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Concrete pilings and panels are vulnerable to spalling, corrosion, and long-term wave damage. When left untreated, these issues compromise both safety and stability. Seawall Medic restores and reinforces concrete pilings to protect your waterfront investment.
Concrete pilings face unique challenges, from corrosion to cracks and structural wear. Our concrete piling repair services address:
We start with a full inspection to assess damage above and below the waterline. Then, we:
Both of these patented, lab and field tested systems create an enormous amount of confinement strength eliminating the possibility of internal pressures.
Waterproof and maintenance free, these systems once installed significantly increase even the original strength of your piling or panel. No longer is it necessary to kiss your seawall goodbye when major structural elements fail. Seawall Medic will make them stronger and longer lasting than brand new.
For more detailed information on these systems feel free to contact us.
You don’t have to guess. Let us inspect your seawall and tell you what’s happening behind it.
You’ll want to look for both surface clues and structural clues of piling problems. Common signs of damage include:
In summary, cracks, rot, rust, marine pest damage, and any instability are the big signs. It’s best to address these issues early, as a single weakened piling can put more stress on the whole dock structure.
The lifespan of dock pilings can vary a lot depending on the material and care, but in general: wooden pilings might last on the order of 20–30 years in saltwater if untreated, and up to 50 years or more if they’re properly treated and maintained. Factors like the type of wood (e.g., pressure-treated pine vs. dense tropical hardwood) and presence of marine borers make a big difference. Many standard treated timber pilings in Florida can start showing significant wear after a couple of decades, especially if not protected with wraps or sleeves. On the other hand, concrete pilings (with steel reinforcement inside) can also last 30-50 years, but they need their concrete to remain intact to protect the rebar from corrosion. Cracks or spalling can shorten that lifespan if not repaired. Fiberglass or composite pilings are relatively newer but are advertised to last even longer (50+ years) since they don’t rot or corrode, and steel pilings might last 25-40 years if thick and well-coated, but can rust out faster in harsh marine conditions. The environment plays a role too – warm saltwater with lots of marine organisms (like in South Florida) is harsher than fresh water or colder water on wood. Ultimately, think of 20-50 years as the range for most common materials. With vigilant maintenance (keeping up with protective measures and fixes), you push toward the higher end of that range. If you neglect them, the lower end (or even less, in case of severe termite/borer attack or untreated wood) can be expected.
Piling wraps (also called pile jackets or sleeves, depending on type) are protective coverings for dock pilings. For wooden pilings, a pile wrap usually refers to a thick plastic or vinyl sheet that is wrapped around the circumference of the pile and secured, from just below the seabed mudline to above the waterline. The idea is to create a barrier that keeps marine borers (like shipworms) out and prevents constant wet/dry cycles on the wood that cause rot. By installing a wrap on cleaned, intact pilings, you can significantly extend their life – the wrap keeps most water, organisms, and sunlight off the wood, which are the main drivers of deterioration. These should be installed by a professional to ensure they are tight and effective.
For damaged pilings (either wood or concrete), there are pile jacket systems used in repairs. For example, a SnapJacket is a two-piece PVC jacket that “snaps” around a deteriorated wood piling; you then pour concrete into the jacket which fills voids and hardens, essentially creating a new shell for the piling. This not only stops decay but also can restore strength by incorporating the old piling into a new concrete core. There are similar fiberglass jackets for repairing concrete pilings – they encase the pile and are filled with epoxy or grout to rebuild lost section and protect the rebar.
Whether you should consider them depends on your situation: if you have new wood pilings, adding wraps early on is a great preventative step to ward off worms and rot (often recommended in the warm waters of South Florida). If you have older pilings with some damage, a jacket repair system can be a cost-effective way to rehabilitate them without full replacement. Keep in mind, wraps/jackets are an investment up front, but they often pay off by avoiding premature piling failure. Most waterfront owners do choose to cap and wrap pilings in saltwater environments – it’s a widely-used strategy to get maximum life out of your dock.