Decks
In addition to our seawall services, we are also quite proficient at retaining wall repairs and installation. Give us a call or fill out the contact form and speak with one of our retaining wall specialists.
Retaining walls are walls built to retain soil and soil materials. Retaining walls prevents soil from washing or eroding away by rain, wind, or other reasons. This is very common in sloped or steep areas where soil can easily wash away and get lost; this is where retaining walls come in. They help keep this soil in place so as to avoid environmental disfiguration or hazard. Sometimes, this technique is used by farmers to retain fertile soil that could be useful for farm produce in the future. Sarasota Seawalls are the best bet if you want to build retaining walls. Our advanced tools and talented builders will help build any kind of retaining wall you would like on any land, hire us, we are that good. Some types will be mentioned below. Gravity Retaining Wall This type of retaining wall has a unique feature of being able to hold down the soil using gravity. This is one of the most effective and by far, the simplest ways of retaining soil today as it uses its mass to keep the soil in place. Since these walls’ purpose is to create a chunk of mass for the soil, it allows a wide variety of materials, these include stones, bricks, blocks, etc. Depending on how high they have to be, Gravity walls might require a trench sometimes, a concrete base, to prevent eventual collapse. Sheet Piling Retaining Wall This retaining wall is quite simple compared with the gravity wall. Sheet piling retaining walls are made of thin steel or wood. These walls are usually buried directly in the soil in question with about one-third of their total height buried under the ground. Sheet retaining walls are constructed in a thin and vertical fashion which gives them the streamlined body required for easy penetration into the soil. Sheet piling retaining wall is also very effective but not as much as gravity walls because if the soil drifts hard enough, it could collapse the wall. Cantilevered Retaining Wall These walls are properly reinforced concrete walls. Cantilevered retaining walls are concrete walls that have steel bars installed in them for more resistance towards pretty much anything. The wall is installed with a reinforced slab foundation; the weight of the soil rests on the foundation, which reduces the chances of the wall falling to zero. This retaining wall is also very effective and is known to have been used commercially. Anchored Retaining Wall This is built using anchors to support already erected walls in order to give it additional stability and rigidity. Walls are attached to anchors and these anchors are driven into the ground, giving both erections enough resistance. Several of these walls are erected in the same fashion and connected to one another using cables or wires giving them further resistance against any force. Manually burying these anchors will consume a lot of time so it’s only advisable to use mechanical means. You can use anchors to give any of the aforementioned walls, it works well for any of them. |
|
Why Are Retaining Walls Your First Line of Defense?
Seawalls, also known as retaining walls, are common along the shorelines of Sarasota in Florida. If you own waterfront property, you may wonder, "Do I need retaining walls?" or "What information do I need to know about them?" Whether your project is simple and straightforward or complex and technical, we have extensive experience in all aspects of marine construction. We will assist you with all aspects of your project, such as consultation, design, permits, service, and installation. We are your waterfront specialists, with the staffing and equipment to meet your needs, whether it is a new retaining wall or repair of your existing structure. We have a number of options and materials available to protect your shoreline. We can transport equipment and materials to remote locations using our sectional barge.
Here is a list of some of the benefits of installing a retaining wall.
They Prevent Land Erosion
Waves from the natural flow of water, as well as wakes from passing boats, will push against the soil on your shoreline over time. This causes it to disintegrate and disintegrate into the water. As time passes, the shoreline will have less land and more water. This can be disastrous for owners of waterfront property. When properly designed and maintained, a retaining wall provides effective erosion control to prevent this from happening. It acts as a barrier to keep the land in place, allowing your property to thrive.
They Safeguard Your Property Against Flooding
During normal conditions, you can predict how high the water rises near your shoreline. What about during a thunderstorm? Torrential rains can and do cause floodwaters to rise far above normal levels, sometimes with little warning. When this happens, it can quickly cause extensive property damage. Heavy rains in the north caused water to rush downstream. It washed away people's boats and other belongings, eroded their shorelines, and sent debris crashing into docks and washing up on shores. A retaining wall will help protect your property from flooding and give you more time to prepare for a storm or flood.
They’re Long-Lasting
Some retaining walls in Sarasota, FL date back hundreds of years and are still in use today. Your retaining wall will last for many years if it is properly designed, built, and maintained. As a result, it is an effective way to protect your land for future generations.
- Concrete retaining walls
- Concrete retaining walls
- Riprap shoreline erosion control
- Stacked decorative concrete retaining walls
- Concrete wall recap and/or refacing
- Sectional barge service
Here is a list of some of the benefits of installing a retaining wall.
They Prevent Land Erosion
Waves from the natural flow of water, as well as wakes from passing boats, will push against the soil on your shoreline over time. This causes it to disintegrate and disintegrate into the water. As time passes, the shoreline will have less land and more water. This can be disastrous for owners of waterfront property. When properly designed and maintained, a retaining wall provides effective erosion control to prevent this from happening. It acts as a barrier to keep the land in place, allowing your property to thrive.
