Banner - Four Critical Warning Signs of Seawall Failure

Four Critical Warning Signs of Seawall Failure

Body - Four Critical Warning Signs of Seawall FailureCorrosion, tides, boat wakes, tropical storms, and hurricanes can all contribute to seawall damage and, ultimately, failure. Additional causes undermine the structure on the landward side. Rainfall creates more hydrostatic pressure than rising and falling tides. Every time it rains or the irrigation system runs (and every time the tide goes out) all of the groundwater above the waterline needs a place to go. Massive pressure can build up if that water is trapped on the landward side, putting immense stress on the structure. (Read more in the article, How Soil Instability Causes Seawall Damage.) That is a recipe for seawall failure that can be avoided if you know the signs.

Soil Depressions Near the Seawall

Soil depressions appear due to the loss of soil near the structure. Water is seeping through or underneath the seawall, weakening the structure and contributing to soil erosion. Strong surrounding soil is critical to a healthy seawall.

Rust Stains on the Surface

Rust stains are a sign of corroded rebar inside the concrete. Corroded rebar expands, cracking and destabilizing the structure.

Movement or Shifting of the Seawall

Hydrostatic pressure and/or lack of supporting soil around the structure can cause sections of the wall to move or shift over time.

Cracks in the Concrete

Cracks in the concrete can be caused by spalling due to rebar corrosion, or movement due to hydrostatic pressure and unstable soil.

Additional Signs of Seawall Failure

  • Blocked or clogged weep holes (vents that are used for draining landward side water build-up to relieve hydrostatic pressure).
  • Sand or soil deposits at the bottom of the wall panel joints on the water side. This indicates sediment seeping through the joints from the landward side.
  • Damage to structures up to 100 feet away. Water infiltration on the landward side can expand a great distance when proper venting/drainage is not occurring.  Look for sinkholes, depressions, and/or sunken concrete in the general area surrounding the seawall.

Seawall Repair Network’s Proprietary Repair Process

Let’s review the proprietary repair process used by Seawall Repair Network’s preferred marine contractors. First, crews perform deep injections of SW-RP1 repair material directly behind each panel joint in the seawall. This process fills all the voids while permeating and strengthening the soil. The permeated soil becomes as hard as crystalline bedrock. Next, a new pressure relief system is created by coring through weep hole channels and the layer of resin that has been installed behind them. These new channels extend through the permeated soil and into the soil on the landward side. Proprietary pressure release technology is then installed to regulate the release of hydrostatic pressure from any new water that may form behind the wall in the future. Because pressure release technology also stops landward-side soil from passing through the dewatering channels, it prevents new erosion and void formations. If needed, seawall preservation treatments can also be applied to the concrete. The support of high-strength SW-RP1 repair material, combined with the regulation of hydrostatic pressure and concrete preservation treatment protects the seawall from subsequent movement, damage, or failure.

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Seawall Repair Case Studies

Body - Seawall Repair Case StudiesMother nature’s oceans, lakes, and rivers can be so beautiful and calm but over time her natural forces will cause damage and eventual failure to seawalls and bulkheads. These complicated structures are made up of a variety of essential components. If one component fails, the entire structure is at risk. In traditionally constructed seawalls, weep holes with a geotextile fabric filter allow water to flow from the landward side back into the ocean to prevent pressure buildup.

So what causes a seawall to fail? Over time, as the filter fabric fails, soil migration creates voids behind the wall, which causes structural instability. As the voids behind the wall fill up with water, hydrostatic pressure behind the seawall causes the wall panels to shift over time. The shifting panels damage the seawall cap, which holds the entire structure together. When this happens, failure of the seawall is imminent. If ignored, these problems only get worse. Water is relentless but we can be too.

Professionally trained contractors armed with Seawall Repair Network’s proprietary repair process have repaired all kinds of seawalls in a wide variety of locations. Here are a few case studies…

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Repairing Storm Damaged Seawalls, Bulkheads, and Revetments

Body - Repairing Storm Damaged SeawallsEvery year, storms cause damage to countless waterfront barriers. When properly maintained, seawalls, bulkheads, and revetments provide critical protection to valuable lakeside and oceanfront property. There are many types of storms that can damage waterfront barriers.

Seawalls, bulkheads, and revetments can be damaged by:

  • Tropical Depressions
  • Tropical Storms
  • Hurricanes
  • Severe Thunderstorms
  • Tornadoes

Many storm-damaged waterfront barriers can be repaired with Seawall Repair Network’s proprietary repair process featuring a combination of seawall stabilization and seawall preservation.

