Advanced Seawall Repair for Better Results

This post is part of the Seawall Repair Network series, featuring views, news and case studies written by the Seawall Repair Network. 

Let’s take an in-depth look at the installation of Seawall Repair Network’s SW-RP1 repair material vs alternative repair options. This process consists of stopping high flow leaks, filling the voids behind concrete structures, and binding loose soil with Seawall Repair Network’s SW-RP1 repair material.

Advanced Seawall Repair for Better Results Blog Post

The Problem – Leaking Seawalls

As tidal flows rise and fall, water pushes its way in through cracks, joints, and defects in seawalls. The water pushes in on incoming tides and flows out on outgoing tides. As the water flows out, it carries sand and soil with it, which causes voids to form in the supporting soil, undermining the structural integrity of the seawall. This cycle is exacerbated during periods of heavy rain which continue the outflow of soil.

The Evidence – How to Spot Seawall Deterioration

In landscaped areas, evidence of soil erosion is often quite obvious. You’ll often see small sinkholes developing near the seawall. It’s important to inspect closely underneath tall grass and shrubbery since foliage can sometimes obstruct your view of the damage. Other clues include cracks in concrete slabs near the seawall and piles of sand building up at the base of the seawall on the waterside (if you can manage to get an underwater view). If you’re still not sure, you can use a soil probe to get a feel for the condition of the soil near the seawall.

The Options – Seawall Repair Methods

When it comes to repairing a seawall, you have three main options:

Replace the Seawall

You can tear out the wall (or part of the wall) and replace it. This approach has a few daunting downsides…

  • Costs more than repair
  • Takes up a lot of time
  • Requires permits
  • Disrupts the site and poses a risk to nearby structures

Paying for a new seawall is no doubt going to cost more than any kind of repair. A complete rebuild will also take some time. Not to mention the inevitable mess, a good portion of which is likely to end up in the water. The excavation also requires getting a permit, which can eat up a LOT of time.

Repair with Cement Grout (Hydraulic Cement & Slurry)

Some contractors and property owners are still filling sinkholes and trying to plug seawall leaks with concrete. This outdated approach has many disadvantages when compared to Seawall Repair Network’s advanced SW-RP1 material…

  • Requires a lot of labor and machinery.
  • Takes up a lot of time.
  • Uses a repair material that is prone to degradation over time.
  • Adds unnecessary weight to a seawall that is already under stress.

The amount of labor and machinery required can be quite disruptive. Compared to the surgical approach of installing SW-RP1 repair material, the installation of cement grout can create quite a mess. Needless to say, with all this extra material, machinery and labor – the whole process takes a lot longer than your typical Seawall Repair Network job. Cement grout is known to shrink and degrade over time. Imagine the frustration of paying for an expensive seawall repair, only to see it wash out eventually. And cement that doesn’t wash out can add weight to the structure, causing the surrounding soil to sink again over time.

Repair with SW-RP1

Seawall Repair Network’s SW-RP1 is the proven next-generation technology for effective and long-lasting seawall repair. SW-RP1 offers the following advantages over both excavation and cement grout…

  • Causes minimal disruption (less labor, equipment, and material required).
  • Takes up less time (rapidly installed, with a quick return-to-use period).
  • Does not degrade over time.
  • Won’t’ cause soil to sink (lightweight high-strength material).
  • Does not harm the environment (NSF approved for contact with drinking water).

Compared to the typical excavation or cement grout repair crew, a Seawall Repair Network crew will seem like a stealthy ninja strike force. This non-invasive, clean approach to repair allows the property owner to continue using the surrounding area during the process. The property owner can resume activity directly on and directly next to the structure within hours after a repair. Cured SW-RP1 repair material has been rigorously tested for contact with drinking water. So there is no concern about ensuing environmental issues.

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