Gibson Marine Construction

Rip Rap Seawalls and Venice

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Those of us here in Florida know how essential a solidly-constructed seawall is to keeping the soil and water from adversely impacting each other. Floridian seawalls literally represent our coastal defense system. They also allow us to live as close as possible to our stunning waters.

Seawalls come in all shapes and sizes and can, of course, be constructed in a variety of materials. In keeping with our natural landscape, there are seawall installations where we do recommend the use of Rip Rap. This seawall build option creates one that consists of rocks, stone, or other like objects. Besides being functional, these materials convey a more natural look, allowing the wall to blend into its native surroundings. We typically like to use fieldstone or lime rock for just this reason.

Rip Rap Seawalls:

  • Help prevent erosion
  • Offer a habitat for wildlife
  • Require less maintenance than those made from vinyl or wood
  • Can encourage the growth of vegetation depending on the water itself

Here on the Gulf of Mexico we know the challenges we face in order to coexist with our native environs. But if you consider the trials of another beautiful coastal home, we have it easy!

The residents of Venice, Italy have long endured the ordeal of protecting their city from the ravages of water. The very element that adds to its matchless beauty has influenced its undoing. 

Venice’s purported multi-billion dollar Moses Project’s objective is to protect the city and control sea levels by temporarily isolating the Venetian lagoon from the Adriatic Sea to shield the lagoon (and the land) from high tides.

This MOSE system (Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico, translated to Experimental Electromechanical Module) is comprised of a series of oscillating inflatable flood gates. Positioned on the bed floor of Venice’s three main lagoon inlets, these gates were designed to reduce the intensity of tidal currents and protect the city from flooding. To combat high tide predictions, compressed air will propel the inflatable gates to emerge out of the water as needed. As an engineering feat, it is ingenious.

According to Lidija Grozdanic in her article, Venice’s $7 Billion Moses Flood-Protection System Passes its First Test: “The system being tested in Venice could potentially provide protection for other coastal areas and communities threatened by rising sea levels.”

Once operational, these tide barriers will represent the biggest dam construction in the world and will hopefully function to protect the beloved city from its chronic flooding problems.

With successful tests having been reported over this long-term endeavor, completion is projected for some time in 2016.

It’s always interesting to see how other coastal cities around the world handle the age-old struggle of maintaining the integrity of the land that meets the water. We have always felt beyond lucky to live in a city on one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world and it is our passion to help residents enjoy their water views safely and securely for years to come!

4 Benefits of Vinyl Piling Seawalls

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Living in Florida comes with a number of great benefits, such as year-round warm weather and beautiful coastal views. Residents of Florida have a responsibility to help protect the state’s shorelines, both along the coasts and inland waterways. Seawalls installed on your property help protect the shorelines of Florida by preventing soil erosion. As you consider upgrading your existing seawall or installing a new seawall on recently purchase property, Gibson Marine encourages you to consider the benefits of vinyl piling seawalls.

 

Vinyl Seawalls are Cost Effective

Compared to other materials used in the construction of seawalls, vinyl pilings are a more cost-effective solution than rock or steel. Any seawall construction project is a major marine undertaking, and comes with a comparable financial commitment. However, selecting vinyl pilings as a construction material lowers the overall initial investment, and lowers the maintenance and repair costs in the future as well.

 

Vinyl is Sustainable and Long Lasting

Tampa is one of the sunniest places in the Sunshine State. There are an average of 101 sunny days each year, and an additional 143 partly sunny days. In total, there are an average of 244 days of sunshine each year. The sun’s UV rays, along with marine boring organisms and critters, have met their match in the form of vinyl piling seawalls. The wind and waves aren’t the only threat to the longevity of your seawall. Overtime, boring organisms, sea critters, and UV rays from the sun can weaken your seawall.

 

Vinyl is impervious to all of these threats. While other materials corrode under the onslaught of saltwater, opening holes that can be exploited by waterborne organisms and critters, vinyl stands strong. On average, vinyl often comes with a 50-year guaranty from manufacturers, who stand behind claims that vinyl won’t crack, break, or deteriorate.

