Seawall Failure Series: Part II

October 25, 2017 by gibson Leave a Comment

Naturally Occurring Environmental Conditions Can Cause Seawall Failure

Our first post in the series discussing common causes of seawall failure focused on the naturally occurring environmental condition referred to as normal wear and tear. To refresh your memory on normal wear and tear, please revisit the previous post.

Water Depth Changes and Severe Weather Can Be Harmful to the Strength and Stability of a Seawall

In this post, we will discuss two more conditions, natural to the environment, that can cause or contribute to seawall failure. These are:

Significant Changes in Water Depth Along a Seawall
Severe Weather Conditions, such as Tropical Storms or Hurricanes

Significant Changes in Water Depth Along a Seawall Could Result in Seawall Failure

Waterway lock systems, dams, canal dredging, and climate change are just a few ways the water flowing along or crashing against a seawall can be impacted, resulting in a significant change to water depth. Over the long term, significant water depth changes can result in seawall failure.

If water levels have increased since the seawall was constructed, the seawall may no longer be effective at preventing water surges from crashing over the seawall. This can lead to damage of nearby property. Even worse, if the seawall drainage system isn’t working properly, water can build up on the wrong side of the seawall, exerting pressure outwards, and potentially causing the seawall to fail.

If water levels have decreased after seawall construction wrapped, this could lead to an imbalance of the pressure against the seawall, potentially leading to seawall failure. Pressure imbalances will be discussed in more detail in the next section of this article: Changes to the Seawall Pressure Balance.

Keeping an eye out for things happening around you that might impact water levels along your seawall and tracking water levels regularly can help prevent seawall failure caused by a change in water depth.

Impact from Severe Weather Conditions Can Cause Damage to a Seawall

Florida residents have seen more than their fair share of severe weather conditions wreaking havoc throughout the state. Floridians know they need to stay in a state of constant preparedness, as you just never know when the next extreme weather event will come your way.

Being prepared to weather the storm takes more than shuttering windows, setting up the generator and stocking up on supplies. Those are all very important items on the checklist, but there is one more item that will help protect you, your family, and your property. Have your seawall inspected by a professional to ensure it is in the best working condition. A properly maintained seawall can often mean the difference between a water surge hitting the seawall or flooding the first floor of your house. It can also help people stay safe. In some cases, it can mean having a few additional seconds to scramble to higher ground.

Remember to call the seawall experts at Gibson Marine Construction to schedule a professional seawall inspection. They can help you with any seawall repairs you may need before the next severe storm begins its march toward Florida.

Learn More About Seawall Failure

Please stay tuned next month to get more great tips on how to spot the warning signs of seawall failure and how to potentially prevent future seawall failures. The next post will dive further into the topic of seawall failure, focusing on the seawall pressure balance and how an imbalance can lead to seawall failure.

And remember to reach out to the experts at Gibson Marine Construction for help inspecting your seawall and making repairs to seawall damage caused by naturally occurring environmental conditions. Staying on top of regular seawall maintenance and repairs today, can help delay or possibly prevent a future seawall failure.

Seawall Failure Series: Part I

October 23, 2017 by gibson Leave a Comment

Why Do Some Seawalls Fail? How Can I Prevent a Seawall Failure?

If you live along the Florida coast or waterways, you know a seawall can be a vital part of protecting your waterfront property. And although most seawalls are custom builds, uniquely designed for your property, seawalls of all types still have a lot in common. This is especially true when discussing potential causes of seawall failure.

Learning a little about how seawalls work and understanding some of the main reasons why seawall failure occurs can help you identify potential problem areas and take the necessary steps to prevent seawall failure.

Common Causes of Seawall Failure

The most common causes of seawall failure fall under these three main categories:

Naturally Occurring Environmental Conditions
Changes to the Seawall Pressure Balance
Miscellaneous Seawall Issues, Often Attributed to Human Error

A series of posts will follow breaking down each category, providing further details. This first set of posts will take a closer look at what naturally occurring environmental conditions can affect a seawall and how they can contribute to seawall failure.

Naturally Occurring Environmental Conditions Can Contribute to or Cause Seawall Failure

According to Wikipedia, “the natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally,” meaning in this case, that it is caused by nature; not made or caused by humankind. The first of these naturally occurring environmental conditions that can lead to seawall failure can be described as normal wear and tear.

Normal Wear and Tear Can Cause a Seawall to Deteriorate Over Time

As is with most things in life, normal wear and tear refers to the expected decline in the condition of something due to normal everyday use. A seawall or components of a seawall are constantly being exposed to natural elements, such as wind, water and an especially corrosive element found in the ocean, saltwater. Over time, deterioration and corrosion of seawall components by natural elements can lead to seawall failure.

