Your seawall provides you the most barrier but one that is most often ignored. When is the last time you looked at it? Have you had it examined by a professional to determine its current condition or the life expectancy of your wall? Are you financially prepared to repair the wall if and when it fails? Unlike a roof that leaks until you repair it – a seawall ages slowly and gives no warning that it is failing – it goes and when it does it can take the entire building right into the water.

A seawall that is properly maintained can last from 30-50 years, if not properly maintained you can expect to have to repair it in as little as 20 years. If you haven’t had your wall examined recently and you’re unsure if it is in need of repair, here are few ways to tell:

• Does your seawall cap have cracks or have any portions broken off?
• Does your seawall have any deteriorating slabs?
• Are your slabs leaning?
• Are there visible rust stains?
• Is the stress beam failing?
• Are you losing soil behind the wall?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s time to call in a professional to repair or replace your seawall. Seawalls are not typically insurable, so having it properly maintained can help you avoid disastrous repair bills when it fails. Call us today for a free consultation…it will save you in the long run! (727) 942-3111 or email info@gibson-marine.com.

Many contractors still prefer to use aluminum to construct seawalls and it may be confusing as to which is the better choice. We hope this helps:

Aluminum
Metallic components have been used in waterfront construction for centuries. Aluminum sheeting is prone to degradation from both natural and human induced sources. Natural corrosion is the degradation that occurs when a material is left on its own without the interference from a man-made system or scenario. Human induced corrosion can cause incredibly quick material loss and structural damage: galvanic reaction, stray current corrosion and interaction with high pH/organic soils.

Vinyl
Breakthroughs in the polymer industry allow for structural products made from strong, weatherable products to make it to the market. Vinyl sheeting has become a major construction component in the marine industry because of its ability to do what aluminum cannot: provide a strong wall with no degradation. The vinyl sheeting is resistant to changing soil conditions/pH and has no natural oxidation. Vinyl is also a material with low conductivity, so it will not act as a grounding element causing a galvanic reaction.

Our viewpoint: Aluminum is a strong material but has many issues being used in an environment as harsh as a marine setting. The sheeting is under attack from several possible areas, both natural and man-made. The nature of aluminum causes it to be a sacrificial material in many settings, with drastic material loss very visible. Possible protection of an aluminum system requires expensive upfront cost and a regular maintenance routine. Vinyl sheeting has become popular because it is both a structural product and can resist both natural and man-made attacks that would begin a corrosive situation in metallic sheets.

All MoistureShield products are “are manufactured with a 50/50 blend of recycled wood fibers and plastics. As a company, A.E.R.T. is able to save 271,808,511 pounds of waste from entering the country’s landfills every year. That equals 36 football fields stacked 10 feet high!”

Owner Eric Swauger is thrilled to offer MoistureShield building materials. He says, “Being environmentally conscious is important to us and we are confident this product not only looks great, but helps conserve resources.”

For more information about MoistureShield’s environmentally friendly composite decking materials, or how we can go green with your dock or deck, give us a call at (727) 942-3111 or email info@gibson-marine.com.

Consult with a trusted company that can advise you on what needs to be completed in order to protect your investment. Get a few estimates on repair costs and the time frame in which it can be handled. You don’t want to set up an open house for viewing and get caught with construction in progress.

Prepping your home for the market is one of the most important things you can do and will give you a better return on investment, as well as, help you sell your property quicker. Read here for more tips on preparing your home to sell with even little details on both the inside and out.

If you’re considering putting your house on the market and are interested in a free consultation for your marine construction repairs, please call (727) 942-3111 or email info@gibson-marine.com. We’ll come out and take a look!

Hurricane season is officially upon us and the best way to protect your family and your home is to be prepared. Living on or near waterfront property is a popular and ideal choice for homeowners and vacationers, but it also comes with vulnerability to storms, floods and possible destruction.   Your first order of action is to create a detailed plan and make sure your entire family knows the plan.

Here are some precautionary steps you can take:

• Have your home and property assessed for risk and vulnerability and make sure you have the appropriate insurance
• Create a disaster plan for your family (and your pets!) including an evacuation plan
• Have enough food (canned goods) and water for 2 weeks
• Make ice ahead of time and store in Ziploc bags
• Make sure you’re stocked for hurricane supplies including: batteries, flashlights, candles, matches, tools, radios, tarps, etc.
• Take advantage of Tax Amnesty Days and stock up!
• Store important documents in waterproof container
• Ensure you have enough medical supplies and prescriptions
• Trim tree limbs
• Anchor down any equipment or outside furniture that could potentially be hazardous
• Fill your vehicles with gas and stock up
• Charge all cell phones and have battery back up
• Park vehicles in a safe location and out of a flood zone, when possible
• Stay tuned to local news stations for updates

For boat owners, here are some more tips on how you can best prepare for a storm and protect your boat.

Some additional resources:

FEMA

NOAA

American Red Cross

Statistics say that drowning is the primary death for children five and under?  In the United States, this is also the number one cause of accidental deaths for children ages one to five. In 69% of accidental deaths, parents or someone taking care of the child were present at home. Simple at-home tasks can sometimes get in the way and have been the major reasons for such drastic statistics. The point: these accidents could have been prevented. Child safety fences can be a nice and simple way to make your backyard a safe place for everyone!

Not only can these fences help protect your children but also your family pets and outside pesky intruders.  These fences are constructed so that a latch system keeps the gate from opening and high enough to make sure your little ones can’t find their way into the pool without direct supervision.

