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Protect Your Waterfront Structure at Its Foundation

Timber Piling Repair & Restoration in South Florida

Pilings are the backbone of any waterfront structure. Over time, exposure to saltwater, sun, and marine organisms can weaken them, putting your property at risk. At Seawall Medic, we specialize in repairing and reinforcing pilings to extend their lifespan and keep your structure safe.

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Florida Docks Take a Beating — We Fix the Damage You Don’t Always See

Timber Piling Problems We Solve

Wood pilings face unique challenges, from rot and corrosion to cracks and structural wear. Our piling repair services address:

  • Wood rot, splitting, or surface deterioration
  • Marine borer (shipworm, gribble) damage
  • Structural weakening from years of saltwater exposure
Don't wait for a small issue to turn into a costly rebuild — we repair docks right, the first time.
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Signs Your Timber Pilings May Need Attention:

  • Visible cracks, soft wood, or surface erosion
  • Termite-like marine borer tunnels
  • Pilings smaller than their original diameter
  • Large marine voids or hollowed sections below the waterline
Left untreated, weak pilings can collapse — taking your entire dock with them.
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How We Repair & Reinforce Pilings

Our owner Mike Brandt will perform every consultation personally and will perform a detailed inspection of your seawall and we will do the following:

  • Stabilize or replace compromised pilings
  • Install piling wraps or jackets to stop further decay and extend life
  • Use marine-grade epoxy or structural fillers where appropriate
  • Reinforce connections to beams and stringers for added strength

Our methods are tailored for Florida’s harsh coastal conditions — protecting your investment for years to come.

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Frequently Asked Questions

About Timber Piling Maintenance & Inspection

You don’t have to guess. Let us inspect your seawall and tell you what’s happening with it.

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How often should timber dock pilings be inspected, and who should do it?

Dock pilings (the vertical posts supporting your dock) should be inspected at least once a year under normal conditions. It’s wise to schedule a thorough inspection annually to check the condition of pilings, cross-braces, and hardware. In addition to routine yearly checks, you should also inspect the pilings after any major events – for example, after a hurricane, a severe storm, or if a heavy boat has hit the dock.

As for who should do it: you can perform basic visual inspections yourself (look for obvious damage above water), but it’s highly recommended to hire a professional marine contractor or certified diver periodically. Professionals can examine the submerged portions of the pilings, often obscured by marine growth, and they know the subtle signs of issues underwater. Divers can also check the “mudline” where pilings meet the seafloor – a common spot for hidden rot or washout.

What are the signs of timber piling damage or deterioration?

You’ll want to look for both surface clues and structural clues of piling problems. Common signs of damage include:

  • Cracks or splits in the pilings – vertical splits or chunks of wood missing.
  • Rotten or soft wood – if you can press a screwdriver into a piling easily, the wood may be rotted. Rot often occurs just at or above the waterline and at the ground line.
  • Marine borer holes or damage – tiny pinhole-sized holes can indicate shipworms or gribbles eating away at the wood.
  • Rust and corrosion – on steel bolts, straps, or brackets attached to the dock. Corroded hardware can lose strength.
  • Calcification or marine growth – barnacles and oysters can hide underlying damage.
  • Loose or wobbly piling – if a piling moves or creaks under load, its integrity is compromised.
  • Settling or leaning – a noticeable tilt in a piling or uneven dock height is a red flag.

How can I protect my timber pilings from rot, corrosion, and marine organisms?

Protecting pilings involves both preventative measures and regular upkeep:

  • Use Protective Wraps or Sleeves: One popular method in Florida is installing piling wrap around wooden pilings. This is typically a durable black vinyl sheet wrapped from just below the mudline to above the high water mark, keeping out organisms that bore into wood. It also blocks sunlight and oxygen at the waterline, slowing rot and marine growth. For new construction, some use pre-applied pile sleeves (heat-shrunk PVC coatings) that completely seal the wood before it’s placed in water.
  • Apply Piling Caps: Piling caps (usually plastic or metal caps on the top of pilings) prevent rainwater from soaking into the wood grain from above and also discourage birds from perching and making a mess. Keeping the top of pilings dry greatly reduces rot.
  • Regular Cleaning: Periodically scrape off barnacles and marine growth from pilings (a stiff brush or putty knife works) to inspect the surface underneath. Also, rinse off salt deposits. This prevents organisms from staying attached and limits wood decay and corrosion.
  • Cathodic Protection for Metal: If you have steel pilings or metal brackets, consider using cathodic protection (like attaching small sacrificial anodes). These zinc or aluminum anodes corrode instead of your steel, prolonging its life.
  • Treatment and Sealing: For wood, ensure it’s properly treated (CCA or other treatments for marine use). You can also stain and seal exposed parts of the dock structure annually to protect against moisture and UV, though the submerged part must rely on wraps and treatment.
  • Avoid Contact with Soil/Vegetation: Where pilings enter the ground, keep that area clear of constant moisture traps. For example, don’t pile mulch up against a dock post – it invites rot. Some owners pour a small concrete collar at the base to keep the wood out of direct soil contact.
  • Regular Inspections: Early detection is prevention. Check pilings for any nibbling by marine pests or the start of rot so you can address it (e.g., by wrapping the piling or applying wood preservative) before it spreads.

By combining these approaches – physical barriers (wraps/caps), protective coatings, and routine cleaning – you greatly extend the life of your pilings and fend off the worst of the marine wear-and-tear.

How long do dock pilings typically last in saltwater environments?

The lifespan of dock pilings varies depending on material and care. Timber pilings in saltwater might last 20–30 years if untreated, and up to 50 years or more if properly treated and maintained. Factors like the type of wood (pressure-treated pine vs. hardwood) and marine borer activity play a big role. In warm Florida waters, untreated wood can deteriorate quickly, but vigilant maintenance with wraps, caps, and inspections can extend their life significantly.

What are piling wraps or jackets, and should I consider them?

Piling wraps (also called sleeves) are protective coverings for timber pilings. A heavy-duty plastic or vinyl sheet is wrapped around the pile from just below the mudline to above the waterline, blocking marine borers and slowing rot.

For damaged pilings, there are repair jacket systems like SnapJacket®, which encase the deteriorated piling and are filled with concrete, essentially creating a reinforced shell around the original timber. These systems stop decay and restore strength without full replacement.

Whether you should consider them depends on your dock’s age and condition: wraps are excellent for prevention on new pilings, while jackets can rehabilitate older pilings at a fraction of replacement cost.

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