Repair Areas Where Normal Wear and Tear Occurred to Prevent Seawall Failure

Regular seawall inspections by seawall service professionals, such as the experts at Gibson Marine Construction, can identify areas in need of work. Having these areas repaired and/or replaced will help stave off the misfortune of the more costly damage and repairs typically associated with a complete seawall failure.

Learn About More Naturally Occurring Environmental Conditions That Can Cause Seawall Failure

Significant changes to water levels along a seawall and severe weather are two more ways natural environmental conditions can lead to seawall failure. Dive into the details of our next post in this series to learn how these failures can happen and how to prevent them.

Make Your Seawall a Selling Feature

July 31, 2017 by gibson Leave a Comment

Part II: More Tips to Make Your Seawall a Selling Feature of Your Florida Home

Now that you have tackled cleaning, decluttering, making repairs and upgrades, and staging the home, discussed in part one of this post, we will move on to more tips that you can apply to your Florida seawall to make it a valuable selling feature.

Working with Experienced Professionals

Working with experienced professionals can make a big difference in the home selling process. They can make recommendations, guide you when making important decisions, and help get it listed and sold quickly.

An Experienced, Licensed Real Estate Listing Agent

Hiring the right listing agent to help you sell your home is key. Listing agents have a lot of responsibilities related to the sale of your home. The number of offers you receive, the dollar amount of those offers, and the speed of the sale can all be affected by who you choose to represent you as your listing agent. Their experience and familiarity with the area can make a big difference and financial impact on the sale of your home.

Asking friends, neighbors, and family for recommendations, reviewing a listing agent’s resume, calling references and understanding the agent’s marketing plan for your home are all great ways to find an experienced professional you can feel comfortable working with.

Gibson Marine Construction: Your Seawall Inspection and Repair Experts

When it comes to your seawall, hiring the right vendor to produce quality work is also important. Just as it is key to work with an experienced listing agent, it is also key to work with an experienced marine construction company that specializes in seawall inspection and seawall repair services. Gibson Marine Construction has over 30 years of experience; They are the seawall experts you can trust. Their full-service marine contractors offer customized solutions, designed to get you the most bang for your buck, making your seawall into a valuable selling feature of your Florida waterfront home.

Pricing Your Property to Sell

Pricing can be a sensitive topic of discussion. Too often property owners want to equate the price they paid for their home plus any additional funds put towards the property with the price they want to list the property for. But that’s not how the real estate pricing system works. The list price should be based on what the market will bear, essentially what buyers are willing to pay for the property.

Buyers Will Pay More for a Well Maintained, Updated Property

It’s no secret that buyers will pay more for a well maintained and updated property. The less money a buyer has to set aside for making repairs and upgrades, elevating the property to their desired standards, the more money they can put toward their purchase offer.

Homeowners who tackle the repairs and upgrades before putting the house on the market usually see an exponential return on their investment. The same applies to a property’s seawall.

A Well Maintained Seawall Can Add Exponential Value to a Property

Not only does a well maintained seawall add ambiance to your property, it also adds significant value. The cost of adding a seawall to a property typically runs around $150 per linear foot, depending on the materials used.

Well constructed and well maintained seawalls can have an extremely long lifespan, again, depending on the materials used and other elemental variables. You can call on the experts at Gibson Marine Construction to inspect and make repairs to your Florida seawall. Some common seawall repairs include:

Adding, repairing or replacing a well point drainage system
Supplementing existing anchors that are failing or have already failed with secondary anchors
Install a replacement cap
Repair or replace a tie back rod(s)
Repair grouting joints or replace grouting joints with new ones

Being able to market your property, showcasing a well maintained and structurally sound seawall can add significant value to your Florida waterfront property. It can give potential buyers some additional peace of mind and can often help the property command a higher sale price.

Make Your Seawall a Selling Feature

July 30, 2017 by gibson Leave a Comment

Part I: Selling Your Florida Home? Make Your Seawall a Selling Feature

Selling your beloved Florida home can be a stressful, and too often, difficult experience. From making an excellent first impression to pricing your property to sell, these general selling tips can also be applied to your seawall, making it a valuable selling feature.

Preparing to Sell

Getting your home or property ready to sell is one of the most important steps in the selling process. It can also be one of the most tedious and time-consuming steps. General preparation usually includes cleaning, decluttering, making repairs and upgrades, and staging the home. And just as you would diligently complete each of these preparatory steps inside your home, you should apply the same diligence to your outdoor areas and seawall.

Cleaning and Decluttering

You only get one chance to make a good first impression with potential buyers, and a dirty, dusty, or cluttered home will not do that. Dirt, dust, and clutter gives the impression that the home has not been well cared for during your time as the property owner. This can lead potential buyers to:

Inspect the home more closely
Potentially see and focus in on more red flags or areas of concern
Perceive the property as less valuable, translating into lower offers
Turn potential buyers off or even scare them away

Some buyers may be able to see past the mess and clutter inside the home, but they are less likely to be able to look past a dirty, damaged, or poorly maintained seawall. Potential buyers are usually less familiar with seawalls. And the less familiar something is to a person, the more uncomfortable it can make them feel.

