Erosion is a common problem near moving water. Rain carries away bits of soil and washes away pieces of rock. This situation can be made worse by factors like strong winds, wave currents and tidal currents. To prevent erosion from happening, seawalls are often installed near oceans, lakes, rivers, creeks and canals.
Seawalls are structures built along the coast to prevent the waves from coming into contact with the sand and shore on the other side. They can also help stabilize cliffs and prevent land and infrastructure from coastal flooding. Seawalls are most commonly made from materials like wood, concrete, rock and steel sheet piles.
However, in order for seawalls to do their jobs effectively, they must be in good, stable condition. Seawalls do not last forever and do need routine maintenance. A common issue that seawalls deal with is erosion behind the wall. Fortunately, there is an easy way to address this issue and ensure that the seawall can fulfill its purpose.
Why are Seawalls in Mississippi Failing?
There are a couple of reasons why a seawall might be failing. First, many seawalls built in Mississippi were built a long time ago using low standards. The methods and materials weren’t the same as what we would use today. Therefore, seawalls between 50 and 100 years old definitely need some attention!
Second, seawalls require care over time. Between heavy rains, storm surges, salt corrosion, tidal action, currents and boat wakes, there’s stress and mounting pressure happening behind the seawall. As a result, seawalls are likely to experience cracks, small sinkholes, leaning or bowing and poor drainage. When this happens, the seawall is compromised.
How to Address Seawall Repair in Gulfport MS
Fortunately, there is no need to tear down a seawall and build another one, unless it’s in very poor condition. Instead, polyurethane injections can be used to repair damaged seawalls. Of course, identifying problems early on is crucial. The sooner you identify these issues, the easier they will be to correct.
So what are polyurethane injections, exactly? A polyurethane solution (polyol and isocyanate resin sealant) is injected deep into the holes behind the seawall. This lightweight foam material forms a barrier of protection, strengthening the soil behind the wall and preventing further erosion.
Filling holes or depressions with concrete does not work. Cement is heavy and will sink into the ground creating new voids. Polyurethane, on the other hand, is light and strong. It will not weigh down the soil, and it’s completely safe for the environment and sea life. Furthermore, no heavy equipment or machinery is required, preserving the natural landscape.
Schedule Seawall Repair Today
The best way to know whether or not your seawall repair in Gulfport can be addressed with polyurethane injections is by scheduling an inspection with Foremost Foundations and Construction. One of our experts will assess the condition of your seawall and determine if polyurethane injections will fix the problem!
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