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Why Do Seawalls Fail? Causes and Repair

Why do Seawalls Fail?
Causes and Repair

Commercial and Residential Seawalls

An Overview

Why do Seawalls Fail? – Causes and Repair:

Inadequate maintenance and inspections
Soil erosion and overloading the soil behind the seawall
Building too close to the wall
Altering water flow or trapping water behind the seawall
Using materials unsuitable for marine conditions.
Corrosion from marine or otherwise damp environments, especially on concrete and steel rebar
Property changes, like adding pools or buildings, that add unexpected weight
Severe weather events that strain the seawall

Keep the Integrity of the Seawall Intact, and Avoid Erosion Inside, Under, and Behind the Seawall

Erosion is the main cause for seawall failure. Leaks within the wall, caused by cracks and failing joints, insufficient drainage of water runoff from the land-side, and other construction related problems, such as improper soil compaction, will contribute to premature and accelerating erosion, undermining the integrity and viability of the seawall.

Seawall Inspections

Frequent seawall inspections, especially after a heavy rainstorm or major storm, can help owners to early on recognize problems with their seawall, and perform seawall repairs in a timely, affordable and effective fashion. The key is to reduce or eliminate erosion in it’s early stages.

Seawall replacement is a costly construction project and most likely highly disruptive to the owner and the environment. Seawall construction could mean expensive and lengthy permitting processes, lasting weeks or months.

Maintaining Your Seawall

Every wave and tidal cycle provides a stress situation for a seawall structure, no matter how well constructed. As soil washes away, voids and gaps may form, in or under the wall. As a result, the footer may no longer supported by a solid foundation, leading to cracking of the wall and failing wall joints.

If the obvious need for seawall repair is ignored, the process of decay will continue and accelerate, potentially creating major hazards to people and the environment. Sinkholes are forming and the ground is caving in behind the wall, affecting nearby structures, including walkways and sidewalks, patios and pool deck slabs.

Seawalls, Seawall Footers and Bulkheads can be Repaired with Polyurethane Chemical Grouts and Epoxies

We provide the products and systems to stop water, fill voids, seal leaks, repair cracks, and stabilize loose soil for your seawall repair. Extend the service life of your seawall for years to come and at a fraction of the cost of replacement.

Use SealBoss Seawall Repair Systems and Products to:

Seal Leaking Cracks and Failing Joints
Repair Cracks Structurally to Full Strength
Stabilize and Compact Loose Soil
Fill Voids Behind and Under the Seawall
Create a Waterproof Curtain Barrier Behind and Under the Seawall

Why do Seawalls Fail? – Causes and Repair:

Polyurethane Foam Grouts

Polyurethane foams are transforming seawall repair. Available in single and two-component forms, they’re effective both above and below the waterline, mending and strengthening the seawall’s foundation. These injection resins seal leaks, fill voids, and bond with soil to create a robust, impermeable barrier, enhancing seawall longevity and durability.

Epoxy Resins

Epoxy injection is vital for restoring deteriorating seawalls, concrete dock posts, and harbor structures. Best used above the waterline, it effectively seals and repairs cracks, bolstering maritime defenses’ structural integrity.

Comprehensive Seawall Restoration Solutions

SealBoss Concrete Solutions SealBoss Concrete Solutions offers comprehensive Seawall Repair Systems including eco-friendly products certified for NSF/ANSI/CAN drinking water contact.

Mastering Seawall Repairs: A Comprehensive Guide and Audio Show

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Please don’t hesitate to call us at 714-662-4445 with any questions, or request to be contacted here, we look forward to helping you find a solution. On-site support from knowledgeable and experienced technical reps is available upon request.

Seawall Restore Products

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Seawall Repair

Seawall Repair Methods

Commercial and Residential Seawalls

Seawalls serve as guardians of our coastlines, protecting from the ocean’s force, while also shielding properties by bays, rivers, and lakes. Yet, their resilience is tested by the ceaseless tides and natural elements, resulting in wear over time.

