Seawall Repair

June 7 2022

Seawall / Bulkhead Repair Case Study Using Deep Foamjection™

Parker Chilcoat Bulkhead Repair, Seawall Repair

Project: Matagorda seawall repair due to deterioration of concrete seawall and bulkhead

Size: Eighty-eight linear feet of seawall.

Time To Complete: 30 hours (a day and a half)

Problem: Concrete Seawall Deterioration in Matagorda

Concrete Alignment Technology (CAT Foam) was contacted by a gentleman who was looking for options to repair his failing concrete seawall for his bay home in Matagorda, TX. The home was located on a canal that connects directly to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The non-stop commercial traffic, consisting of tugboats pushing massive 300-ton steel barges, created a constant displacement of water in the canal which caused the concrete seawall to deteriorate and allow water infiltration. Due to this continuous water movement, the base soil was washed out and voids began to develop below the seawall. Once the support soils were lost, sinkholes or settlement of soils along the seawall became apparent.

Matagorda seawall repair

Summary: Benefits of Matagorda Seawall Repair with CAT Foam Polyurethane Foam Injection

The homeowner was exploring other solutions such as the replacement of the entire length of the seawall. He was stunned when he received a quote from a local company for just over $34,000 to replace the concrete seawall. Our polyurethane injection process helped the owner avoid the costly hassle of dealing with coastal marine contractors and the time-consuming process of seawall replacement. After the initial walkthrough of the property, the CAT Foam team inspected the area, and it was determined that eighty-eight linear feet of bulkhead were failing and in need of repair.
This saved the customer $24,500, increased the useful life of the seawall structure, and minimal invasiveness of the area receiving treatment.

Solution: Affordable Seawall Repair Delivered On-Time and Within Budget

CAT Foam used the Deep Foamjection™ process to stabilize the soils and prevent further erosion and loss of soil without excavating or damaging the seawall. Deep Foamjection™ is the process of injecting high-density foam to specified depths to reestablish and increase the load-bearing capacity of the soils. The material used for this project was HMI’s expansive polyurethane 402-HydroFoam. HydroFoam was chosen due to its unique hydro-insensitive polymers that aggressively seek out voids and maintain dimensional stability in wet environments.

For this Matagorda seawall repair project, CAT Foam installed twenty-one injection points along the seawall at depths of approximately 3ft and 6ft under the ground. The entire process was completed in a day and a half, and CAT Foam provided a cost-effective solution.

For a free estimate on Matagorda seawall repair or concrete lifting & leveling, call CAT Foam at (800) 595-1880

May 14 2022

Concrete Seawall Repair-Galveston Texas

Parker Chilcoat Seawall Repair, Bulkhead Repair, Void Fill

Project Type: Concrete Seawall Repair, Void Fill

Location: Galveston, TX

Problem:

Concrete Alignment Technology (C.A.T.FOAM) was called by a homeowner who noticed some erosion behind the concrete seawall at his bay home in Galveston, TX. The property was located on a canal which connects to Galveston Bay. Due to poor rainwater drainage around the home, tidal movement, among other variables, there was an extreme loss of soils around the property. This erosion had created a substantial void and cavity underneath portions of the home’s foundation and the entire 110 linear feet of sidewalk that connects to the seawall barrier cap. Furthermore, after performing multiple soil tests along the seawall barrier, using a Dynamic Cone Penetrometer, the soil testing report indicated weak soils at the 6.5 ft depth which was calculated to be just below the water level at high tide. It was also noted that the location of the voids and unstable soils were consistent with the seams where the concrete panels were joined.

Summary:

The homeowner had already explored other options to repair his failing seawall but was unsatisfied with the price. One of the alternatives was quoted to be well over $50,000 and a minimum of 3 weeks to complete. The alternative option would have required an extremely invasive process of ripping up the entire connecting sidewalk and excavating around the home and seawall. The homeowner decided to go with C.A.T.FOAM’s non-invasive option which included a two stage process using HMI™ polymer resin technologies. Firstly, stabilizing the deeper subgrade soils followed by filling the large voids and cavities underneath the connecting sidewalk and home’s foundation.

