rip rap seawalls Archives - Gibson Marine Construction

Rip Rap Seawalls in Florida

July 1, 2016 by gibson Leave a Comment

If you gaze along Florida’s coastline, seawalls of all shapes and sizes taper from the land or rise up along an embankment. Stunning and varied, no two are alike. But they all serve a serious purpose: protecting the shoreline from erosion.

Rip rap as a material used in seawall construction is not erected in a random fashion. Installed along the baseline, they add stability and a natural facing appearance whether standalone or in association with a vertical seawall.

As marine construction specialists, we know that in addition to a buried toe to cradle the rock formation, we always place underlayment first. Once installed, beautiful Florida Fieldstone or lime rock are precisely placed at a 2:1 ratio.

Cost effective solutions, these seawalls work by absorbing and deflecting the energy of waves. The size and mass of the riprap material absorbs the impact energy generated by waves, while the gaps between the rocks trap and slow the flow of water. This retards soil erosion.

Some of our favorite things about rip rap seawalls in Florida include:

They are an eco-friendly solution

As a material, rip rap is permitted on private and public bodies of water

Rip Rap promotes the growth of natural vegetation

These structures re-establish the natural slope of the land

They allow animals and organisms to pass through, thereby promoting the local ecosystem

Incline Support

Waterfront properties come in all shapes and sizes, as do their shorelines. We engineer marine solutions for the gamut, but rip rap is a very suitable choice wherever a water erosion situation exists. If your home for example is up on a cliff overlooking the water, a concerted placement strategy will not only keep the body of water from eroding the land, it will actually help maintain its integrity in the face of precipitation that could just as effectively wear the hillside away.

Rip Rap Seawalls Are Beautiful

Tying into their surrounding environment, a rip rap seawall incorporates the natural beauty of the landscape into a powerful ally to prevent damage to property. Each unique, they simply lend natural beauty to a home’s shoreline. They also not only furnish that singular look as each one is completely unique, the addition of rip rap to vinyl seawalls makes for an effectual combination.

Rip Rap Seawalls Are Tried and True

Over the years we have seen so many advances in seawall construction materials available including the vast flexibility afforded today by vinyl, preferred by many because it easily conforms to irregular coastlines, but rip rap was one of the very first forms of erosion control. It was used on the dams in the Panama Canal; the made-made 48-mile waterway the connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Its installation was started in 1881.

In this industry, there are myriad solutions to the individual needs of commercial and residential properties. A site survey and consultation help us determine the best course of action in this pivotal type of construction that allows a peaceful coexistence with nature.

The Many Nuances of Rip Rap Seawalls

March 24, 2016 by gibson Leave a Comment

Despite its appearance, rip rap seawalls are anything but haphazard installations. Call it organized chaos, but these marine structures don’t only serve the traditional purpose of a barrier between water and the land, their function is far more nuanced.

Rip rap seawalls and marine life

The facts about the impact on the native environment of marine and terrestrial life is in direct proportion to pollution and our reckless disregard of our planet. No matter what shade of “green” you are, there is little denying that actions are speaking louder than words regarding the influence on the natural habitats of the animal world.

Rip rap seawalls are used to protect marsh grasses, but at your property’s edge, they actually create a haven for smaller water creatures in need of shelter during tidal changes. While you won’t necessarily be creating your very own ecosystem, it is a contribution.

Incline support

Rip rap as a tandem component

Aesthetically, rip rap seawalls simply lend natural beauty to a home’s shoreline. They not only furnish that singular look as each one is completely unique, the addition of rip rap to vinyl seawalls makes for an effectual combination.

Installed along the baseline, they add additional stability and a natural look in front of an existing seawall while helping to prevent soil from eroding.

At Gibson, in addition to a buried toe to literally cradle the rocks, we install an underlayment before erecting rip rap seawalls. Once the underlayment is installed, Florida Fieldstone or lime rock is installed at a 2:1 ratio with rock between 8” and 24”. Here again, rip rap installations are decisively designed.