Introduction:
Seawall Failures and Effective Seawall Repair Strategies

Over the passage of time, even the sturdiest seawalls can exhibit cracks, becoming susceptible to water penetration. In certain scenarios, the very foundation of the seawall might shift due to the erosion of its supporting substrate. Proactively identifying and rectifying these concerns can stave off escalated damage, ensuring the seawall remains a steadfast defense against water and erosion.

Whether for private residences or commercial establishments, many seawalls are crafted with similar design principles. Their upkeep and restoration can be effectively managed using hydro-active, hydrophobic polyurethane foams for leak-sealing and water-stopping, as well as two-component or dual-component polyurethane foams for void-filling and elevation.

When it comes to repairing structural concrete damages and concrete spalls in seawalls and marine piles, epoxy injection resins can be a reliable option. These resins can provide long-lasting reinforcement to the affected area, helping to ensure that the seawall or pile can continue to withstand the stress and impact of waves and tides.

Understanding why seawall failure occurs and taking timely steps to prevent further damages is important to protect your land and any structures that may be impacted by ingress of water and shifting soils.

Why Do Seawalls Fail?
Causes & Warning Signs of Seawall Failure

Poor Maintenance | Lack of Inspection to Detect Problems Early
Erosion, Washout, Sinkholes
Footing, Bulkhead Shift Due to Erosion
Cracks and Expanding Cracks in Seawall
Rust & Corroded Rebar Expansion
Drain Failure
Environmental Factors – Natural Disasters

Regular and Proactive Inspections and Maintenance: A Key Strategy to Prevent Seawall Damage

Executing frequent inspections and prompt maintenance are integral to extending the lifespan of your seawall. These preventative measures can save you from costly repairs in the long run by addressing potential issues before they escalate.

A significant issue you may encounter is the clogging of drain and weep holes. These are crucial components in the seawall’s design as they allow water accumulated behind the wall to drain. If clogged, water will build up, leading to added stress on the seawall and potential damage. This accumulation of water can soften and loosen the soil behind the wall, which could increase pressure and raise the water table. Such conditions might result in the formation of cracks in the seawall structure, thus creating new, unintended pathways for water flow and consequently causing soil erosion.

Understanding the Implications of Soil Erosion due to Accumulated Damages

Water migration through these new pathways, cracks, voids, and defects can lead to a gradual weakening of the seawall. As the wall undergoes consistent damage and erosion, its foundation may lose support and shift. This can be particularly problematic because soil erosion has the potential to create sinkholes. These sinkholes can further collect water, accelerating the decay process and potentially leading to the seawall’s failure.

Hence, regular inspection and maintenance can help identify early signs of soil erosion and structural damages, thereby preventing severe consequences and ensuring the longevity of your seawall.

Seawall, Bulkhead, Revetment Repair:
Advanced Polymer Systems and Specialized Equipment Solutions

Seawall Insights: Lifespan, Costs, and Innovative Repairs

Seawalls are meticulously designed for specific functions. However, many seawalls have a lifespan of just 25 – 50 years, and possibly less without inspections and maintenance.

Depending on the location, the cost of replacing a deteriorating seawall can range from $200 to in excess of $1000 per foot, prompting many homeowners to seek alternative solutions.

Fortunately, available repair solutions allow for addressing signs of seawall distress early on. The use of polyurethane grouts and epoxy resins can effectively seal leaks, fill voids, stabilize surrounding soils, and provide structural repairs where needed.

Seawall Repair Techniques Used For Seawall Repair

Seawall repair procedures and techniques include polyurethane crack injection, soil stabilization injection grouting, permeation grouting, structural support and void fill grouting, as well as structural epoxy injection.

By reinforcing, sealing, and repairing seawalls, you can not only maintain their structural integrity but also considerably prolong their lifespan.

SealBoss Offers a Suite of Advanced Repair and Injection Systems tailored for Seawall Restoration

We offer specialized products and systems designed to stop water intrusion, seal gaps, mend leaks, fix cracks, and fortify unstable soil for comprehensive seawall and bulkhead repair. Prolong the lifespan of your seawall for many more years, all at a cost significantly lower than a complete replacement.

