Seawall Repairs
When you are looking for seawall repairs in Sarasota FL then you have found the right crew for the job. We specialize in seawall repair services and new installations for a wide variety of seawall and lake wall structures.
Seawalls are walls built to stop the sea or other bodies of water from invading human habitation areas. Seawalls help stop waves, tides, or tsunamis from reaching humans that live or trespass the shoreline. Due to the fixed nature of the seawall, it’s able to stop these waves or tides from reaching where it’s not supposed to. Seawalls are built to stop aggressive waters from causing any problems on land or it’s inhabitants, however, no matter how strong or durable these walls may be, they are still vulnerable to damages. At Sarasota Seawalls, we provide the best seawall repairs Sarasota, Florida. If your seawall got damaged, you can give us a call, we can provide perfect solutions. Here are a few of the seawall types we can provide these solutions to. Curved Seawalls Curved seawalls are erected walls built to look like a wave, except it’s reversed. It has a diagonal structure that gets higher as the water proceeds to shore, and at the top, there is a tight curve that deflects the water upwards no matter the speed of the wave or tsunami. This upward curve allows the seawall to prevent water from going past it. These kinds of seawalls can be built to defend highways or even beach homes. However, these might not be effective against highly intense waves. Gravity Seawalls These seawalls are focused more on rigid placement and stability, this is the reason why they are called gravity seawalls. They are made with really heavy materials, materials that would keep them on the ground. This is very useful against really strong waves as the weight of the wall gives it enough stability to withstand the force the water might bring. Before a gravity seawall can be built, the strength of the soil has to be ensured. Gravity seawalls can only work best in areas with strong composition of soil because this soil will serve as the foundation of the erection; this is important due to the heavy pressure the structure will put on the ground. Shearing could occur at the base of this wall and that is exactly why we are here to help you repair it. Concrete and Rock walls This wall is explained in its name. Concrete and block walls are made of either concrete or rocks or both. These walls are very rigid, thanks to the materials used for their make-up. They are constructed in a sloppy manner, with the rocks randomly glued to the wall. This helps reduce the force of water by separating it into different channels on impact. This wall works very well but could prove ineffective against a tsunami. Vertical Walls This is one of the most effective walls available. Vertical walls are simple walls constructed in a vertical fashion in order to completely put a stop on any wave. Unlike other walls, vertical walls don’t slow an oncoming body of water down, it puts in a complete standstill. However, vertical walls are the most vulnerable to damage because they get hit by waves momentarily and will definitely need to be repaired and maintained. Give us a call or fill out the contact form to speak to one of our highly trained seawall professionals today! |
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How To Avoid Seawall Failure - You Have Four Options
Seawalls are built to protect residential and commercial properties from canals and bays. They help to reduce erosion caused by wave impact and can help to ensure adequate protection for residents and guests on the property. Seawalls, on the other hand, wear and damage over time, jeopardizing the foundation's integrity. Sarasota Seawall Services is your local company for complete seawall repair in Sarasota, FL. Keep your property's structural integrity by contacting us to schedule seawall repair.
Option 1 – Ignore the Issue and Do Nothing
The most dangerous option is to bury your head in the sand. Scroll up and take another look at the top of this page for a quick refresher. The issue will worsen, and the longer you wait, the more expensive the repair will be.
Option 2 – Replace the Seawall
Does having heavy machinery tear up your property sound like fun? Replacement of a seawall may necessitate the removal of nearby boardwalks, boat lifts, and other structures. This can be a messy, time-consuming, and costly process!
Option 3 – Repair Using Subpar Methods
Subpar, ineffective solutions like hydraulic cement, slurry, crushed seashells, and sodium silicate do not address the underlying soil instability that puts unsustainable strain on the seawall. These methods are analogous to applying a band-aid to an infection. The problem will simply worsen until the seawall collapses completely.
Option 4 – Advanced Proprietary Technology From Sarasota Seawalls
SW-RP1 seawall repair material outperforms crystalline bedrock in strength. Exclusive pressure release technology prevents dangerous water pressure from building up behind your seawall. High-strength epoxy was used to repair the seawall cap and panels. This procedure restores the structure's stability and integrity. When additional structural support is required, advanced permanent anchoring systems are used.
Option 1 – Ignore the Issue and Do Nothing
The most dangerous option is to bury your head in the sand. Scroll up and take another look at the top of this page for a quick refresher. The issue will worsen, and the longer you wait, the more expensive the repair will be.
Option 2 – Replace the Seawall
Does having heavy machinery tear up your property sound like fun? Replacement of a seawall may necessitate the removal of nearby boardwalks, boat lifts, and other structures. This can be a messy, time-consuming, and costly process!
Option 3 – Repair Using Subpar Methods
Subpar, ineffective solutions like hydraulic cement, slurry, crushed seashells, and sodium silicate do not address the underlying soil instability that puts unsustainable strain on the seawall. These methods are analogous to applying a band-aid to an infection. The problem will simply worsen until the seawall collapses completely.
