Tag Archives: waterfront property

The Purpose of Seawalls and Waterfront Maintenance

Seawalls work on a variety of waterfront issues. They help facilitate proper drainage, work to prevent flooding, and are a great line of defense against erosion.

The most common seawalls are made from either steel sheet piling or rip rap (or some combination of the two). Steel sheet seawalls provide a great durability and help establish a mixed-use area above the shoreline. Rip rap, on the other hand, offers a more natural look. These types of stone barriers create a gradual transition from the land to the waterline. Both types of seawalls can work great on residential or commercial property, but only if they’re properly maintained.

Waterfront Protection and Seawalls

Lots of property owners opt for a seawall because they like the finished look it gives their waterfront. In addition to helping maintain your own property, seawalls can also benefit the shoreline in a some other important ways:

  • Helps maintain proper water depth
  • Works to stabilize the shoreline
  • Adds an attractive transition area for property
  • Provides mixed habitat for local wildlife

Of the two seawall types, rip rap create more variations in shoreline depth. This helps animals like fish and turtles get the environment they need to thrive. But for marinas that experience a lot of boat traffic, steel sheet piling seawalls tend to be best. While these designs aren’t as helpful to the local wildlife, their durability provides an ideal solution for stabilizing waterfront areas that can’t utilize rip rap alone.

Common Problems with Seawalls

Whether you have a seawall on your residential property or the structure was built on a commercial lot or community park, the questions about maintenance are often the same. In general, seawall maintenance is relatively slim. Checking the structure a couple times per year (as well as after major storms) will help you keep an eye on how it’s holding up. Yet, because seawalls don’t usually require much upkeep, a lot of people will forget to inspect them.

Hands down, the number one thing working against your seawall is time. While the seawalls are put in place to prevent waterfront erosion, they can’t stop it entirely. It’s only natural for years of erosion  to disrupt your seawall’s stability. For rip rap seawalls, the most noticeable issues will be dislodged stones, or a general slumping of the barrier. The concerns with steel sheet seawalls can be more complex.

Some of the most common problems people will notice for steel seawalls include: leaks and cracks, corrosion, joint separation between panels, and outward bowing. Any sections that appear misshapen can be a cause for concern. It’s also a red flag if the land near your seawall is showing pits or sinkhole formations. This could be a sign that the wall may be breached or cracked in an area you can’t see. If that happens, heavy rainfall or other water may be drain through the wall itself and cause further damage.

It helps to realize that seawalls don’t last forever. A number of factors can affect your structure’s stability. Good seawall installation is of the utmost importance, but if you’re starting to see some wear and tear, it’s best to act sooner rather than later. Working with a quality waterfront contractor will help you assess the damage and complete repairs, as needed. The right crew should be able to repair seawall cracks or even re-install the seawall footer if the damage is serious enough.

Deaton’s Seawall Construction and Seawall Repair

A good seawall should be built to last, but every waterfront will experience its own set of changes over the years. If you think your seawall has seen better days, contact the experts at Deaton’s Waterfront Services to come take a closer look. We’re proud to handle seawall repairs, as well as new seawall construction services for Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee.

Please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (317) 747-4933 if you have any questions about our seawall services. We’d be happy to go over any concerns you have before scheduling an on-site visit. Seawalls should be an asset to your property. At Deaton’s Waterfront Services, we’ll help you keep them that way!

Pitfalls with Used Dock Equipment—and How to Avoid Them

Buying waterfront property is a great when you love spending time on the water. Having a dock already installed can be really convenient, too. But try not to get ahead of yourself. Just because there’s water and a dock, the property may not be the best fit for your lifestyle.

Home inspections help tell you whether the house you’re looking at is structurally sound and built to code. Checking out a property’s used dock equipment works the same way. When you’re aware of the possible problems you can get with used docks, it’s a lot easier to save yourself from financial upsets—or even safety hazards—down the road. You might be in for a rough ride if the dock wasn’t installed properly.

Check for Dock Damage

It’s normal to do a home tour when you’re thinking of buying a new property, so don’t skip out on walking the used dock. Dock equipment ages just like anything else around your property. You’re looking for two things in the beginning: rot and rust. Noticing either of these signs could mean long-term trouble for your waterfront.

Used wood docks can develop rot for any number of reasons. The planks might not have been treated properly, the wood could be poor quality, or it’s just been neglected for too long. Because wood rot can spread, it’s important to take care of the issue early on. The same goes for rust. Metal supports or other components that appear to have rust may jeopardize the integrity of the structure. With enough damage, the dock may not be safe enough to use. Seeing either rot or rust should definitely be a red flag.

Professional Dock Inspection

Whether or not you see rust or rot problems, you might still consider taking a closer look at the dock equipment. A professional waterfront specialist can come out with the proper equipment to assess the durability and construction of the dock from every angle. It’s a great way to get true peace of mind before making an offer or purchase.

For starters, a professional dock inspection will let you know whether the support beams on a stationary dock have any problems with warping or cracks. These supports need to be strong if the dock is going to survive long-term use. Any indications of damage might lead to bigger safety issues.

Buyers should also be aware of the risks of foundation deterioration or sand band erosion around waterfront properties. Hiring a waterfront expert can help give you an unbiased opinion of the dock’s surroundings. Again, like home inspections, a dock inspection will offer you an in-depth analysis of the structure. If you’re going to make a well-informed decision about a new property or dock, you’ll want to have all the facts. They’ll either point out a couple concerns, or tell you it’s good to go!

Deaton’s Waterfront Services

You may have fallen in love with a waterfront view, but if the dock is severely damaged, you might need to think twice about making an offer. Will the dock last well into the future? Are you willing to pay for dock repairs? The structure needs to be stable and secure for you to truly enjoy life on the water. Talking with a dock expert can help you decide ahead of time whether the setup is right for you.

For more information or to schedule your own dock inspection, you can always call on Deaton’s Waterfront Services. We’re proud to serve the waterfront needs of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, and Tennessee. Contact us today to get started!