Living in the Treasure Coast, Broward, or Dade county, especially on a canal, lake, or intercoastal, it’s important that homeowners frequently inspect their seawall construction in order to preserve its strength and prevent rot for the longest time possible.
Rough waters, thunderstorms, hurricanes, and passing boats can accelerate the eroding of seawalls. Seawalls act as a barrier between a source of water and your property. A vinyl or concrete seawall is the most popular choice but wooden seawalls are also a classic and more affordable option.
Why Use Wood?
For starters, the cost of a wooden seawall is far lower than that of vinyl or concrete. Wood is stained and sealed after installation to slow down deterioration and extend its lifespan. Wood would complement the rustic characteristics of your home and improve the curb appeal from the dockside of your property creating a more natural appearance. Due to the complexity of the job and the requirement of permits, hire a professional for installation.
How Long Does A Wooden Seawall Last?
The longevity of a wooden seawall is solely determined by the quality of the initial installation, the amount of overwash, and the frequency of inspections and maintenance. A wooden seawall can survive up to 60 years if properly maintained. However, wood combined with water is a guarantee that rot will happen. Before the real refurbishment of the seawall, pilings and other components need to be replaced. An expert can help evaluate whether any leaks or cracks are substantial and whether they can be repaired or if they need to be replaced completely.
What Is The Downside of a Wooden Seawall?
It’s important to remember that seawalls are always at odds with the ocean’s power. In South Florida, the temperature also plays a role, causing fasteners to loosen and wood to distort. Although wooden seawalls are beautiful and rustic, a downside of wooden seawall is that it has height constraints, which may be problematic in high-surf locations. Unless carefully treated and coated as a defensive measure, wooden sea walls can degrade as well.
Bowing and erosion can happen behind the wall, out of sight. Wood is not as durable as concrete and degrades more quickly than either concrete or vinyl. If you are in the Treasure Coast, Broward, or Dade area, we highly recommend consulting a seawall contractor about your property.
How Do You Maintain a Wooden Seawall?
- Look for eroding wood behind the seawall.
- Make sure the seawall doesn’t have any missing sections.
- Look for any signs of the wood seawall bending or leaning.
- Examine the wall for signs of wear and decay.
Take time to examine the seawall every four months. Although wooden seawalls are popular for canals and lakes, they are not the ideal option for a coastal seawall. When deciding which material to use for a wooden seawall, consider the water depth, zoning, boat traffic, cost, and timeframe. If you’re still unsure, ask the pros at Seaside Marine Construction to help you figure out which material is appropriate for you based on the area and the sort of means you have.
Schedule Your Inspection With Seaside Marine Construction
Don’t let a simple seawall repair escalate into a complete replacement; schedule an inspection with Seaside Marine now! Seaside Marine Construction has you covered when it comes to well-crafted seawalls. We are a dedicated team of highly skilled professionals. We have years of expertise, professionalism, and honesty to create an unsurpassed client experience in boat detailing, seawall installation, and anything else for your waterfront property. Call 561-810-9890 to speak with a team member.