According to this House and Home Magazine article:

Rip rap actually absorbs waves coming on to your property. Seawalls and other types of erosion control can deflect waves and send them to other shoreline areas. With rip rap, when a wave crashes against it the wave is dampened, or absorbed, and does not bounce back to other areas.

In areas with very high rates of erosion riprap can be placed in front of a seawall. The seawall works as a high level of erosion protection and the riprap in front of the seawall works to keep the dirt at the bottom of the seawall from eroding away. Additionally, this helps to absorb the waves. This type of installation is preferable in inlets and marina type settings that have serious erosion problems.

While we are also huge proponents of synthetic materials in seawall construction as the warranties are very robust and the installation is comparatively simple, we reserve a good deal of applause for everything rip rap seawalls have to offer.

Our Top Four Reasons for Loving Vinyl Seawalls

March 18, 2016 by gibson Leave a Comment

No, we do not play favorites when it comes to the materials we select for our premium marine construction in Tampa Bay!

Actually, multiple factors drive the decision about the materials to use – two of the most important ones of course being: what the customer wants and how that may be achieved within their budget based on whatever seawall type currently exists.

For example, with an existing wood wall, should a marine-grade material one in need of some repairs be ripped out in favor of a Rip Rap seawall? Or can we achieve that natural look by installing a landscape retaining wall that works with the repaired wood wall to give a unique effect without demolishing a perfectly solid structure? We need customers to be happy and bottom lines to make sense. That’s why our consultations are in-depth.

Vinyl seawalls (also referred to as PVC seawalls) offer some choice alternatives. If you haven’t considered this as a viable option, check them out as this week we salute these seawalls as something worth considering. Here at Gibson Marine Construction, our vinyl sheet piling carries a 50-year manufacturer warranty against UV damage, corrosion, rot and marine borer damage.

In addition to the manufacturer’s warranty, Gibson Marine Construction provides a 25-year workmanship warranty. Enough of the shameless plugs – here are our top four favorite things about vinyl seawalls – in no particular order of importance:

Sustainability

Seawalls are subjected to a terrible trio endeavoring to undermine its integrity: the sun’s harmful UV rays, the punishing effects of all water types, and the creatures of the deep who feast. These elements are essentially relentless, yet on the other hand are the same features that make waterfront living so singular. Therefore, a peaceful co-existence is a vote for vinyl. The longer shelf life of this material simply makes it ideal to fend off such factors.

Warranty

Even the manufacturers are onboard. They can literally afford to be as magnanimous as they are because this product is one that does not easily fail and does not require the same level of tending other seawall materials do. They don’t tend to succumb quite as easily to corrosion, cracking, and rotting.

Ease of Installation

If you are having a pool installed, you are going to expect it to be a pretty invasive project, what with the excavation and the many steps required to make it safe and viable. The same is true in a sense for vinyl seawalls as care and calculation goes into their installation of course, but the duration of time it takes to erect and secure one, is generally of a shorter duration than a seawall made with other materials.

Affordability

The price tag for these structures is reduced in part because the labor is typically reduced per Reason #3 to love vinyl seawalls. To add to that savings, the material itself relatively inexpensive. Vinyl seawalls are also cost effective over time as they tend to last longer.

Florida Seawalls and the Materials That Support Them

February 11, 2016 by gibson Leave a Comment

In landscape architecture, retaining walls provide the function that retards erosion while adding style to the overall design. Concrete, brick, natural stone; their configurations are endless – some are truly inspired and lend an ornamental touch that distinguishes a front lawn or a backyard retreat.

Seawalls are a Super Retaining Wall

Their purpose is to retard erosion, but they are between a rock and a hard place so to speak. Seawalls are subjected to the relentless force of water trying to work against them. Not to say that these walls are lessaesthetically pleasing than a wall whose purpose is to control moisture runoff and provide an effective drainage system.

Seawalls have come a long way from solid blocks of concrete devoid of character. As a weekend warrior you may wish to tackle an array of landscape design ideas, but when it comes to seawalls, you’re going to need a professional.

In Florida, seawalls are not simply delineations, some provide a useable surface that almost acts as an extension of your property. (Not true necessarily of rip rap seawall, but those materials boast their own unique charm because of their ability to naturally integrate into the surrounding area.)