 

Vinyl Pilings are Easier to Install than Other Materials

As a homeowner, you might not be concerned at first about the ease or difficulty involved in the installation of your new seawall. Compared to materials such as steel, vinyl is more impact resistant. This means crews can pound the pilings into the ground with greater ease, making it easier to complete your new seawall in a shorter period of time. Although it may not seem like a big deal, the ease of installation means your property can be put back in order sooner and the large, loud equipment will be gone.

 

Vinyl Seawalls have Unbeatable Manufacturer Warranties

Vinyl piling manufacturers stand behind their products with warranties that are unmatched by other material providers in the industry. Whether its UV damage and cracking or corrosion and rotting, manufacturers offer warranties up to 50 years on vinyl piling seawalls.

 

If you have more questions about the benefits of vinyl piling seawalls on your property, feel free to contact Gibson Marine. Not only do we use high-performance vinyl with a 50-year warranty, we backup our workmanship with a 25-year warranty. Your seawall will stand the test of time to protect the soil and shoreline on your property!

The Benefits of Using Rip Rap in Your Seawall Construction

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If you own a property on the water, you know, all too well, how much of an impact the stability and quality of your seawall has on the value of your property. Keeping your seawall in good repair is important, but so is its appearance. The look of your seawall can vary depending on what kind of material you use and there are many different kinds to choose from. From vinyl to wood, rip rap to landscape retaining walls, it is important to do the research to determine which material is right for your property. In this post, we’ll discuss the benefits of using rip rap in your seawall construction.

Natural Look

Rip Rap seawalls consist of rocks, stone or other materials arranged along the wall giving it a more natural look than, say, a vinyl or wood wall. The rocks and stone act as a barrier helping prevent erosion from water. Gibson Marine Construction uses Florida fieldstone or lime rock in our construction of rip rap seawalls, giving it a true “Florida feel.” If your seawall is exposed to fresh water, vegetation will usually grow through the rocks, adding esthetic and structural value.

 

Helps Prevent Erosion

Because rip rap absorbs waves coming in towards your property, it is able to dissipate most of the wave energy, rather than reflect it. This helps keep the dirt at the bottom of the seawall from eroding away. If you live in an area where erosion is a major problem, adding rip rap in front of your seawall might help to mitigate this issue.

 

Provides a Great Habitat for Wildlife!

Rip rap provides a habitat where marine life can hide, eat, rest and attach and grow. Because of this, rip rap is typically favored from an environmental perspective. The nature of a vertical seawall (such as a wood wall, or vinyl wall) makes it hard for marine plants and animals to thrive in those locations. By utilizing rip rap, a more ecologically friendly community can develop as the shoreline can now be used by crabs, oysters, fish and marine vegetation.

 

Requires Less Maintenance

Because rip rap walls are made of stone piles, they are self-adjusting to small amounts of movement due to settlement or other minor adjustments. Even with minor damage, a rip rap seawall can continue to function properly. Rip rap can also be repaired easily by replacing stone, as needed, and in most cases materials are typically readily available. However, it is important that a rip rap wall is checked at least annually, and especially after a major storm for displaced stones, and erosion.

Rip rap is the most widely used type of seawall in the United States, and it’s easy to see why with these benefits! There are many factors that play in to the decision of which material to use for your seawall, but rip rap provides many benefits for both the homeowner and the environment surrounding the home. If you are trying to decide which material to use on your seawall project, feel free to contact us for more information on rip rap, wood, vinyl or any other type of wall!

 

Working with a Seawall Repair Contractor? 3 Simple Ways to Work Together Effectively

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1.      Create a communication plan.

 Before the seawall repair project even begins, you should meet with contractor and create a definitive plan detailing how you will stay abreast of changes and updates. Will you be checking in by phone? Do you plan on stopping by the jobsite in person? Will you be dealing exclusively with the contractor or should you expect to receive progress reports from another project leader or job foreman? Establishing the primary method(s) of communication and devising a schedule will help prevent confusion and ensure everyone is on the same page. These meetings will allow you to ask questions and voice any concerns as well as give your contractor the opportunity to address them and take proactive measures to prevent future issues.

