Having a house along the coast is extremely amazing. The salty breeze of the sea can be a nice addition to your day-to-day living, and the beach provides a great view. Though there are a lot of sights to see, you might have seen several seawalls near canals or bays, protecting the land from waves.
Are these seawalls necessary? What is their purpose? Today, we’re going to share with you several things you should know about a seawall. We will discuss what they are, why they are necessary, why you’ll need a seawall repair Fort Lauderdale, and much more.
What’s a Seawall?
First of all, what’s a seawall? For those who don’t know, it’s a structure that offers something of protection for bays and canals. A seawall can lower the eroding effect of the waves from the sea. It also lowers the energy of the waves to defend the nearby land and the people. A seawall basically redirects the waves back to the ocean. It prevents possible erosion and damage over time.
Is It Necessary?
Seawalls lower the energy of the waves, as mentioned above. Because of this, it lowers damage and erosion along the surrounding area. Ocean waves can gradually eat away at the landscape if left ignored. This can lead to flooding. If the erosion is big enough, it can easily put the waterside buildings at risk. They can be prone to corrosion or collapse. Also, the residents and their properties are at bigger threat if the area floods.
Basically, seawalls protect people and structures from the negative impact of waves. It can also lower the consequences of strong waves during hurricanes and storms. Furthermore, seawalls can provide a sturdy defense against tsunamis if they are strong and big enough.
There are two different types of a seawall. This includes riprap embankments and vertical walls. Every type offers the same purpose in a different approach. However, a particular type might be more appropriate compared to the other in a certain case.
Riprap Embankments
This type of seawall, also known as revetments, is excellent for low-impact places. They are also pretty affordable. Riprap embankments do not do well against strong waves. However, they can break up the energy of a small wave. This lowers the wave’s erosion effect and securing the coastline.
Basically, this type of seawall starts with a rubble mound. The mound’s side is covered in stones, sandbags, or porous rocks. It’s typically exposed to the sea. This type of seawall is often made from other materials such as construction demolition leftovers or paving. However, limestone and granite are the most commonly utilized materials.
Vertical Seawalls
This type of seawall is quite easy to build. They can easily deflect the energy of a wave to protect the coastline. From the name itself, the structure is upright. It’s made of durable walls that block waves from impacting the coastline. People can install piles in from of the wall to lower a bit the energy of a wave and curtail the wave’s impact on the coastline.
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