Polyurethane Foam Injection Technology

Delivering unmatched robust performance in challenging and wet conditions, polyurethane injection grouting presents a comprehensive array of repair solutions, featuring a variety of grouts and application methods.

Depending on the specific need, these methods can be combined for optimal results. Among the prominent techniques are:

Crack Injection and Curtain Grouting: These methods are used to seal cracks and crevices, prevent general water ingress and further deterioration and erosion
Soil Stabilization and Permeation Grouting: By solidifying the soil around the seawall, this technique ensures a stable foundation, reducing the risk of shifts or collapses. This process involves injecting grout into the soil to reduce its permeability, thereby preventing erosion and water infiltration
Structural Support and Void Fill Grouting: Voids or gaps behind or beneath the seawall can compromise its stability. This technique fills these voids, ensuring the seawall remains firm and upright.

Epoxy Resin Seawall Repair Technology

Specially designed to provide structural strength repairs to concrete cracks and spalling damages, epoxy injection provides sustained structural reinforcement to the vulnerable portions of seawalls, concrete dock posts, and other maritime structures that manifest signs of gradual deterioration. Primarily utilized above the water table.

Epoxy Injection: Filling, sealing of crack and voids, and providing structural adhesive strength to concrete structures.

Seawall Repair Equipment

Adequate product delivery and application equipment is vital, as it ensures repair materials are
accurately and efficiently injected and delivered at the necessary pressures, achieving the desired penetration and comprehensive repair.

Injection Pumps, which deliver repair materials like polyurethane grouts and epoxy resins to damaged areas; Injection Packers, which connect the pump to the seawall and ensure efficient material delivery; and Injection Soil Lances and Needles, designed to treat and stabilize the surrounding soil.

By leveraging these products and techniques, one can ensure that seawalls remain robust and resilient against the challenges posed by nature and time.

When to Use Polyurethane Foam Grout for Seawall Repair

Enter polyurethane foams, a game-changer in seawall repair. These lightweight injection resins offer a multi-pronged solution: they seal leaks, fill voids, mix with soil to create a solid, impermeable mass, and support footings and foundations.

Understanding the Applications of Single Component Hydro Active Foams for Seawall Repair

SealBoss 1510 Polyurethane Foam is a single component foam, it excels in sealing cracks and offers impressive soil penetration and stabilization properties. It is activated by an accelerator and is particularly effective for soil permeation and consolidation.
Used for crack injection to stop water flow, seal leaks and fill voids, curtain grouting to seal any gaps between structures and their surrounding substrates, and for soil permeation and stabilization, ensuring the firmness of the substrate, footing, and the entire structure – this versatile, single-component, accelerator controlled, hydrophobic polyurethane foam is activated upon contact with water.
During the reaction phase, SealBoss 1510 infiltrates deep into the cracks or surrounding soil. This permeation helps seal all voids and fissures, simultaneously stabilizing and anchoring any loose substrate. This feature makes it an ideal solution for maintaining structural integrity and preventing water damage.

Other SealBoss Hydroactive Foams and Gels to Consider:

SealBoss 1570 and 1570LV flexible hydrophobic foams.
SealBoss Flexgel hydrophilic gel.
SealBoss 2400 ultra low viscosity acrylate gel.

Understanding the Applications of Plural Component / Two Component Foams for Seawall Repair

SealBoss 1640, is a two component, structural foam, best suited for filling voids behind and underneath structures, especially in larger aggregate environments.
This robust foam offers formidable support, playing a pivotal role in strengthening the seawall’s stability. Yet, it is vital to recognize its constraints: while adept at gap-filling, it is less suited for permeating soil.
SealBoss 1640 can exert significant pressure and lifting forces. Thus, a thorough understanding of your seawall’s specific conditions and needs is imperative before deploying this product. When applied within its recommended parameters, SealBoss 1640 can be potent ally in fortifying seawalls, enhancing their durability and prolonging their operational life.

