Shoring Up with Hurricane Preparations: Seawalls & Moorings Edition
By Laura Holloway of Florida Seawall Solutions
Preparing your seawall for the next hurricane needs to be done well in advance of any storm. You should inspect your seawall at least once per year and since hurricane season is June 1st through November 30th, early Spring is a good time to do the inspection. This way, if your seawall needs some repairs, you have plenty of time to get any repairs completed.
It’s important to know that seawall issues are complex, and once a seawall is compromised, the problem only worsens. The subtle symptoms and issues you see now will, over time, grow into much larger and more expensive problems later, and the worst-case scenario is complete failure. It’s imperative to address your seawall or retaining wall’s deteriorating condition and to call a professional seawall company as soon as you notice any of the signs and symptoms listed.
When inspecting your seawall, here are six signs that your seawall needs attention:
cracks in the seawall vertical panels or cap
depressions in your yard
water bubbling up from the ground
small sinkholes along the wall
leaning or bowing of seawall
kicked-out seawall panels
Depending on the unique condition of your seawall, it will most likely not need to be replaced. The sooner you identify the signs and symptoms of an issue, the more likely you will avoid costly repairs or replacement and have the chance to take advantage of a cost-effective repair. Not only does replacing a seawall cost three to four times that of repair, but a repair warranty is also typically longer than that of a new seawall warranty.
Since seawall disrepair results from various causes, the solutions vary based on the exact cause, wall condition, and property. There are several options depending on the type of wall construction and the extent of the damage.
Maintaining your seawall, with companies like Florida Seawall Solutions, will not only help protect your property during storms but also maintain the value of your property. Home inspectors look at seawall conditions during their evaluations; if your property needs the seawall to be replaced for lack of maintenance, it could be very costly. Maintenance and repairing are much less expensive. When in doubt, call a seawall company for an inspection. The inspections are usually free of charge.
Moorings
When Hurricane Ian pushed a devastating 14-foot storm surge into the Fort Myers area, countless vessels were torn from docks, lifted over pilings, or forced underwater as rigid mooring lines and hardware failed under extreme stress. Yet some boats remained secure – not because the storm was weaker, but because their mooring systems allowed them to rise safely with the water.
Storm surge is the most destructive force most boat owners will ever face. Unlike wind, which passes, surges trap vessels in rapidly rising water. Boats tied to fixed cleats or constrained by traditional lines can quickly reach the limit of their vertical movement. As water continues to rise, lines snap, docks fail, or vessels hang suspended and ultimately sink. The problem is a lack of strength and controlled vertical movement.
Since 1999 TideSlide® Mooring Systems, manufactured only by PSI Marine Inc., have provided a storm-proven solution designed specifically to address this failure point. Built in the USA from American made 316L Solid Stainless-Steel, engineered to any length or diameter, TideSlide® allows boats to glide smoothly up and down with changing water levels while remaining securely positioned alongside docks, lifts, or bulkheads. The system adapts to fixed docks, floating docks, pilings, and lift structures, with standard mounting hardware or you can incorporate TideSlide® Extension Brackets and other mounting options engineered for both private docks and large marina installations.
This ability to move safely with the surge, while maintaining continuous restraint, is critical. Marina professionals and boat owners alike have seen firsthand that the TideSlide® system can prevent catastrophic loads and sudden failures common with conventional tie-offs.
Hurricanes cannot be prevented, but the damage they cause can often be reduced through proper preparation. Ensuring your boat is secured with the TideSlide® Mooring System, designed with the highest quality components available, to move with the storm surge, rather than resist it, can mean the difference between returning to your vessel, or returning to loss. As hurricane season approaches, understanding how your boat will respond to rising water may be the most important step in protecting it.
For more information, visit TideSlide.com, #1 Proven Hurricane Mooring System®.