- Serving Michigan For Over 20 Years
- Over 8,000 properties restored
- Locally Owned & Operated
Grand Rapids, Michigan is one of the most famous cities in America, full of tourists and homeowners who love to explore the never-ending sights of this city. One of the biggest attractions is the Grand River, which flows through the city, and many homeowners and businesses have decided to place their property next to it!
While the Grand River and other surrounding water in Grand Rapids, MI, can provide breathtaking sights, they can also pose a threat to any property that lies on the banks of the river. Fortunately, we at Bluebird CFW have dedicated our business to helping homeowners and property owners in Grand Rapids protect their homes with seawall repair and seawall inspection services!
What is Seawall Repair?
Seawall repair services are done on seawalls that surround a waterfront property. These seawalls can become damaged over time or due to adverse weather conditions that put pressure on the seawall. If these seawalls break, water can quickly begin to inundate and erode a property that was once protected by the seawall.
Seawall repairs are, therefore, essential in order to ensure the integrity of the seawall, as well as protect the property from further water damage. Seawall repair services are specialized and are only done by a handful of professional companies that have the right tools, expertise, and experience with seawalls.
Fortunately, we at Bluebird CFW offer seawall repair in Grand Rapids, MI. We use state-of-the-art technology and tools to repair your seawalls.
Do I Need Seawall Repair in Grand Rapids, MI?
Seawalls are built to last for quite some time, and they are complex engineering structures that can serve to protect your home for a number of years. Unfortunately, although seawalls might be built to last, they can suffer from structural issues as the years wear on.
Some signs that you might need seawall repair services conducted include cracks in the seawall. These cracks can be seen horizontally near the cap of your seawall or underwater. In addition to cracks, other signs of a damaged seawall include voids that look like sinkholes located near the edge of the seawall.
If you notice any of these issues and notice visible damage to your seawall, you need to act fast in order to get repairs done right away. Water damage in Grand Rapids has caused major foundational issues. Thus, conducting repairs as soon as possible can help prevent other issues from arising, such as flooding and permanent damage that will require you to replace the entire seawall.
Bluebird CFW Can Help Repair Your Seawall Through Several Methods, Including:
1. Sealing Cracks Using High-quality Sealants
Bluebird CFW uses polyurethane sealant or resin to help seal the cracks within your seawall. Polyurethane seawall repairs are tough and can even help reinforce your seawall, making it better than before.
2. Pressure Release Technology
We will install channels in your seawall to help get rid of the pressure that has built up after a number of years. This pressure builds up due to water overflowing into your seawall. By adding these channels, we can ensure your hydrostatic pressure remains regulated so your seawall does not suffer from built-up pressure again.
Why Get Professional Help for Seawall Repair?
The sooner you initiate repairs to your seawall, the better the chances will be of being able to fix your seawall instead of needing to replace it. Replacing a seawall can be incredibly costly, so it’s best to call a professional to help address any issues with your seawall.
Opt for a reputable company like Bluebird CFW instead of companies that use inferior products like cement or even gravel to fill voids and cracks near your seawall.
Seawall Inspection in Grand Rapids, MI
Bluebird CFW also wants to help homeowners have peace of mind and know that their seawall continues to remain in good condition. We will conduct inspections of your seawall, checking for any cracks in the seawall structure, as well as doing a perimeter check.
Looking for seawall repair near you? These inspections help ensure we catch problems with your seawall before they lead to further damage. Even subtle signs, such as pools of water near the edge of your wall and sinkholes, can indicate massive problems.
Bluebird CFW will send our technicians to check for signs of the following:
- Cracks in the cap or wall panels
- Pools of water near the edge wall
- Soil Erosion
- Voids and sinkholes
- Leaning or bowing walls
Seawall Stabilization
If there are any problems with the integrity of your seawall, we can help stabilize the structure by injecting fillers that harden the soil around the seawall. We can also install helical pliers to help support the seawall around your home and around small boat docks.
Combined, these methods can help stabilize your seawall and help it protect your Grand Rapids, MI home or business.
Schedule Seawall Repair Services In Grand Rapids, MI with Bluebird CFW
We want to help you get the help you need to repair your seawall and protect your home from water damage. If you’re wondering how much it costs to build a seawall in Grand Rapids, MI, don’t hesitate. Call us today for a free estimate or to schedule a consultation. We are ready to answer any queries you may have regarding seawall repair in Grand Rapids or Michigan area. We also offer foundation repair, basement waterproofing, crawl space waterproofing, and egress window installation!
Frequently Asked Questions
Seawall is a vertical structure parallel to the shore, separating land and water areas. A normal seawall includes materials like masonry, concrete, or sheet piles. It acts as a defense to the shoreline, protecting the surrounding property from soil erosion and flooding. The seawall can usually last 30 to 50 years with proper maintenance.
Seawalls have two basic structures called vertical seawalls and riprap barriers, which can look different. A vertical seawall is upright and sturdy to block waves from damaging properties near the coastline. Riprap embankments consist of rubble mounds in which sandbags cover the side exposed to the sea to protect the coastal line.
The purpose of the seawall is to provide defense and protection for surrounding properties on the shoreline from storm surge flooding or soil erosion. A seawall helps to protect the properties from any damage near a coastline because there is a high chance of seawall damage during wave action and storm surge.
Seawall repairs help repair the seawall in cases of damage like crack repair. Some seawall repair methods are earth anchors to prevent the seawall from tipping toward the water, using PRT (pressure release technique) to control hydraulic pressure from the water and crack injection to seal the walls. Other repairs include grout bag, sheet pile, crack and joint, corrosion control, and seawall cap repairs!
The main causes of seawall damage include–
- Soil erosion
- Hydrostatic pressure behind the seawall
- Poor construction of the seawall
- Ice buildup near the seawall
Water buildup around the seawall will soften the soil around it, raising the pressure and water table and causing soil erosion and seawall damage.
At Bluebird CFW, we repair seawall damage by assessing the damaged area. Then we clean the damaged area for any remnant dirt and debris. Similarly, if necessary, we repair and fill the cracks and gaps and replace the severely damaged section of the seawall. We also apply a sealant to the repaired areas to further protect the repaired seawall.
Hydrostatic pressure control prevents any future water buildup behind the water and protects the seawall from damage. If you don’t check your water buildup, it can damage even the strongest seawalls by causing hydrostatic pressure. Using high-quality epoxy and concrete repair materials is the best way to restore the strength and integrity of your seawall.
The seawall anchoring system is an anchor attached to the seawall by a tieback. Seawalls rely on it to hold up to high loads. Some anchors, like earth anchors, help to protect the seawall from getting damaged by a storm or high tide. A seawall anchoring system consists of components such as tieback anchors, piles or piers, sheet piles, and concrete fill to keep the seawall in place.
Inspection is important to identify any issues before a seawall repair, and therefore, at Bluebird CFW, we provide free estimates and inspections for your seawall. Additionally, we use tough sealants to fix and prevent cracks and use pressure release technology so there is no water buildup and pressure around your seawall. We also fix any problems with soil erosion or voids that threaten your seawall.
Seawall erosion can be repaired with helical piers, which support your foundation and correct any damage from water and soil. It helps stabilize and restore your seawall’s integrity and prevent future erosion. This method saves you a lot of money and provides the best results by filling the gaps created by soil erosion.
A seawall in Grand Rapids can range between $150 to $800 per linear foot. However, building a seawall in a residential project can slightly increase to $60,000 depending on the materials used and the area. You can expect the price to fluctuate if you want to build a seawall in a high soil erosion zone. For cases like this, the seawall cost amounts to $2,000 per linear foot.