The use of vinyl sheet piling for seawalls bestows a great deal of flexibility. Inherent in the composition of the material is an opportunity for the ultimate creativity. Even better, vinyl sheet piling offers anappealingly appearance, due in part by the flexibility of a vinyl seawall. They are resistant to damage caused by UV rays, and are impervious to rot and corrosion; and even thedevastation caused by marine borers.

What else do we like as far as using vinyl in seawall installations? Overall, their installation is actually easier than that of other materials. Because it is more impact resistant, the installation is more efficient, and that gets us out of a client’s way sooner!

Seawall Warranties

As Florida marine construction specialists, we issue 25 year warranties against our labor, but you can’t beat the additional assurances from the manufacturers either. You can get up to 50 years on vinyl seawalls.

Rip Rap and Wood

Again, your seawall installation should not only do the job, it should look the way you want it to. Beyond the design itself; the material makes a strong statement.

A rip rap seawall – constructed from stone – may appear like a jumbled collection, but those elements are intentionally placed to function optimally as they are laid atop an underlayment as a foundation. Rip rap provides a unique look and even acts as a natural environment for marine life.

Wood seawalls could be considered the most traditional. They do tend to be cost effective at first installation, but they do of course have their vulnerabilities. The seawall owner will need to be cognizant of the need for more frequent inspections and vigilance about repairs. Marine grade pressure treated woods are your first line of defense, but the beauty of that more organic look does come with a price of sorts: maintenance.

If you need a seawall or are interested in making a change to one, give us a call for a consultation at 727-942-3111. We can even support your landscaping vision!

Which Seawall Material is Right for You?

May 14, 2015 by gibson Leave a Comment

If you own a property on the water, you know just how important your seawall is to the safety and value of that property. It is important have a structure in place that will prevent erosion, damage and even enhance the look of the property from the water. With the variety of options for the materials used to build your seawall, how do you know which option is right for you? Perhaps these explanations will help you make a decision!

Option #1: Rip Rap Seawalls

A rip rap (or stone) wall adds stability while giving your property a natural look. The rip rap consists of rocks, stone or other material arranged to prevent erosion from water. While this option is most commonly used on shorelines of creeks and rivers, it can be used anywhere where erosion from water is a possibility.

Rip rap not only looks natural, but it also provides a great habitat for wildlife! Especially when the tide is high, rip rap offers an ideal shelter for small marine animals.

It is important that rip rap is installed properly. Gibson Marine Construction installs an underlayment before installing. Once the underlayment is installed, Florida fieldstone or lime rock is installed at a 2:1 ratio with rock between 8” and 24”.

Option #2: Wood Seawalls

While this option provides a more natural look, and offers a lower initial installation cost, keep in mind that wood seawalls are prone to factors that could require more-frequent repairs or replacement. Depending on the environment, though, this option could provide many years of service.

It is important that properly-treated wood is used at installation to avoid rot. Gibson Marine Construction uses all marine-grade material for our wood seawalls. Our wall construction consists of vertical 2” x 6” PT marine-grade lumber, a combination of 2” x 8” front and back wale system and a 2” x 12” PT marine grade cap along.

Option #3: Vinyl Seawalls

Vinyl seawalls, also known as PVC seawalls, have many benefits that exceed the other two options. Although they don’t offer the natural look that rip rap or wood seawalls provide, vinyl seawalls do, however, provide much greater protection from the elements. Our vinyl seawalls are backed by a 50-year warranty against rust, rot, corrosion, falling prey to marine bores, or UV damage from the sun.

Vinyl seawalls are typically easier to install, and are extremely durable which could add up to cost savings both up front, and in the long run. Vinyl seawalls are resistant to the natural elements such as sun, wind and water, as well as marine-boring critters that target wood seawalls.

It may be clear why vinyl seawalls are a popular choice, but Gibson Marine Construction can install any option you choose. Whether it’s rip rap, wood, or vinyl, we can make your waterfront property safer and more beautiful with a new seawall!

Does your seawall need a repair? We can help there too! Contact us today if you have any questions about our seawall materials or services.

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