How to Build Seawall

Owing Waterfront property is in many ways a blessing with lots of enjoyable moments to be had at the water’s edge both its is also a curse in disguise with plenty of maintenance with erosion from the high tide being one such problem the solution is a seawall to stop the gradual migration of your property to the water’s edge.

Required Materials

• Concrete
• Boards
• Gravel
• Sand
• Soil

Required Tools

• Jackhammer (Optional)
• Shovel
• Bucket
• Drill
• Saw
• String
  

  Instructions

  1. First and foremost before an attempt to start building a seawall ensure that the correct building procedure is known and the local authorities is consulted for permission and any advice they may offer.
  2. Inspect the area and survey the perfect area on the shoreline where the seawall can be built make note of the behavior of the seawater when it is at the maximum on your property the seawall should be tall enough to block the water but not be completely submerged by the high tide.
  3. Mark the intervals where the post will be set up it should be approximately 8 feet apart at the most.
  4. At the marked spots start digging holes to place post. the area can be as tough as concrete so use a jackhammer to make the task a bit easier the holes should be 2 feet by 10 inches
  5. Now place post in the holes securing them with string and ensuring that they have been evenly placed.
  6. Fill the remaining area with concrete so that the posts are secured properly. Let the concrete stand for 24 hours to dry out completely
  7. Measure the distance between each post and cut the boards accordingly this is to ensure that they are evenly placed.
  8. Individually measure the mounting points on each post and mark them accordingly then drill holes so in the boards so that they can be mounted.
  9. When mounting the boards ensure that you are assisted by a capable hand so that they boards are mounted securely
  10. The lower portion of the board that faces the house should be filled with gravel and sand
  11. Cover this filling with a layer of soil then seal with concrete to ensure its not eroded easily

  Tips

  • It is advisable to place the boards on the outer side of the shoreline. This is because the damaged boards can be easily replaced without damaging the layer of gravel and sand, which has been placed on the inner side.