Seawall Stabilization:

  • SW-RP1 Stabilization & Leak Repair Material
  • Pressure Release Technology
  • Structural Repair for Seawall Caps and Panels
  • Advanced Permanent Anchoring System

Seawall Preservation:

  • SW-Prevent: Corrosion Inhibitor
  • SW-Power: Strength Builder
  • SW-Protect: Surface Protector
Banner - Join Us in Supporting Hurricane Ian Relief Efforts

Join Us in Supporting Hurricane Ian Relief Efforts

Body - Join Us in Supporting Hurricane Ian Relief EffortsSeawall Repair Network is proud to donate a portion of all proceeds to the Volunteer Florida Foundation’s Hurricane Ian relief efforts through the end of 2023. Join us in supporting our neighbors in Florida, who were affected by Hurricane Ian.

From the Volunteer Florida website:

The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with the public sector, private sector, and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities.

Donations to the Florida Disaster Fund are made to the Volunteer Florida Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization (EIN# 01-0973168), and are tax-deductible. Up to 3%, however, no more than $30,000 is typically taken from each donation to cover administrative costs, including but not limited to staff salary, indirect costs, and credit card and bank transaction fees. However, for Hurricane Ian, all administrative and credit card fees have been waived so that 100% of every donation can be used to help Floridians recover.

Donate-Now-Hurricane-Ian

Banner - Shoreline Protection with Curtain Grouting

Shoreline Protection with Curtain Grouting

Body - Shoreline Protection with Curtain GroutingWaterfront property can be expensive to own and maintain. If you own a property on an open waterfront, you are likely dealing with the forces of nature eroding away at your land and the unreasonable complexity that comes with finding a trustworthy party to inspect and preserve your investment.

We know searching for waterfront preservation solutions can be extremely difficult to begin, and often seems to require a costly construction commitment. Our team has spoken with open waterfront property owners of all kinds, and the stress is undeniable regardless of their background. Our goal is to mitigate the stress and uncertainty that comes with protecting your shoreline against erosion and instability. Seawall Repair Network is the only nationwide network of shoreline preservation professionals offering innovative and cost-effective solutions to protect open coastal, lake, and riverfront properties where shoreline preservation is critical and a waterfront barrier is not existent.

Is Waterfront Barrier Construction Critical?

Protecting your shoreline with the construction of a waterfront barrier structure such as a seawall, bulkhead, and/or revetment is one option, but not the only option. Seawall Repair Network professionals are capable of injecting subgrade “seawalls” beneath the shoreline by permeating the soil with environmentally safe curtain grouting material SW-RP6.

Shoreline Curtain Grouting with SW-RP6

This is done by systematically injecting SW-RP6 soil stabilization material deep into the ground which solidifies the existing soil into a single, solid lightweight mass that is resistant to erosion. This newly formed subgrade curtain wall extending across the length of the shoreline prevents further soil migration and washout.

Seawall Repair Network Contractors are Available Now

A Seawall Repair Network member contractor is available now to discuss your shoreline protection project. Our network of technical and application have access to specialized materials, equipment, and installation methods necessary to protect your property correctly.

Banner - Revetment and Rip Rap Repair

Revetment and Rip Rap Repair

Body - Revetment and Rip Rap RepairAccording to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a revetment is defined as: “A facing of erosion resistant material such as stone or concrete that is designed to protect a scarp, embankment, or shoreline feature against erosion.” The key feature of a revetment structure is that it prevents erosion of landmass. This feature is critical for waterfront property owners and managers. One major problem associated with revetments, seawalls, and bulkheads is that these structures are often reliant on a filter layer that engineers specify in the design plans prior to construction. Often this filter layer (a.k.a. filter fabric or membrane) fails prematurely, and a massive loss of soil results in structural instability of the structure.

Pictured in this article is a revetment made of rip rap (small boulders) that protects the shoreline alongside property managed by a homeowners association in Pompano Beach, Florida. A recent assessment performed by Seawall Repair Network member contractor Stable Soils (located in Ocala, Florida) determined that the structure’s filter fabric had failed, causing soil migration from the landward side into the water, and gradual sinking of the structure. The technicians at Stable Soils are experts with Seawall Repair Network’s proprietary repair material (SW-RP1) and stabilization procedures. They were able to permanently shut down the soil migration, fill all related voids, stabilize the rip rap, and save this structure from a very costly failure.

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Seawall Repair – Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

Body - Lake of the Ozarks Seawall RepairA homeowner on the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri reached out to Seawall Repair Network member contractor RT Construction after noticing soil erosion behind their seawall. This particular seawall was constructed with stacked stones that had been mortared together. Over the years, some of the stones broke loose and fell out, leaving gaps in the wall. Water poured through these gaps and eroded soil on the landward side of the wall, creating large voids behind the structure. In addition, the old drainage system that had been installed with the wall in order to prevent water buildup on the landward side was no longer working.

Repair Materials

The primary repair material used by Seawall Repair Network contractors is SW-RP1. This material is ideal for stabilizing soil, filling voids, and stopping leaks. Once a seawall is airtight, it’s important to install panel filters to prevent hydrostatic pressure from building up on the landward side due to accumulated rainwater. Panel filters allow water in the soil to drain through to the other side of the wall in a controlled manner.