Most Florida home buyers understand that the primary function of a seawall is to protect the property from water damage. And a properly maintained seawall is more likely to do a better job of this, therefore, making the property appear more valuable.

Making Repairs and Upgrades

A home is typically one of the biggest purchases people make during their lifetime. It can be a bit scary, especially for first-time buyers. A home buyer needs to feel comfortable with the purchase and confident in their decision.

One of the best ways to make buyers feel good about purchasing your property is by putting your best foot forward. Take the time to freshen up the paint and make any repairs needed. Making some updates to the home, such as replacing worn out floors or carpet, and/or updating features in the kitchen or bathroom(s) can go a long way toward selling your property quickly.

The same holds true for your landscaping and seawall. People flock to Florida for the beautiful weather; they want to be able to enjoy it, especially in their own backyard. By making the yard an inviting space, and making any repairs needed to the seawall protecting this space, potential home buyers know they can begin enjoying this outdoor area as soon as they move in.

Staging Your Property

Potential buyers need to be able to picture themselves living in the home and enjoying the property. Just as you would stage each room in the house, to show how it could potentially be used, you should apply the same staging techniques to your outdoor area and seawall. A few staging ideas include:

Lining walking paths down to or along your seawall with small solar lights. This can be a relatively inexpensive way to highlight the walkways, drawing attention to them.
Creating an outdoor living space. Outdoor living spaces can often help a property feel bigger. It can also draw attention to specific areas around the property, and along the seawall. A well-placed sitting area can draw potential buyers out to the water’s edge, showcasing beautiful waterfront views, accompanied by the sounds of waves crashing along the seawall.

Proper staging of the entire property helps potential buyers picture themselves living there, likely leading to a deeper emotional connection with the property. Emotional connections typically translate into higher offers and faster sales.

Learn More About Making Your Seawall a Selling Feature of Your Florida Property

Now that you have tackled the first part of cleaning, decluttering, making repairs and upgrades, and staging the home, we will move on to more tips that you can apply to your Florida seawall making it a valuable selling feature. Read part two of Make Your Seawall a Selling Feature of Your Florida Home here.

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!

Seawall Maintenance Tips

October 1, 2015 by gibson Leave a Comment

Seawalls are the demarcation between the water and your property. They are subjected to changing tides and in some areas, salt water — this powerful combination is the source of erosion. It is therefore not a matter of “if” but “when” in regard to their integrity.

In addition to constructing new seawalls, Gibson Marine conducts seawall inspections and performs repairs. Just like good roof maintenance, by remaining ahead of the curve you can avoid a more costly replacement when your approach to upkeep is proactive. And again, just like roof maintenance we strongly urge caution when attempting to conduct an inspection yourself. In the absence of the proper tools and expertise, serious injury can result.

When it comes to seawall inspections, a great deal of knowledge goes into the performance of an effective one. A few items of note:

All Growth is Not Good Growth

Take rip rap seawalls for example – they are very effective (and lend themselves aesthetically to the natural surroundings), but, depending on conditions, will eventually lean or erode. The vegetation that makes these such a viable choice can also cause their undoing. The plants that intertwine with the rocks should be inspected… for weeds. Traditional landscape shrubbery makes a positive contribution, but weeds not only proliferate, their roots run deep and can easily cause cracking.

Weep Holes

These are essentially relief valves designed to relieve water pressure which can accumulate both behind the seawall and as a result of ground saturation. Like any filtration system, it is only as good as its ability to flow. Check regularly for natural debris which can clog weep holes and render them ineffective. The inability of your seawall to disseminate the water pressure will lead to cracks, and cracks lead to crumbling, and crumbling leads to collapse.

The Foundation is in the Footer

One of the most essential of maintenance efforts is to ensure that this support system is free from cracks and structural issues. Footers are the best low-cost way to prevent erosion and washout of seawalls from the intense water pressure that can build up.

Types of Seawalls

Different seawall materials carry different potential problems. For example, even treated specialty wood is vulnerable. For these inspections, instead of cracking, you are looking for signs of splitting, rotting or evidence of termite or carpenter ant infestation. General shifting or movement is also something of which to be aware.

Seawalls are structures that offer protection. Like the roof on your home, they provide defense against the elements yet require a consistent inspection regimen. Unlike your roof, these breaches are not made apparent by stains on sheetrock or visible when cleaning the gutters.

We recommend inspections four times a year and by a professional who is licensed, insured, and knowledgeable. Trusting your seawall to your own expertise or someone who does not meet these criteria will result in issues that could have easily been avoided. These are the inspections that keep seawall repair/replacement costs down and maintain the safety of your family and your property.

If you would like to schedule an inspection by one of our licensed professionals, contact us here, or call (727) 942-3111.

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.