Other SealBoss Two Component Foam to Consider:

SealBoss 1625

When to Use Epoxy Crack Injection for Seawall Repair

Resilient epoxy injection resins are used for structural crack repairs in seawalls and marine piles. Cracks are often present in areas that are above the water table and should be preferably dry at the time of application.

Understanding the Applications of Epoxy Resins for Seawall Repair

SealBoss 4040 epoxy injection resin and SealBoss 4500 epoxy paste are outstanding products in the realm of structural concrete restoration, and an important product for seawalls, concrete dock posts, and various harbor infrastructure repairs exhibiting deterioration, cracking, and spalling. Epoxy resins can proficiently seal and repair cracks and significantly enhance the structural robustness of concrete marine installations.

Other SealBoss Epoxy Resins to Consider:

SealBoss 4050 SLV

What SealBoss Equipment Do I Need For Seawall Repair?

We recommend our SealBoss Injection Packer and Surface Port System for crack repair, Injection Lances and Grout Injection Needles for permeation grouting and soil stabilization. SealBoss also supplies a wide variety of injection pumps.

Equipment and Accessories for Seawall Repair

Injection Pumps: These are used to deliver repair materials, such as polyurethane grouts and epoxy resins, into the cracks, voids, or other damaged areas of a seawall.
Injection Packers: Packers act as a bridge between the injection pump and the seawall. They ensure that the repair material is securely and efficiently delivered to the intended area.
Injection Soil Lances and Injection Needles: Specifically designed to treat the soil around the seawall. Soil lances are designed to penetrate deep into the ground, ensuring that the repair material reaches the desired depth.
Seal Oakum: Soakable Oakum to stop leaks in large gaps

Audio Show:
Seawall Repair Discussion and Valuable Information

Tap into our Seawall Repair Network of Specialists

SealBoss works with a network of seawall, foundation, and specialty polymer injection specialists. Discover a nearby seawall repair contractor in our national network. Reduce your expenses on seawall and concrete bulkhead repairs.

Two industry professionals talk about seawall repair with single and dual component polyurethanes. The procedures discussed cover general injection grouting procedures, including erosion control, permeation grouting and seawall support and footing stabilization.

How to Seal Grout Joints in Natural Boulder | Rock | Stone River Seawall

How to Seal Grout Joints
in
Natural Boulder | Rock | Stone River Seawall

Seawall Leak Repair with SB 1510 Injection Foam

Cold joint and crack injection of grout joints in Natural Boulder | Rock | Stone | River Seawall using the SealBoss 1510 Water Stop Foam – NSF Listed and Drinking Water System Component Approved injection System

Location: Granite Boat Chute, Arkansas River, Colorado

Objective: To Seal Leaks and Repair Cracks in Seawall Grout Cold Joints

Cold joint and crack injection of grout joints in Natural Boulder, Rock, Stone, River Seawall

SealBoss 1510 Water Stop Foam – NSF Listed and Drinking Water System Component Approved injection System

Along the beautiful and pristine Arkansas river is the Granite Boat Chute. For the first time in more than half a century, rafters and boaters can float the Arkansas River from Leadville to Cañon City without disruption.

During a repair last season on the divider seawall and re-installation of a section of the boulder wall a cementitious grout was used to bond boulders together and to bond to existing boulders and existing grout. Over time some of the cold joints between the old grout and new grout started leaking. Leaks also developed at bond failures between the natural boulders and rocks, and the cementitious grout. Hairline cracks also developed to contribute to water seepage.

SealBoss 1510 NSF hydro active foam, an environmentally friendly product with NSF drinking water contact certification, was injected into the areas of bond failure to seal the boulder seawall from water intrusion and to prevent future water induced issues with freeze / thaw cycles that contribute to further damages and eventually could lead to blowing out the seawall.

Spacing of the packers was at an interval of 12” and the catalyst was initially at a 5% by volume to allow for travel down in to the areas between the stone to ensure a proper seal throughout the conglomeration. Later the accelerator was increased to a 10% by volume to 1510 to foster a more rapid reaction and cure to fill in some of the remaining voids.