Procedures

On the landward side of the wall, the crew began by inserting a half-inch injection rod to a depth of about 1 foot below the mud line (the point at which the bottom of the lake intersects with the seawall). SW-RP1 was then injected, the rod raised a little, more material was injected, and so on until that area behind the seawall was stabilized. This process was repeated every few feet along the back of the wall until the entire 100 foot seawall was reinforced and sealed up. Next, the crew installed panel filters between each injection location, allowing for water drainage into the lake and preventing any future damage from hydrostatic pressure.

Results

This entire repair job on all 100 feet of the seawall was completed in only two days. The property owner could see the visible improvements (sealed holes in the wall, filled voids in the soil, brand new panel filters installed) and was very happy with the results.

Banner - Seawall Repair in Carrollton, GA

Seawall Repair in Carrollton, GA

Body - Seawall Repair in Carrollton, GAA homeowner on a private lake in Carrollton, Georgia contacted Seawall Repair Network looking for a way to save their failing seawall. A representative from member contractor Ground Consolidation Solutions promptly arrived to perform a free assessment. There was significant soil loss on the land side. In addition, the seawall itself was starting to shift due to a buildup of hydrostatic pressure.

Repair Materials

SW-RP1 repair material and hydrostatic pressure control panels were used to stabilize the seawall and prevent any further shifting.

Procedures

Given that there were two separate issues occurring, a two-pronged repair approach was in order. First, the crew backfilled the soil voids with coarse river sand, then they injected SW-RP1 repair material from the bottom of the seawall up to the top. This ensured that all of the leaks were sealed off. In addition, the SW-RP1 resin permeated the soil, creating a solid mass to add structural support. Next, the crew addressed the hydrostatic pressure issue. Hydrostatic pressure occurs when groundwater on the soil side builds up and has nowhere to escape, putting undue pressure on the seawall. To alleviate this pressure, the crew installed panel filters every 6 feet, along the face of the seawall just above the average water line. The filters allow water to pass through from the landside without any soil loss.

Results

This process took only two days to complete and was completed for a fraction of the cost of seawall replacement.

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Seawall Repair in Greensboro, GA

Body - Seawall Repair Greensboro GeorgiaA homeowner on Lake Oconee (located in Greensboro, Georgia) contacted the Seawall Repair Network looking for a solution to the soil loss issue occurring behind their seawall. A crew from member contractor Ground Consolidation Services promptly arrived to perform a free assessment. The problem was quickly diagnosed and a repair plan was devised on the spot. Even though seawalls on lakes aren’t subject to the tidal action that coastal structures are, wakes from boat and jet ski activity cause the same erosion and soil loss issues. This particular seawall was in great shape and the backyard leading down to it was pristine, however, soil loss on the land side of the seawall was putting that situation in jeopardy. When the homeowner learned that the soil issue could be remedied with no excavation, his next question was, “when can you start?”

Repair Materials

The Ground Consolidation Services crew used SW-RP1 seawall stabilization and leak seal material on this job. This durable, environmentally friendly material is ideal for restoring waterfront structures.

Procedures

The crew began by backfilling the void areas with coarse river sand. They then injected SW-RP1 from the toe of the seawall up to the surface. They sealed off all the areas where the soil was being lost under the seawall and permeated the sand on the land side, creating a solid soil mass. As a precaution, they placed a turbidity barrier in the water to catch excess cured repair material, which is NSF approved for contact with potable water.

Results

This process took less than one full day to complete and the homeowner couldn’t have been more pleased!

Banner - Strong and Durable Seawall Repair Material

Strong and Durable Seawall Repair Material

Body - Strong and Durable Seawall Repair MaterialSeawall Repair Network member contractors using SW-RP1 repair material provide superior results and permanent solutions for waterfront property owners. Simply put, SW-RP1 is the strongest and most durable product currently in use for seawall and bulkhead stabilization.

The Installation Process

Proper installation of SW-RP1 is essential for sealing cracks, filling voids and repairing defects behind a seawall, and – perhaps most importantly – stabilizing the supporting soil. Once installed, SW-RP1 transforms the soil into a water-tight impermeable mass. This, along with the installation of dewatering channels with panel filters, relieves lateral stress caused by the typical build-up of hydrostatic pressure behind the seawall.

Environmental Safety

SW-RP1 is environmentally safe and is certified to NSF (61-5) standards for contact with drinking water.

Strength and Durability

One detail that cannot be emphasized enough is the strength of the material. Once SW-RP1 cures, it is stronger than crystalline bedrock. Originally seen in the blog post, SW-RP1 – Rock Solid Seawall Repair Material, this video demonstrates the strength of the materials once cured…

 

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