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.