When soil behind a seawall washes out, the wall loses the support it depends on. Fort Lauderdale's porous limestone and fluctuating tides make this especially common.
Stabilization targets the cause: filling voids, reinforcing the toe, adding or repairing tiebacks and restoring drainage so the wall stops moving.
Signs you may need seawall stabilization
- Wall leaning outward
- Separation between cap and yard
- Recurring sinkholes
- Soil stains in canal water after tides
- Pavers or patio settling near the wall
- Exposed toe at low tide
How the work typically goes
- Step 1
Locate voids
Identify where support has been lost behind and below the wall.
- Step 2
Stabilize
Use void filling, toe protection, rip rap or tieback work as the condition requires.
- Step 3
Restore
Regrade, repair drainage and restore the surface behind the wall.
Where we take requests
Seawall Stabilization requests are welcome across Fort Lauderdale waterfront, including Las Olas Isles, Coral Ridge, Rio Vista, Harbor Beach, Nurmi Isles, Seven Isles, Sunrise Key, Lauderdale Harbors and properties along the New River, Middle River and Intracoastal Waterway.
View service areasSeawall Stabilization FAQs
Can a leaning seawall be stabilized?
+
Often, if the lean is caught early and the panels are structurally sound. Severe lean may require replacement or a new wall in front of the existing one.
What causes voids behind seawalls in Fort Lauderdale?
+
Tidal water moving through joints and cracks carries soil out over time. Porous limestone, failed filter fabric and blocked weep holes can all accelerate it.