Option 4 – Advanced Proprietary Technology From Sarasota Seawalls
SW-RP1 seawall repair material outperforms crystalline bedrock in strength. Exclusive pressure release technology prevents dangerous water pressure from building up behind your seawall. High-strength epoxy was used to repair the seawall cap and panels. This procedure restores the structure's stability and integrity. When additional structural support is required, advanced permanent anchoring systems are used.
Common Indicators of Seawall Failure
Although seawalls are built to last and can withstand extreme wear and pressure, they still need to be properly cared for and maintained by experienced seawall contractors like ours. Because seawalls repel water, they must allow water in the soil to drain into adjacent bodies of water during heavy rainstorms; otherwise, the seawall will be put under hydraulic pressure. Water follows the path of least resistance, so under this pressure, the water will seek out a weak spot or crack. In the worst-case scenario, water can escape through the seawall panels, carrying soil with it and potentially causing weak soils, rapid erosion, and the formation of voids. Contact us immediately if you notice any of the following signs of seawall failure, or if a retaining wall on your coastal property requires seawall repair services. We offer industry-leading foundation solutions for residential and commercial properties in Sarasota, FL.
- Sinkholes - Small sinkholes typically indicate the presence of soil erosion behind seawall structures. Without the assistance of a professional, sinkholes can be difficult to detect. As a result, scheduling a foundation inspection is critical to ensuring a seawall's stability.
- Voids - Voids may exist near the wall's edge and, if ignored, can cause catastrophic damage. Significant voids can compromise a seawall's structural integrity. Damage to structures up to 100 feet away from the seawall may occur depending on the soil matrix.
- Cracks - Horizontal seawall cracks frequently correspond with seawall leaning or bowing — movement that allows water to penetrate the seawall and erode the soil. Voids form through these cracks, resulting in an unstable foundation for nearby structures.
What Factors Contribute to Seawall Damage?
Seawall damage is frequently caused by normal wear and tear as a result of the natural environment's impact, which is often unavoidable. This naturally occurring wear frequently results in soil loss, which in turn causes sinkholes and low spots to form along the seawall. Weep holes and vents can become clogged in some cases, preventing water from escaping without forcing its way down and out from beneath the wall. The bearing weight of the structure decreases as water escapes, causing the seawall to sink.
How To Maintain Seawalls?
Seawalls are built to repel water while also containing the soil around them! As a result, seawalls are constantly beaten and battered by weather, gravity, tides, and changes in water level. Because of erosion caused by voids in the soil, this wear and tear can pose a risk to those living near the seawall. These voids are frequently hidden beneath vegetation, posing a hazard to those walking near the seawall and surrounding buildings as erosion spreads and larger voids form.
If you have seawalls either on your residential or commercial property, it's critical to keep them in good condition because untreated damage may necessitate new seawall construction. Seawalls remain durable and protect your building with proper seawall maintenance. Although salt corrosion, tidal action, and storm surges can add pressure to the feature, the seawall can last for decades if the necessary repairs are performed by a professional. Call Sarasota Seawall Services to schedule a seawall inspection and repair.
Clear Weep Holes
Regularly clearing weep holes will also promote proper drainage, preventing water damage. Weep holes are intended to relieve pressure and divert dangerous water pressure in order to keep everything running smoothly. Remove any dirt, leaves, or debris that could clog the holes and cause too much water pressure to build up on the property.
Conduct inspections
Perform visual inspections of the seawall every few months to identify any necessary repairs or issues. If you have a vinyl seawall or a concrete retaining wall, make sure to inspect each section for cracks. Termite damage, splitting, and rotting in wood seawalls are other indicators of a compromised seawall.
Reduce Plant Growth
Because the vegetation is drawn to nutrient- and moisture-rich areas, plant growth is a common threat to seawalls. Plant roots can grow too close to the seawall, causing cracks to form in the wall as they absorb moisture from the soil. The impact resistance of the seawall decreases as these cracks worsen.
If you have seawalls either on your residential or commercial property, it's critical to keep them in good condition because untreated damage may necessitate new seawall construction. Seawalls remain durable and protect your building with proper seawall maintenance. Although salt corrosion, tidal action, and storm surges can add pressure to the feature, the seawall can last for decades if the necessary repairs are performed by a professional. Call Sarasota Seawall Services to schedule a seawall inspection and repair.
Clear Weep Holes
Regularly clearing weep holes will also promote proper drainage, preventing water damage. Weep holes are intended to relieve pressure and divert dangerous water pressure in order to keep everything running smoothly. Remove any dirt, leaves, or debris that could clog the holes and cause too much water pressure to build up on the property.
Conduct inspections
Perform visual inspections of the seawall every few months to identify any necessary repairs or issues. If you have a vinyl seawall or a concrete retaining wall, make sure to inspect each section for cracks. Termite damage, splitting, and rotting in wood seawalls are other indicators of a compromised seawall.
Reduce Plant Growth
Because the vegetation is drawn to nutrient- and moisture-rich areas, plant growth is a common threat to seawalls. Plant roots can grow too close to the seawall, causing cracks to form in the wall as they absorb moisture from the soil. The impact resistance of the seawall decreases as these cracks worsen.