Ensuring your waterfront property (and pools) are not only attractive -but safe – is one of Gibson Marine’s specialties. We specialize in the highest quality, innovative fence layout design and installations. This safety product is an invaluable necessity and there is no skimping on quality of the finished product or the installation. Our child safety fences will truly save lives and we are proud to be experts here. Read more about our child safety fences and related waterfront accessories here.

Pappas’ waterfront home sits on the edge of beautiful Indian Rocks Beach. With waterfront property, also comes waterfront issues and costly repairs, and in her case, a failing seawall in desperate need of restoration. In 2008, Pappas called around to local contractors and obtained eight cost and time estimates for rebuilding her seawall. Based on a previous relationship with a contractor who had performed piling work at her home, she contracted a company who was able to match the lowest bidder. Pappas would soon discover the company she chose first would be a costly mistake.

The company originally contracted to undertake the massive task of rebuilding the seawall had claimed it would take two weeks to perform its contracted duties. Upon completion of the project, seventeen weeks later, the nightmare for Pappas had only just begun. Within 6 weeks of completion, rust began seeping from under the seawall cap. Pappas hired an engineer to verify the defects of the wall against City code and the original engineer’s plans. Upon further discovery, there were 2-inch gaps between the seawall cap and the vinyl; rebar was protruding from the underside of the cap; the vinyl used was two grades lower than engineered specifications; and the concrete strength was 500 psi lower for the vinyl and 2000 psi lower for the cap than the original plans called for. The engineer declared her property in a state of emergency.

Pappas called on Gibson Marine Construction, one of the original eight bidders on the project, who immediately took action. They were forced to deconstruct and rebuild the newly rebuilt seawall due to shoddy workmanship and the use of low-grade, low quality materials which were used against the engineer’s plan and city code.

Despite the recourse she is currently facing with the previous contractor, Pappas couldn’t be more thrilled with the quality craftsmanship, professionalism, knowledge and integrity that the entire team at Gibson Marine demonstrated. “Professionalism isn’t a word big enough to describe Eric [the owner], Mike [the project manager], all the way to each construction worker. I knew from the first day I was dealing with honest, ethical people. And now, for the first time since I bought this home two years ago, I finally feel safe on my property thanks to Gibson Marine.”

Her message to consumers is to be proactive in due diligence when seeking contractors for your home. She also says to “Do your research! The lowest bidder isn’t always the most experienced or highest quality contractor for the job. I wish I had gotten references for the original sea wall contractor and checked with the county’s licensing board for complaints. Had I known how many complaints were issued against them, they never would have been hired in the first place.”

When Eric Swauger, owner of Gibson Marine Construction, was asked what sets his company apart from other contractors, he said, “Standards are raised at Gibson Marine Construction. For our sake and yours, we will always do the right thing; take the time to do the job right; and, pay attention to every detail….and that is our standard at Gibson Marine.”

Contrary to Pappas’ feelings about the original contractor, she says she doesn’t have a negative thing to say about Gibson Marine Construction. “From the time I moved into my home, knowing I had a failing seawall, to the day Gibson Marine completed the project, I have never felt as safe as I do now. If there was a higher score than A+, they’d get it!”

Pappas' property after seawall reconstruction

Click here to see more Before and After photos!

This seawall is in need of repair and reconstruction.

A seawall, also known as a bulkhead or retaining wall, keeps the water from eroding the soil back into the water. The stability of any seawall is dependent upon variables such as wall height, sheet pile length and strength, wale system, backfill, foundation soil and tide. Curved seawalls allow waves to break against them while reducing their energy. Others are straight, designed to bring waves to a standstill.

Homeowners are looking at new ways to protect their properties due to the frequency of storms and hurricanes. The challenges of owning waterfront property include storm surges causing erosion, UV damage to traditional materials, corrosion of aluminum and steel, and deterioration caused by marine borers that thrive on pressure-treated lumber.

A seawall is an invaluable structure for those homeowners who live close to the water and rely on the wall to protect their homes from water damage. The constant ground movements and battering of the wall by the elements can often lead to unsightly cracks and a pitted surface. Once you see an area of your seawall starting to fail, its time to get it repaired. Putting it off will only cost you more in the long run.

This dock needs pressure treated lumber and quality moisture shield materials.

Docks and decks can rot or break after time and if they aren’t protected with pressure-treated lumber or built with quality materials, they immediately become a safety hazard to your family or visitors.

Seawalls, docks and decks all present safety hazards if left untreated or unrepaired. Repairing or constructing can be costly, so it’s imperative that you choose the right contractor for the job.  Meet with potential contractors and learn about their experience, knowledge and staff who will be handling your project. And don’t always go with the lowest bidder without doing your research first.

The lowest price contractor may be missing some key elements to make it a quality project: highly skilled labor whose pay is commiserate with experience; a quality control and training department who knows what works and what doesn’t; and, manpower to conduct supervision and inspection to ensure no shortcuts are being taken, to name a few.

It’s only a matter of time before problems emerge and the joy of finding the lowest price is shadowed by the bitterness of an improperly completed job, ultimately resulting in unnecessary additional expense and inconvenience.

For your first choice in marine construction, we hope you’ll consider calling Gibson Marine Construction.  We only use the highest quality materials to save you time and money down the road. For our sake and yours, we will always do the right thing, take the time to do the job right, and pay attention to every detail. Gibson Marine Construction is a state certified general contractor and has over 30 years of local experience in building seawalls, docks and installing boat lifts for homeowners, resort and residential communities. For more information about Gibson Marine Construction’s services and experience, please call 727-942-3111 or visit our website at www.gibson-marine.com.

The dock (above) reconstructed with quality materials for visual and structural enhancements

The seawall (above) reconstructed and repaired