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The Benefits of Using Rip Rap in Your Seawall Construction

May 22, 2015 by gibson Leave a Comment

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

January 27, 2014 by gibson Leave a Comment

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

December 27, 2013 by gibson Leave a Comment

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

November 27, 2013 by gibson Leave a Comment

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 5^th 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 8^th 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!

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