In conclusion, this project outlines innovative solutions that can be employed to address natural wear and erosion challenges.

The use of SealBoss 1510 NSF hydro active foam showcases the potential of polyurethane foam technology in ensuring the longevity and safety of such structures. By addressing the cold joints, bond failures, and hairline cracks, the SealBoss system not only rectified the immediate issues but also fortified the seawall against future damages.

SealBoss ® 1510 NSF Water Stop Foam for infiltrating water:

Seawall Repair | Crack & Joint Leak-Seal | Soil Stabilization | Permeation Grouting
Defective Concrete (Cracked or Honeycombed)
Concrete Construction Joints & Cracks
Brick Construction, Geo Formations

SealBoss ® 1510 NSF Water Stop Foam Advantages:

Advanced NSF Formulation
Up to 40+ Times Expansion
SealBoss ® Product-Pump-Packer System Solution
Unregulated For Transport
Solvent Free MDI Technology

For hands-on or virtual training sessions, please reach out to SealBoss. Our regional technical representatives are ready to guide you through our comprehensive SealBoss system solutions and offerings. Contact us today to schedule your personalized session.

Inquire more about the outstanding SealBoss 1510 NSF Drinking Water Contact Approved Injection Foam when you call us here at SealBoss. Your representative will be happy to help you out.

SealBoss ® 1510
Water Stop Foam

Leak-Seal Foam Grout
Water Stop Foam Grout
Hydrophobic Injection Foam Grout

Our #1 Selling Polyurethane Injection Foam
Water Cut-Off Injection Grout
Drinking Water Contact certified – NSF/ANSI 61 Section 5. 1510 PU Foam & Oakum Pipe Plug Kit

SealBoss Injection Systems

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Seawall Repair with Polyurethane Foams | Plural Component vs Single Component Foam

Seawall Repair with Polyurethane Foams
Plural Component vs Single Component Foam

This article contains an excerpt from the “SealBoss Concrete Solution Network Podcast – Seawall Repair | Bulkhead Repair | Erosion Control | Permeation Grouting”, featuring Jerald Sargent of Slabjack Geotechnical. Jerald has over 30 years of experience in the slabjacking and geo-technical industry. If you’d like to listen to the complete conversation, an audio version of the podcast is posted at the bottom of the article.

In this podcast we talk about the use of single and plural component foams for seawall repairs.

Both foam types have their place in seawall repair but the contractor needs to have a good understanding of their respective characteristics and area of application.

Single component (accelerator activated) foams offer outstanding crack sealing and good soil penetrating, permeation and soil aggregate stabilizing properties.

Plural component foams are excellent void fillers, support and lifter foams, predominantly used for slabjacking and slab lifting.

Single Component Foams are Preferred for Soil Permeation and Soil Consolidation — Plural Component Foams are Good for Filling Voids in Certain Applications

In the following Jerald discusses the use and limitations of Plural Component Foam.

Jerald Sargent: …Sometimes plural components make a lot of sense… where there’s obvious gaps behind the wall or maybe in a you know in a big boulder type of Bulkhead where they just use big rock rather than poured concrete. So plural components are good for filling voids in there and helping to lock [larger] aggregate together…

In most poured concrete walls we stay away from plural component simply because of the risks associated with it.

Going right along with that, one of the things that plural component is not appropriate for is injecting underneath the walls…

There’s virtually no permeation [into the soil] involved with plural component polyurethanes. It’ll [the soil] take up, it’ll absorb a little bit push through a little bit of that but it will not do it to the point where you have a solid structure built below the wall itself.

And I think that it is really important to understand the real limitation of the plural component polyurethane. And we use hundreds of thousands of pounds of a year in our slapjack in operation.

But it really isn’t appropriate in most cases to do a poured concrete wall [soil] stabilization.

To learn more about seawall repair and single and plural component foams you may want to listen to the podcast below.

Or just call us directly at 714-662-4445.

Seawall Repair with Polyurethane Foam