Have you recently purchased or currently own a new coastal property in Connecticut? If the land doesn’t include a seawall, you may want to consider adding one to protect your property from flooding and erosion. If your home has a seawall, think about having it inspected and repaired to ensure it is of sound quality. Here at K.E. Braza Construction, we build new seawalls and repair existing ones according to rigid standards. Creating a new seawall is a complicated task; however, our construction experts have nearly 30 years of experience installing all types of seawalls, from metal to masonry. In this blog, we have included our seawall construction methods from start to finish:
Survey of the Property and Water
Building a new seawall starts with understanding the property’s environment where the wall is to be made. The process begins with a visual examination and survey. The analysis includes going over soil type and density, the high and low tide levels, measurements of the property for the seawall, and a consultation with the landowner to determine their expectations and material preferences.
Installation of New Pilings
When the project parameters are known, and the homeowners agree to the new seawall, a diagram and a construction plan are created. If there is an existing seawall, it is removed to make way for the new one. Our team then installs new pilings, which are simply posts or large screw-type devices that sink into the soil to a certain depth. Pilings are typically installed every six to eight feet along the length of the seawall. If there is any brush or other obstructions in the area, they are removed before installation.
Building the Seawall
Once the pilings are in place, the actual seawall is built. The types of seawall depend on the customer’s wishes and budget. Most property owners choose metal as their desired material; however, other standard options include wood, concrete, composite materials such as vinyl, and large stones. The installation process involves anchoring the material to the posts. If metal was chosen, the plates are put in then welded together. Next, the seawall is anchored to the ground behind the seawall for added support and stability.
Backfilling
Lastly, the area behind the seawall is backfilled with sand, soil, or a combination of the two. This is because the building of a new seawall always requires some excavation. Backfilling covers the anchors and ensures a visually appealing finish. Once our team has completed the construction, we will take you on a tour of your new seawall to ensure it meets your expectations.
Seawall Construction and Repairs With K.E. Braza
If you have an existing seawall, often they do not need to be replaced. Instead, they can be structurally repaired. The seawall repair process begins similarly to new construction. The K.E. Braza team will arrive at your site and perform a thorough inspection of your existing seawall. They will note gaps in the seawall, excessive corrosion or deterioration of the material, and possible soil erosion. A water inspection will also be conducted to determine the condition of the existing pilings and pins. Once the inspection is complete, we will explain our findings and give you a report to review, along with a repair estimate.
No matter your situation, the K.E. Braza team can help you create a seawall maintenance plan and inspect yours to ensure it is structurally sound. To learn more about our concrete seawall construction methods and structural repairs, contact us today!