a little longer, but can help rid your deck of unsightly mold, mildew and other stains. Because you want to give your deck plenty of time to try, if you are having a party, we recommend cleaning your deck several days in advance.

2. Sand and Seal: If your deck needs a little more loving than its annual cleaning, this step could help restore it to its former glory and keep its status as your favorite room in the house for many years to come. After you’ve cleaned your deck (and let it dry), you’ll want to lightly sand the deck to remove any splinters or defects before applying your chosen seal. And when it comes to choosing a seal, the options abound! Finish options include: clear sealer, toner, semi-transparent stain, or solid stain. Again, you’ll want to give yourself a couple days to complete this process before inviting any guests over, but once completed, your newly-stained deck is sure to be the life of the party!

3. Become a Detective: Regularly inspecting the condition of your deck can help prevent any damage from becoming a bigger problem than it has to be. Houselogic recommends that you do this once a year, paying close attention to areas within six-inches of the ground or close to the water. During your inspection, you should: look for signs of rot, inspect the ledger, check the joists, posts and beams, check for cracks or rotten decking boards, and check the railing. If you discover damage you weren’t aware of and don’t feel comfortable repairing it yourself, you should always consult with a professional rather than ignoring the problem. Better safe than sorry!

4. Replace It: Whether the damage your deck has sustained is too much to repair, or you’re ready to replace your wooden deck or dock with longer-lasting materials such as Extruded PVC, or Composite Decking, replacing your deck can provide a solution for which you’ll be thanking yourself for the next 25 years… or more!

As your marine construction experts, we have designed, built and repaired countless decks, docks and other waterfront property structures and can help you decide which option is right for you. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you get your backyard deck party-ready!

10 of Our Favorite Dock Maintenance Tips

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Squeaky wheels get the grease. That’s as true in life as it is in boating. So what happens to the structures we take for granted? Like boat docks?

We walk across them, our boats bob alongside them, but they can easily go ignored – until it’s too late. Or at least very expensive to repair.

Regardless of the quality of decking materials that constitute your dock, it requires maintenance – year round.

As a marine construction company, we know the value of professional inspections and dock maintenance. We also recognize the importance of property owners knowing what to look for and to be aware of any changes.

You see that dock every day, you are therefore the best resource to ensure its preservation.

Here are a couple of our favorite Dock Maintenance Tips:

  1. Take pictures periodically – even with your phone, to keep an eye on more subtle changes.
  2. Keep a schedule – we put everything in our calendars, so along with A/C filter swap outs and smoke detector battery changes, assign dates. Time gets away.
  3. Look at everything: fasteners, hardware, bolts; don’t forget stairs and ladders.
  4. Don’t skimp – if you do take on replacing a fastener yourself, make certain it is rated for the outdoors. No temporary fix with a sheetrock screw is near good enough. For the structure itself, if not a composite like PVC, pressure treated wood is all that should be used.
  5. Anything missing or damaged, like a bolt or a plank will only put more pressure on the rest of the dock. “Minor” repairs will always add up to major ones.
  6. Keep the surface clean – when it comes to wood docks, you can actually be overzealous. If you do power wash, remember it is not concrete or vinyl siding you are blasting. You don’t want a dock so clean you can see right through it!
  7. Sanding the dock – if you’ve ever tried to refinish a hard wood floor, you know how an improper technique can cause you to lose control of the machine and result in an unwanted dip in your expensive floor. The same is true when sanding your dock – you can overdo it and ultimately cause more harm than good. It bears repeating here to consult with a pro.
  8. Affordable and biodegradable solutions like a baking soda paste for example, can be used to clean aluminum structures like ladders.
  9. Do consult a pro about the best sealant for your wood dock. Even if you apply it yourself, you want it sealed with a waterproof product that is ideally, environmentally-friendly.
  10. Safety first – proper dock maintenance will help prevent injury to you, your family and friends.

Whether your dock preferences lean toward fixed or floating, wood or concrete, we can support the repair or the construction. Extruded PVC, Composite Decking or Pressure Treated Lumber – the options for contemporary marine docks are virtually limitless!

Boat lovers take tremendous pride in maintaining their sea-faring crafts – but the structure that connects you to your vessel is the one that requires just as much care.

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Gibson Marine Construction © 2015
36366 US Highway 19 North,
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
727-942-3111 | gibson-marine.com Florida Certified General Contractor: CGC1514396

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