Seawalls FAQ from Our Florida Marine Construction Company

Living on the water and having the fresh sea breeze greet you every time you step outside is one of life’s simple pleasures. However, that same lovely water is constantly working to erode soil and sand. If this continues unchecked, the foundation of nearby structures will weaken, and eventually, the structure will be in danger of failing. A quality sea wall built through Florida marine construction will stop this from occurring.

Q: What is a Seawall?

A: A seawall is a protective structure that guards soil against the erosion caused by the waves. They do this by actively reducing the energy of waves and redirecting it out to sea, which lessens its effect over time.

Q: What Types of Seawalls are There?

A: There are two main types of seawalls:

• Vertical Walls: These upright walls guard soil against the motion of waves. These are simple to construct and can be made more effective during Florida marine construction by installing piles in front of the wall to reduce the energy of the wave before it hits the seawall.
• Riprap Embankments: Perfect for areas of low impact, they’re inexpensive to construct but don’t offer much protection against high energy waves. These are generally built from rubble that is then covered in sandbags or porous rocks, such as granite or limestone.

Q: What are Seawalls Made From?

A: Typically, seawalls will be constructed from concrete. However, they can also be built from other materials, such as wood, vinyl, or aluminum. When considering which materials to use, it’s crucial to consider the strength of the waves in the area you are looking to protect, as you would not want your seawall to fail due to selecting the wrong material.

Q: Do Seawalls Need to be Maintained?

A: Absolutely. Since they’re standing up to the constant pressure and stress of waves, seawall maintenance is essential to ensure their longevity. Vertical seawalls will require structural repairs every so often. Riprap embankments will also require maintenance, as bits of the structure will start to crumble away. This maintenance can be performed by a company like ours that specializes in Florida marine construction.