SEAWALL
PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY WITH VINYL SHEETPILE SEAWALL
There’s something relaxing about living next to a waterway, whether you’re watching the waves crash upon the shore, boats sailing down the river, or sunsets upon the lake. At the same time, properties with water access pose different challenges. Homeowners and landowners must be prepared to manage the erosion, flooding, and other issues that come with living next to a body of water.
Seawalls have proven to be an excellent means for maintaining the integrity of the land, guarding against future erosion, and limiting the chances of flooding. Decks & Docks has all of the materials you need to construct a long-lasting seawall, from vinyl panels to rebar—contact us to learn more!
WHO NEEDS A SEAWALL?
If your property is adjacent to a body of water such as a river, canal, lake, bay, or ocean, you may need a seawall. Similarly, if you have a structure such as a deck or a dock near a body of water, a seawall may help ensure its structural viability for years to come.
To determine if you need a seawall, inspect your property. Are you experiencing erosion? Do you experience flooding during heavy rains or during high tide? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you should consider a professional inspection and consider installing a high-quality seawall to protect your land and home. A seawall inspector and possibly a marine contractor can help you determine whether you need a seawall, what type of seawall may be best for your location, and how long your seawall will need to be.
TYPES OF SEAWALL
The type of seawall that is appropriate for your property may depend on your location, soil type, and city or town ordinances. The following are some of the most common types of seawalls.
VINYL SHEET PILING/VINYL SEAWALL
With the approval of and use by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Vinyl has become the material of choice since the mid-80s and is used whenever possible. Attractive and easy to maintain, vinyl seawalls can last up to 50 years. You can often see vinyl seawalls in municipal waterfront areas because, in addition to looking good, they are cost-effective.
Vinyl seawall doesn’t rust, rot, or crack when exposed to saltwater. They are also lightweight, making vinyl seawall easier to transport and install and limiting the amount of heavy machinery needed on site.
WOOD SEAWALLS
Made from pressure treated lumber, wood seawalls are sometimes less inexpensive than longer-lasting alternatives such as vinyl and composites. However, they are not as long-lasting as vinyl seawall or composite seawalls. In addition, wood seawalls may be prone to rot and provide an area for marine life to live.
CONCRETE SEAWALLS
Concrete seawalls are made using reinforcing steel (rebar) and are very strong. When constructed well and properly maintained, they may last over 30 years. To ensure a long life, however, it’s essential that any cracks are patched and that care is taken to stop the joints from separating. If water gets into the wall, it can cause the steel to rust and weaken the structure considerably.
RIP RAP SEAWALLS
Comprised of rocks, a rip rap seawall (also known as riprap) is sometimes used on shores and banks to slow erosion. Rip rap looks natural and allows vegetation to grow. Marine creatures can also live in rip rap. Rip rap requires little maintenance and is considered eco-friendly. However, rip rap is not an effective solution for all waterways, including those that experience frequent flooding or strong waves or those that require more stability or structure.
BENEFITS OF VINYL SEAWALL
At Decks & Docks, we believe vinyl seawall is one of the best seawall solutions for many waterfront properties, whether residential, commercial, or municipal. However, we are ready to work with you to source the best materials for your project.
We’ve found that vinyl sheet piling is:
- COST-EFFECTIVE. Vinyl seawall is easy to maintain and requires little maintenance.
- ROT-RESISTANT. Saltwater won’t negatively impact vinyl seawall.
- UV PROTECTION. Excess sun and heat can weaken other materials, but not vinyl.
- DURABLE. Vinyl seawall can last over 50 years. Because it is resistant to the issues that can damage other seawalls, such as rot, sun, and marine boring creatures, vinyl seawall will last much longer than seawalls composed of other materials.
- EASY TO INSTALL. Because the product is uniform and lightweight, vinyl seawall and vinyl pilings are easier to install than other materials.
- GUARANTEED. Product manufacturers offer exceptional warranties on vinyl seawalls—something you just won’t get with another seawall.
We carry both z-profile and u-profile panels in a variety of thicknesses and strength ratings to meet your project needs.
To see vinyl seawall in action, check out our City of Palmetto vinyl seawall case study.
ENGINEERED EARTH ANCHORS
ENGINEERED EARTH ANCHORS
Anchor your seawall with engineered earth anchors to create an impenetrable barrier and protect your land.
Earth anchors are steel anchors which can be driven into the soil, connected to a threaded tie-back, and mounted on a steel plate bolted to the seawall. These earth anchors can strengthen your seawall and help it last even longer.
Benefits of earth anchors:
- DURABLE. Single plate anchors of hot-dipped galvanized steel hold in any soil and resists corrosion.
- ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY. No excavation needed, typically hand-held hydraulic jack-hammers are sufficient to drive anchors with minimal soil disturbance.
- MINIMALLY IMPACTFUL. Can be installed under pools, landscaping, surface construction without damage.
- COST-EFFECTIVE. Design allows for load testing at the time of installation.
- STOP-GAP SOLUTION. Shore up failing seawalls if immediate seawall replacement isn’t possible.
Decks & Docks carries a variety of sizes of earth anchors and has access to educational resources for contractors wanting to learn more about the strongest seawalls engineered today. Call us or stop by one of our locations to learn more.
REBAR & CUSTOM STIRRUPS FROM DECKS & DOCKS
Ensure your seawall is secure with rebar and custom stirrups from Decks & Docks. We typically stock #5 and #8 rebar, and we can order any rebar you may need for your job. In addition, we fabricate custom stirrups to spec. Your stirrups will be made to order. Most stirrups are fabricated from #3 rebar, however, we can bend stirrups from any rebar you need and deliver it to your site.
DECKS & DOCKS: DELIVERING SEAWALL AND MUCH MORE
At Decks & Docks, we strive to make our customers’ lives easier. We carry only high-quality products, tools, and hardware so that your project will be a success. In addition, we maintain a full fleet of delivery vehicles to ensure you have what you need when you need.
If you’re ready to order your vinyl seawall, contact Decks & Docks today to get your project underway. For additional information about our seawall products and any hardware you may need, feel free to stop by one of our locations.
DECKS & DOCKS:
YOUR OASIS AWAITS
Are you ready to get started?
Chat with one of our experts today!