Living on the water is wonderful, but your yard’s seawall works hard to protect your property from waves and erosion. A seawall is the frontline defense for your waterfront home. Over time, even sturdy seawalls can develop problems. By keeping an eye out for early warning signs, you can fix small issues before they become big, expensive problems. Spotting cracks, leaning, or erosion early on can save you from costly repairs.
1. Visible Cracks or a Leaning Wall
If you see cracks in the concrete or steel of your seawall, don’t ignore them. Cracks often mean the wall is under pressure. Water can sneak into these cracks and weaken the wall’s interior – even reaching the metal rebar inside. Cracks are a large and most obvious indicator that your seawall is moving. Similarly, if sections of the wall start leaning or bowing, that’s a sure sign the foundation is shifting. Left alone, these problems can grow until the wall buckles or collapses.
- Check regularly: Walk along the seawall and look closely for new or widening cracks (even hairline cracks matter). Keep a record so you can see if they’re getting worse.
- Seal small cracks: You can often patch minor surface cracks with a concrete filler or waterproof sealant to keep water out.
- Get professional help: For large cracks, gaps, or any leaning wall, call a seawall contractor or engineer. They can inspect and reinforce the wall before it fails. Remember, fixing a small crack now is much easier (and cheaper) than rebuilding a broken wall later.
2. Sinkholes, Voids, or Soil Erosion Behind the Wall
Walk the ground at the top of your seawall. Sunken spots or gaps in the soil (like tiny sinkholes or depressions) mean water is washing soil away from behind the wall. As one guide explains, water seeping through cracks will “pull the surrounding soil and sand away,” weakening the wall’s support. If erosion continues, the wall can settle or collapse because it’s literally losing the ground it sits on.
- Fill small holes: If you notice a minor sinkhole or gap, fill it with clean sand or gravel. This stops more soil from washing out while you arrange repairs. (Use the right backfill material as professionals recommend.)
- Improve drainage: Make sure rainwater and yard runoff are directed away from the wall. Avoid letting lawn water flow over the top of the seawall. Clear any debris from drains or gutters that might be pushing water toward the wall.
- Call a pro for big erosion: If large voids or sinkholes appear, have a marine construction specialist stabilize the soil. They can inject grout or add support behind the wall to stop further erosion. Catching erosion early is key – one builder recommends taking “regular strolls around your seawall” to spot soil loss before it gets serious.
3. Rust or Corrosion on Wall Hardware
Many seawalls are held in place by metal parts like tie-back rods, anchors, and reinforcements. Rusty stains on the wall’s face usually mean water has reached these metal parts and they are corroding. As metal rusts it expands and forces new cracks in the concrete. Rusted anchors or rods lose their strength, which makes the whole wall weaker and more likely to fail.
- Inspect for rust: Look for reddish-brown streaks or stains on the wall, especially after heavy rain. Check any exposed metal (like the tops of rods) for flaking rust.
- Clean and treat: You can often remove surface rust with a wire brush and apply a rust-inhibiting primer or paint. This slows the damage.
- Replace bad parts: Have a pro check the tie-backs and anchors. If they’re badly corroded, those rods or cables should be replaced or reinforced. This usually involves attaching new anchors or adding supportive braces to the wall.
- Prevent rust build-up: Keep salt spray and debris off the seawall when you can. Rinse the wall occasionally to wash away salt (especially if you live near the ocean).
4. Drainage Problems or Standing Water
A seawall needs to drain properly. If water pools on your lawn near the wall or stands at the base after every rain, it’s a warning sign. Standing water means the wall’s weep holes or drainage pipes are blocked, so water builds up behind the wall. As one guide notes, trapped water “builds up pressure on the seawall”. This pressure (called hydrostatic pressure) can push on the wall and cause bowing or cracking over time.
- Clear drainage holes: Check for the small round weep holes along the wall. Keep them free of dirt, leaves, or debris so water can flow out. Use a narrow stick or hose to flush them.
- Adjust grading: Make sure your yard slopes away from the wall, not toward it. You might add soil on the landward side to direct water away.
- Add drainage solutions: If standing water is a chronic issue, consider installing extra drainage (like French drains or perforated pipe) behind the wall to carry water away.
- Don’t overwater: Avoid watering plants near the wall’s edge or letting sprinklers spray the wall, as extra moisture will just cause more pressure.
5. An Older or Outdated Seawall
Finally, think about age and materials. Most seawalls only last a certain number of years. For example, even a well-built concrete wall might start to age after 40–50 years, while wooden walls may last only 15–30 years. If your seawall is 20–30 years old or more, it could be near the end of its useful life. Older walls were sometimes built with materials or methods that don’t hold up well today. Even if it looks okay, hidden problems may exist.
- Check installation records: Look at your property paperwork or ask a surveyor how old the wall is and what it’s made of.
- Plan for inspection: When a wall is several decades old, it’s wise to have a professional engineer or contractor inspect it. They can spot hidden damage that you can’t see.
- Prepare for updates: If the wall is very old, start budgeting for a partial rebuild or retrofit. You don’t necessarily have to replace the whole wall immediately, but being proactive can prevent sudden failures.
- Maintain it regularly: Even an aging wall can last longer if maintained. Keep patches up to date, add new materials to strengthen old sections, and clear out any obstructions.
Conclusion: Act Early to Protect Your Property
Your seawall is crucial for protecting your home and yard. Fixing problems early can save you a lot of hassle and expense down the road. Addressing issues right away can prevent serious erosion, foundation damage, or even total wall failure. A few simple habits make a difference:
- Inspect regularly: Walk around your seawall a couple of times each year (and after big storms). Look for any signs of the five warning signals above.
- Keep it clean: Remove trash, leaves, or seaweed that could block drains or hold moisture against the wall.
- Fix little things now: Seal small cracks, clear drain holes, and replace weathered boards or panels as soon as you spot them.
- Watch the hillside: Don’t let trees or heavy plants grow right next to the wall, and keep heavy vehicles or equipment away from the edge.
By staying on top of these tasks and making repairs when needed, you’ll keep your seawall strong and your property safe. Remember: a well-maintained seawall can protect your waterfront home for decades, but it needs your care and attention. Act now on any warning signs, and you’ll have peace of mind through many more seasons by the water.