Repairing a Seawall on Lake Michigan

Seawall Repair Network® member Bluebird CFW recently completed a repair project on Lake Michigan. The seawall showed signs of significant deterioration due to the harsh weather conditions and constant exposure to freeze-thaw cycles.

Repair Materials

The technicians used SW-RP1 seawall repair material on this job. SW-RP1 transforms the surrounding soil of your seawall into a water-tight impermeable mass, which blocks the transference of energy and lateral stress caused by the typical build-up of hydrostatic pressure behind the seawall. SW-RP1 is environmentally safe and is certified to NSF standards for contact with drinking water. In addition to SW-RP1, the crew also used concrete preservation materials to address protect the concrete surface of the seawall.

Procedures

Before beginning the repair process, the technicians conducted a thorough assessment of the seawall to determine the extent of the damage and the best course of action. Once the repair plan was developed, the team began the process of preparing the seawall for repair. This included the removal of any loose or damaged concrete, as well as the installation of a protective layer to prevent further deterioration. With the seawall prepared, the team began the process of installing SW-RP1 seawall repair material. The SW-RP1 was applied in stages, and the soil was thoroughly solidified. Seawall Repair Network’s hydrostatic pressure control system was then installed. Next, concrete preservation materials were then applied to protect the surface of the seawall. Once the process was complete, the team conducted a thorough inspection of the seawall to ensure that it was fully repaired and ready for use. Upon completion of the inspection, the seawall was deemed fully repaired.

Results

The seawall was fully restored to its original strength and stability, ensuring that it will be able to withstand the harsh weather conditions of Lake Michigan for years to come.

Repairing a Seawall in Rockport, Texas

Seawall Repair Network® member contractor Jean’s Waterproofing was recently contacted by a seawall owner in Rockport, Texas. The seawall in question was located on the Gulf of Mexico and was showing signs of significant wear and tear due to the annual storms that impact the region, including hurricanes and tropical storms.

Repair Materials

The crew used SW-RP1 seawall repair material on this job. SW-RP1 transforms the supporting soil into a water-tight impermeable mass, which blocks the lateral stress caused by hydrostatic pressure resulting from water buildup on the landward side of the wall. SW-RP1 is environmentally safe and is certified to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 standards for contact with drinking water.

Procedures

Upon arriving at the site, the technicians began to assess the condition of the seawall. They examined the structure and the surrounding soil, looking for signs of instability or erosion. They also performed soil probing for voids and other tests to determine the cause of the problem.

After completing their assessment, they determined that the supporting soil was eroding due to a combination of factors, including heavy rain from storms and defects in the seawall structure. To stabilize the seawall and prevent further soil migration, they proceeded to stabilize the soil and install hydrostatic pressure control as specified in the Seawall Repair Network® stabilization process.

Results

In the end, their efforts were successful. The seawall was stabilized, and the risk of further soil loss was significantly reduced. The seawall owner was grateful for the contractor’s expertise and professionalism. This project was especially important to the property owner due to the continuing threat of major storms that impact the Gulf of Mexico.

Bulkhead Repair at the Miami Seaquarium

The Miami Seaquarium called on Seawall Repair Network® member contractor Atlas Seawall Solutions to evaluate a unique issue that had developed inside their park after the last hurricane. The park uses seawater that’s constantly pumped in from the ocean to fill all the tanks and aquariums to a very precise level, then the water is released through overflow spillways into the main discharge bulkhead, which then releases the water back into the ocean. The main discharge bulkhead works as a spillway, allowing the water to reach a certain height and then spill over the top. During the last hurricane event, the bulkhead became damaged and a 2’ x 3’ hole formed underneath the structure, allowing an enormous amount of water to escape from under the bulkhead rather than spilling over the top. This caused a big problem for the aquarium. With this much water escaping from under the bulkhead, the inlet pumps were not able to keep up and the water level inside the park dropped dramatically. This forced the grounds crew to run backup pumps to supply the park with more water.

