(231) 670-3468 
SERVICES
Our professional staff are experts in seawall design and installation. They know the Lake Michigan shoreline and understand Lake Michigan’s wave actions. Our engineers and designers are expertly trained and highly knowledgeable in the science of wave energy and its erosive processes, and determining the optimal seawall choice to protect your property’s shoreline. We will meet with you to determine the best seawall solution to preserve your property’s shoreline and handle everything from permits to construction to maintenance.
Seawall Design
WHICH TYPE OF SEAWALL IS RIGHT FOR YOU
There are several types of seawall designs that have been used successfully to stop the erosive forces of Great Lakes wave action along Michigan’s shoreline. If your property is suffering from wave erosion, a seawall is a highly effective solution, but it must be designed not only to protect your shoreline, but also to fit with the aesthetics of your property. We will work with you to identify the appropriate seawall design.
CONSIDERATIONS IN DESIGNING YOUR SEAWALL
There are many considerations that we include in designing a seawall for our clients. Among these are understanding the intensity and complexity of the wave forces that are eroding your property. We also study and analyze the source of the wave action (e.g., tidal action, boat wake, etc.), and we examine the slope of your property at the shoreline (steep, gradual, etc). Along with those factors, we analyze the make up of your shoreline itself, whether it’s predominantly sandy, contains clay or silt, or rocky. All of these conditions will help determine the best design for your seawall.
Seawall Construction
SEAWALLS ARE MADE OF DIFFERENT MATERIALS
Seawalls are constructed from a variety of materials, depending on which one is the most aesthetically suited to your property as well as will provide the best protection of your shoreline from the erosive effects of the wave energy in your location. The materials we use include natural fieldstone, steel, vinyl, black steel, and limestone block. Each material is effective in protecting shoreline erosion depending on the requisite needs of your situation.
WHAT TYPE OF SEAWALL IS RIGHT FOR YOU
Seawalls are usually constructed in one of three different types: Vertical, Curved, and Mounded. Which choice depends on the strength and intensity of the wave action and its erosive impact on your property’s shoreline. Vertical seawalls are used in particularly exposed situations with intense erosive wave activity because they successfully reflect wave energy. Curved seawalls dissipate wave force and the curved apex prevent waves from overtopping the wall while the wall itself redirects the wave energy, reducing turbulence. Mound seawalls are constructed in cases where the erosional processes are lower energy and don’t damage the shoreline as intensely as high energy wave impact.
AVAILABLE SEAWALL MATERIALS
Natural Field Stone
Offers natural erosion control using large field stone blocks whose weight employs gravitational forces provide erosion protection.
Steel
Steel seawalls provide maximum erosion protection and they are extremely durable providing many years of service.
Black Steel
Black steel seawalls are optimal for Michigan’s Great Lakes with their high ice accumulation and consequent pressure forces.
Vinyl
Vinyl seawalls are lightweight, durable, and efficient, offering strong, long-lasting protection against shoreline erosion where wave action and ice accumulation are not as intense.
Limestone Block
Along with utilizing their weight and the force of gravity to prevent shoreline erosion, limestone seawalls are optimal for more aesthetic, custom designs and solutions.
Seawall Repair
WE CAN REPAIR YOUR SEAWALL
If your current seawall is in need of repair, our team of experts can provide any repairs necessary quickly and effectively with our advanced technologies and materials. The repairs we can effect include bulkhead repair, seawall repair, seawall sealing, shoreline foundation repair, bulkhead replacement, and more, with excellent results. Repairs are better done sooner than later.
EVALUATING THE DAMAGE TO YOUR SEAWALL
There are many factors we evaluate to determine whether your seawall can be repaired, and if so, how best to perform repairs that will be effective and lasting. Damage to a seawall can stem from isolated events such as a shift in the underlying geologic formations, a change in the tidal forces, or just the deterioration of the materials used in older seawalls due to years of exposure to natural forces. We can accurately determine the causal factor(s) and implement effective and lasting repairs.
Seawall Maintenance
REGULAR SEAWALL MAINTENANCE CAN PREVENT PROBLEMS
Although there are a few things you can do to monitor the structural soundness of your seawall, we provide regular, ongoing inspections to prevent damage to your seawall and to identify any problems such as leaks, cracks, or corrosion; dislodged stones that should be replaced; separation of joints between slabs; and more. These types of damage require professional attention and we stand ready to provide them. Regular seawall maintenance can prevent problems from developing.
IS IT TIME TO INSPECT YOUR SEAWALL?
If you inherited a seawall when you purchased your property, you probably had it inspected then. If not, or if it’s been a few years, you should have your seawall inspected thoroughly now. Keep an eye on plant growth on or around your seawall. Although plants can compliment the natural aesthetic of your property, weeds can bore into the ground and crack seawall liners. If your seawall has weep holes, keep them clear of clogs and debris, otherwise water pressure can build up and cause cracks and crumbling. Our expert staff can identify problems before they become serious, costing you time and money.
Retaining Walls
Retaining walls protect your beachfront property from the erosive effects of strong tides and wave damage from storms. They are especially effective on sloping landscapes, preserving your landscape from washing away and reducing your property value. Retaining walls are not only functional, they can be decorative, adding an aesthetic enhancement to your beachfront landscape. We offer an array of retaining wall types and materials and we’ll design your wall to complement your existing landscaping.
(231) 670-3468 