2.      Track changes in writing.

 Although the project should be outlined in writing before any work commences, you should also continue documenting the progress as the job evolves. You may encounter unforeseen issues or elect to add to the services originally agreed upon. Your contractor should be able to adapt to these changes and willingly provide you with adjusted bids for the cost in writing. When an agreement is reached, both parties must sign the revised work order just as you did in the initial contract.

 You may also want to consider keeping a “project journal” where you can document progress, make note of ideas and questions you want to ask your contractor, record product order numbers, and keep track of impending deliveries.

3.      Be flexible . . . and have a little faith.

Even the best contractor encounters unexpected delays due to events like adverse weather conditions, shipping delays, or equipment breakdowns. If the work is interrupted as a result of forces that are clearly beyond your contractor’s control, try to be flexible about the situation and avoid making unrealistic demands. If you did your homework and hired a capable contractor as discussed in the previous post, they will do everything in their power to maintain the work flow and keep on schedule.

 

Gibson Marine Construction is a full-service professionally certified marine contractor with over 30 years of experience building seawalls, docks and installing boat lifts. For more information about seawall repair and other services, call (727) 942-3111.

5 Top Tips for Choosing the Right Contractor

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At Gibson Marine, completing every job on time and on budget is simply the protocol, but not all contractors are created equal. An unscrupulous contractor can wreak havoc on the lives of the homeowners, developers, or builders involved in a project. Over the last 30 years, we’ve rectified nightmare contractor situations for many clients. Most recently, we took over a project in Tierra Verde started by another contractor who did not fulfill their agreement. After a year of trying to coax the original contractor to return and finish the job, the client contacted Gibson Marine. We’re happy to report that once the contract was executed, we were able to complete the project for this client within just 10 days.

When it comes to hiring a contractor, knowledge is power. The more information you have, the better equipped you are to make an educated decision. We’ve compiled this list of “5 Top Tips for Contractor Bliss” to help get you started.

 

1. Do Your HW. Search the Web for information about local contractors and check reviews and ratings. Be sure to ask friends, coworkers, and other people in your community for referrals; when it comes to vetting capable contractors, word-of-mouth recommendations are often the most dependable sources. Make the most of the exchange by asking specific questions, such as:

· How would they describe the quality of the work?

· Were there disparities between the original and final construction budget?

· Was the project completed by the agreed upon deadline?

· Did the contractor maintain a clean and organized job site throughout the construction?

· Would you work with this contractor again? Why or why not?

2. The Proof is in the Paperwork. Make sure that the contractor is licensed and insured. A professional will most likely volunteer the documentation. For example, Gibson Marine’s Florida Certified General Contractor license number can be found right on our website: http://gibson-marine.com/about/. If any subcontractors will be assisting with the project, verify that they are also properly licensed and insured before moving forward with any work. Confirm that the company’s insurance covers workers’ comp, property damage, and personal liability.

3. Write it (All) Down. A thorough written contact is your best defense against future distress or dissatisfaction. Be as detailed as possible – outline the scope of work, specify what materials will be used, define the start of the project and the agreed upon deadline. Any verbal promises or agreements should be added to the written contract. Carefully read the entire contract and confirm that you understand everything outlined. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if you don’t understand something.

4. Compare Bids. Obtain a minimum of three to four bids for the project in question. These bids should all be put in writing so you can refer to them later. All bids should provide a comprehensive plan detailing every juncture of the project. Don’t make a decision solely based on price; in some cases, a low ball bid may be indicative of quality.

5. See Red. When you’re hiring a contractor, be on the lookout for anything that doesn’t add up or just doesn’t feel right. As with any business deal, the potential for scammers is always present. Be wary if a contractor exhibits any of the following red flags:

 · Provides references that can’t be verified.

· Wants all costs paid up front or accepts only cash.

· Avoids putting bid in writing or providing a written contract.

· Bid is exceptionally low – if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!

· Asks you to obtain building permits.

· Uses high pressure sales tactics, such as special pricing contingent upon signing a contract that day.

 

Gibson Marine Construction is a full-service professionally certified marine contractor with over 30 years of experience building seawalls, docks and installing boat lifts. For more information, visit www.gibson-marine.com or call (727) 942-3111.