They Safeguard Your Property Against Flooding
During normal conditions, you can predict how high the water rises near your shoreline. What about during a thunderstorm? Torrential rains can and do cause floodwaters to rise far above normal levels, sometimes with little warning. When this happens, it can quickly cause extensive property damage. Heavy rains in the north caused water to rush downstream. It washed away people's boats and other belongings, eroded their shorelines, and sent debris crashing into docks and washing up on shores. A retaining wall will help protect your property from flooding and give you more time to prepare for a storm or flood.
They’re Long-Lasting
Some retaining walls in Sarasota, FL date back hundreds of years and are still in use today. Your retaining wall will last for many years if it is properly designed, built, and maintained. As a result, it is an effective way to protect your land for future generations.
Basic Maintenance for Retaining Walls
To begin, there are a few basic tasks you should perform on a regular basis to help prevent retaining wall problems. The first step is to keep an eye out for any plant growth near your wall. Though some retaining walls, such as those made of rip rap, incorporate landscape shrubbery and native plant matter to create a more natural and environmentally friendly aesthetic, not all growth is good growth. Look for weeds. Their roots have the ability to penetrate deep into the ground, causing cracks and other penetrations in the liner and other parts of your retaining wall. You should also inspect the weep holes. These are openings that allow water to filter through from behind the retaining wall rather than accumulating and putting pressure on the wall. Remove any obstructions and check for good flow and clogging. Otherwise, you run the risk of cracks and crumbling.
Finally, some property owners spray their retaining walls with a waterproofing solution. This adds an extra layer of defense against water erosion. Depending on the design of your retaining wall and the shoreline, this could be a useful addition to your maintenance routine. Retaining walls, like any other structure, require maintenance if they are to last. So, what exactly does that entail? Here's a primer on the fundamentals of retaining wall maintenance and repair.
Perform Minor Repairs
Some retaining wall problems are simple enough that you can fix them yourself if you have some DIY experience. Marine grout, for example, can be used to seal minor cracks and holes. This will prevent water from flowing through and eroding soil and sand beneath or behind the retaining wall. What issues you look for will differ depending on the design of your retaining wall.
Examine for Signs of Serious Issues
In addition to those minor issues, you should look for issues that have the potential to become more costly. Check for these during routine maintenance and especially after major runoff events such as storms or flooding.
Finally, some property owners spray their retaining walls with a waterproofing solution. This adds an extra layer of defense against water erosion. Depending on the design of your retaining wall and the shoreline, this could be a useful addition to your maintenance routine. Retaining walls, like any other structure, require maintenance if they are to last. So, what exactly does that entail? Here's a primer on the fundamentals of retaining wall maintenance and repair.
Perform Minor Repairs
Some retaining wall problems are simple enough that you can fix them yourself if you have some DIY experience. Marine grout, for example, can be used to seal minor cracks and holes. This will prevent water from flowing through and eroding soil and sand beneath or behind the retaining wall. What issues you look for will differ depending on the design of your retaining wall.
- Examine your steel retaining wall for cracks, leaks, and rust.
- Look for dislodged stones that need to be replaced if you have rip rap.
- Finally, when it comes to outcropping, look for joint separation. This happens because the stones shift and settle over time, and tidal shifts put different pressures on the wall. On the landward side, you can see holes where soil has spilled through the separation. Alternatively, retaining wall backfill can be seen in the water, especially at low tide.
Examine for Signs of Serious Issues
In addition to those minor issues, you should look for issues that have the potential to become more costly. Check for these during routine maintenance and especially after major runoff events such as storms or flooding.
- Soil erosion or sinkholes behind the wall These are caused by wall defects that allow water to seep under or through the wall. This problem not only weakens the wall, but it also causes further erosion and, potentially, property loss.
- Cracks in the wall or sheeting that are rust-colored. The rebar is eroding as a result of salt water damage. Rebar eroding is a major problem because it causes the rebar to expand. This causes more cracks and allows water to enter. The retaining wall is at risk of failing during a storm.
- Rotating or sinking walls. This is usually caused by water pressure trapped behind the wall. If not addressed, it can result in immediate damage, including total wall failure and significant soil loss.
What To Do When a Retaining Wall Requires Major Repairs?
Routine maintenance is sometimes too late. If you notice your retaining wall sagging, sinking, or bowing outwards, your retaining walls require immediate attention from our team of experts. Footer repair, for example, is one type of retaining wall repair. This occurs when the retaining wall's base no longer extends far enough into the soil due to tidal erosion pushing sand fill out of the wall's bottom. In that case, the bottom of the wall must be extended by pilings added to the front of the wall and concrete poured to form a new edge.
These are not repairs you should attempt on your own. Sarasota Seawall is a team of professionals with years of experience installing and maintaining retaining walls in Sarasota, FL. Please contact us if you have any questions about retaining wall repairs or any other aspect of retaining walls. We'll assess your property and do our best to provide you with the service you deserve.
These are not repairs you should attempt on your own. Sarasota Seawall is a team of professionals with years of experience installing and maintaining retaining walls in Sarasota, FL. Please contact us if you have any questions about retaining wall repairs or any other aspect of retaining walls. We'll assess your property and do our best to provide you with the service you deserve.