What is a Seawall? A seawall or bulkhead is a structure which separates a body of water from the adjacent land. While the appropriate term for most of the structures in South Florida is “bulkhead” (a straight wall) residents and visitors commonly use the term “seawall” instead. Seawalls perform...

Symptoms: A deteriorating cap, wavy or sagging panels, cracks / spalling and backfill settlement. Cause: This is the result of salt water corrosion and oxidation in the cap reinforcing or tie-back rods. It could also stem from movement of the structure. The results are upper rotation, cracking or crumbling...

Toe and Berm Failure Symptoms: Cap rotation, movement or cracking, a gap opening between seawall and dock (if present), and support pilings (if present) tight against the seawall indicating pressure on the structure from the failure. Cause: Loss of supporting berm at the bottom of the slabs in the...

Waterline Failure Symptoms: The principal symptom is cracking with rust marks on the panels facing the water. Cause: Aging, corrosion of concrete and reinforcing rod and uneven hydrostatic pressure. Slabs or panels develop horizontal cracks usually along the water line, and the panels eventually break along these lines. Remedies:...

Seawall Cap Failure   Symptoms: The principal symptom is rust, spalling, exposed rebar, fractures. Cause: Aging, corrosion of concrete and reinforcing rod and uneven hydrostatic pressure. Slabs or panels develop horizontal cracks usually along the water line, and the panels eventually break along these lines. Remedies: Partial or full...