The Seawall Chronicles: How the Roman Empire Influenced Modern Marine Construction

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The rich history of seawall construction can be traced back thousands of years to the Eastern Roman Empire. The first seawalls are commonly attributed to the Roman Emperor Constantine I, also known as Constantine the Great, who ordered their construction in 448 A.D. The original marine barricades were built as part of a larger defense system designed to safeguard the city of Constantinople (present day Istanbul, Turkey) from attackers by land or sea. They were erected along the main land wall and bordered the city’s Propontis side (on the Sea of Marmara) as well as Khrysoun Keras (on the gulf of the Golden Horn).

Although few other details are known about those very first seaward walls, they undoubtedly provided the foundation for later maritime barricade endeavors. Following Constantinople’s expansion in 439 A.D., Theodosius II led reconstruction efforts to extend the original seawalls around the entire city. Though similar to the Theodosian Walls built in the 5th century, the renovated seawalls were more simplistic, consisting of a single, relatively low wall. This design was in keeping with the defense priorities during this period when the Roman navy reigned supreme.

During the Byzantine-Arab Wars, however, the naval threat escalated significantly due to the Arab conquests of Syria, Egypt, and Crete. These attacks compelled successive rulers to launch renovations of the seawalls, starting with Anastasios II in the early 8th century. Michael II followed his efforts with an extensive reconstruction initiative that focused on increasing the height, which was later completed by his successor, Theophilos.

Despite these fortification efforts, the Fourth Crusade’s successful siege of the city proved that the seawalls were still defensively inadequate; this costly defeat prompted Michael VIII Palaiologos to prioritize restorations that heightened and reinforced the seawalls when Constantinople was reclaimed in 1261.

Though the purpose of seawall construction has shifted from storming Venetian crusaders to just plain storms, protection remains an enduring theme. Today’s seawalls are invaluable structures that can help safeguard against catastrophic and costly damage caused by hurricanes and other storms. Like the ancient Romans, we continually strive to improve our seawall construction at Gibson Marine. We are committed to utilizing the most advanced technology and top-of-the-line materials to deliver consistently superior seawalls to our customers.

To learn more about our seawall construction services, please call (727) 942-3111 today!

Palm Harbor Community Seawall Upgrades are Par for the Course

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Palm Harbor Community Project Details

A local golf course recently received a much needed overhaul of their retaining walls and drainage on the golf course at Highland Lakes retirement community in Palm Harbor.  When Highland Lakes needed to replace their wood retaining walls on three of their holes, they turned to Gibson Marine Construction to do the job.

The golf course project consisted of replacing the wood retaining walls on three different holes with 800-feet of ESP 4.1 vinyl sheet piling, wood cap and anchoring system.  Gibson Marine Construction uses a high performance vinyl and composite sheet piling providing protection against corrosion, erosion and UV damage from the sun.  A retaining wall, also known as a bulkhead or seawall, keeps the water from eroding the soil back into the water. The team at Gibson Marine Construction also re-routed the drainage system by adding drain and catch pipes, stabilized the greens and t-boxes, plus sodded one of the holes.

The project took less than 4 weeks to complete and was constructed on-time and on-budget, a standard for all of Gibson Marine Construction’s projects.

Pleased with the Results

The Highland Oaks Homeowners Association Facilities superintendent is so pleased with the work they have completed, they have recently contracted Gibson for future work.

Gibson Marine Construction is a state certified general contractor and have over 30 years of local experience in building seawalls, docks and installing boat lifts for homeowners, resort communities, golf courses and developers.  Project Manager Mike Mittler has been working to expand the business into more housing communities and golf courses.  “We have recently expanded our services to reach more golf courses and housing communities from north Florida to Miami. Projects like Highland Lakes are a natural fit for us.”

Contact Gibson Marine to get a Quote for Your Seawall Upgrade Project

For more information about Gibson Marine Construction’s services and experience, please call 727-942-3111 or click here to contact us!


Gibson Marine Construction © 2021
2131 Range Rd.
Clearwater, FL 33765
727-942-3111 | gibson-marine.com Florida Certified General Contractor: CGC1514396