Seawalls are an important part of your property. They’re there for a reason – to keep your property safe from raging storms, and hurricanes! They keep your property safe and, on the fun side, they are a fun place to fish from! Another plus is that a properly maintained seawall will ensure that your property value stays at a good rate.
Now it’s time to get down to business and ask the hard question: When is the last time you took a good look at your seawall? If you answered, “not since last summer,” or worse yet, “it’s been years,” then it’s time to give your seawall a wellness checkup. Here are some obvious “unhealthy” signs to look for:
- Visible craps or chips
- Sunken spots near the seawall
- Holes between your yard and the seawall
If you saw any of these signs, it’s time to bring in a professional and get them fixed. These holes and depressions in the lawn are the result of erosion. What causes erosion? In a nutshell, the answer is “lots of things.” For instance:
Weather. This is a big culprit here in Florida where storms and hurricanes are frequent. Waves that go over the seawall expand the land behind the seawall. After the storm, the land will dry out. It’s this expansion and shrinking that can “wear” on the seawall and result in cracks or cave-ins. Rain is a big factor also, especially if there is poor water drainage.
Activity. If you live in an area where there is some demolition or drilling occurring, then beware! Vibrations travel underground and can move the soil in your yard, possibly affecting your seawall.
All of the information above is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to a seawall wellness checkup. Save yourself a big headache and have a good foundation professional come out and assess the health of your seawall. If we have an active hurricane season, you’ll be glad you were proactive and protected your investment (your property) by having a healthy seawall.