Repair Materials

Atlas Seawall Solutions technicians on this job used SW-RP1 seawall repair material. SW-RP1 is environmentally safe and is certified to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 standards for contact with drinking water.

Procedures

Once on-site, the crew began by trying to slow the leak by filling the 2’x3’ hole with 20 lbs of oil-free Oakum. After the leak was slowed, they immediately started to introduce SW-RP1 into the oakum-filled hole in the bottom of the bulkhead. The SW-RP1 was catalyzed to the highest rate allowable due to the amount of flow that was still present even after filling with oakum.

Results

After 30 minutes and 35 gallons of SW-RP1, Atas Seawall Solutions had the leak completely stopped. The leak flow rate before the repair was estimated at 5,434 GPM. The leak flow rate after the repair was estimated at 0 GPM. The total end-to-end completion time from the arrival of the technicians until the total leak flow stoppage was only 5 hours.

Reservoir Seawall Repair in Jackson, Mississippi

Engineers for the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District recently asked Seawall Repair Network® contractor Foremost Foundation & Construction to assess a seawall at the Ross Barnett Reservoir in Jackson, Mississippi, for repair work. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the seawall was losing soil and the seawall cap was sinking. This presented a significant risk to the stability of the seawall and the safety of those who use the reservoir for recreational purposes.

Repair Materials

The technicians used SW-RP1 seawall repair material on this job. SW-RP1 transforms the surrounding soil into a water-tight impermeable mass, which blocks the transference of energy and lateral stress caused by the typical build-up of hydrostatic pressure behind the seawall. SW-RP1 is environmentally safe and is certified to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 standards for contact with drinking water.

Procedures

To address the issue, plans were developed to utilize the Seawall Repair Network® proprietary repair process. This procedure also prevents further erosion and deterioration. This is especially important at the Ross Barnett Reservoir, where the seawall is subjected to the harsh conditions of the marine environment on a daily basis. First the crew injections the repair material into the ground on the landward side of the wall. This process stabilizes the soil and seals leaks at the same time. Next, they install pressure control valves, which release any future water build-up behind the wall back into the reservoir in a controlled manner, preventing damage to the wall from hydrostatic pressure. Finally, any remaining cracks on the surface of the wall are repaired with high-strength epoxy.

Results

The seawall repair project was a success. The seawall was stabilized, and the soil behind it was protected from further movement and shifting. The client was pleased with the results.

Repairing a Seawall in Greenwood Lake, New York

Seawall Repair Network® member contractor LJS Waterproofing was recently tasked with repairing a rock seawall in Greenwood Lake, New York. The seawall, which had been in place for several decades, showed signs of significant damage due to erosion and harsh weather.

Repair Materials

LJS Waterproofing used SW-RP1 seawall repair material on this job. SW-RP1 transforms the supporting soil into a water-tight impermeable mass, which blocks the transference of energy and lateral stress caused by the typical build-up of hydrostatic pressure behind the seawall. SW-RP1 is environmentally safe and is certified to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 standards for contact with drinking water.

Procedures

The technicians on this job used Seawall Repair Network®’s proprietary stabilization process. First, they installed SW-RP1 repair material to shore up the supporting soil and stop any leaks in the wall. This material is specifically designed for use in seawall repair and has been extensively tested to ensure its durability and effectiveness. Next, the crew installed filters to allow rainwater a way to flow into the lake without cracking the wall or taking along supporting soil. This process equalizes hydrostatic pressure. In addition to the resin and panel filters, LJS also used Seawall Repair Network®’s SW-Power preservation material to protect the surface of the seawall from the harsh marine environment, ensuring that it remains in good condition for many years to come.

Results

The seawall was fully restored to its original strength. The structure will now be able to withstand the forces of nature and provide protection for many years to come. The seawall repair project on Greenwood Lake was a testament to the effectiveness of Seawall Repair Network®’s patent-pending installation process and specialized products. LJS Waterproofing was able to completely restore the structure at a fraction of the cost of replacement.