Solution:

C.A.T.FOAM completed the soil stabilization process using HMI’s Deep Foamjection™ method. The Deep Foamjection™ method consisted of injecting high density polyurethane foam to specified depths behind the seawall in order to reestablish the load-bearing capacity of the soils and sealing the concrete panels from future water intrusion. The material used for this stage of the project was HMI’s expansive polyurethane 402-HydroFoam due to its tremendous hydro-insensitive polymers and ability to set up in wet environments. For the soil stabilization stage, a total of 22 injection points were installed behind the seawall and approximately 55-70 lbs of foam was pumped per injection point at specified depths of 6.5 ft and 3.5 ft into the subgrade. A total of 1,300 lbs of 402-HydroFoam material was installed along the seawall barrier. The second stage of the project, void filling, was completed using FillRite Technologies FillFoam™ material which is a pre-expanded flowable foam engineered for large void fills and soil stabilization applications. FillFoam™ is hydro-insensitive, highly versatile, and is an excellent engineered material for soil repairs and improvements. For this stage, a total of 2,180 lbs of FillFoam™ material was installed at a density of 8 lbs/ft3 in order to sufficiently fill the voids underneath the edge of the home’s foundation and underneath the 110 linear feet of connecting sidewalk.

Conclusion:

The two stage process of soil stabilization and void filling was completed in a total of 50 hours, roughly 5 full days of work. The customer was extremely pleased with the success of the project, saving him time and thousands of dollars all while completing the operations with minimal invasiveness to the surrounding environment.

Galveston seawall repair project

August 20 2021

Seawall Repair: Top Signs of Water Damage

Parker Chilcoat Seawall Repair

The coastal erosion problem is not new. Coastal erosion has been a problem for centuries, and there are many different reasons why it happens. For instance, the sea level can change because of climate change or shifts in global tectonic plates.

But even if we can’t see any obvious cause, you should still be concerned about your property. Water erosion can cause damage to your home and make you feel unsafe. However, this isn’t the only reason why you should pay attention to any erosion problems. Many people have set up seawalls to protect their property from water erosion.

People who have seawalls protecting their coastal properties need to make sure to watch out for damage and considering getting their seawall repaired. Depending on the circumstances, a seawall that requires repair can be very dangerous for anyone living or working on the property.

What are the three types of seawalls?

Vertical Seawalls

These walls are one of the most common ways to fight high-powered waves. Vertical seawalls are similar to fences and are constructed out of either concrete or steel. These walls are easy to design, but they wear down quickly. Usually, you’ll find vertical seawalls where there are calm waters, so they don’t have to be repaired as often.

Curved Seawalls

These seawalls aren’t as tall as vertical seawalls are, but they offer a smooth slope that’s hard for waves to climb over. You may have seen curved seawalls before as steps leading into the water. Curved seawalls reduce turbulence in the water and redirect waves. These seawalls protect against strong waves during extreme weather events like hurricanes.

Mound Seawalls

A mound seawall is a sloped hill with rock and concrete armor. It slows down the waves before they hit the shore but can wear away faster if exposed to too much velocity. These are not for high-energy shores or ones that need protection from extreme weather. Mound seawalls wear away faster than vertical and curved seawalls.

How many years does a seawall last?

One of the biggest concerns people have about a seawall is how long it will last. Although you can’t predict exactly how much time a seawall has, some basic guidelines can help you estimate the lifespan of your seawall.

Luckily, most maintained concrete seawalls should last for 30-50 years, but this information isn’t necessarily true for other constructions. The wear and tear on your wall will depend on several factors, including:

A seawalls thickness – A thicker wall will protect against the ocean’s waves better than one with thin armor (less than 1-inch thick). However, thicker walls also weigh more and may not be able to hold up over time if they aren’t constructed properly.

The type of material used – Seawalls can be made from steel, timber, vinyl, and aluminum. Steel and aluminum are the most durable, but they also cost more than lumber. Wood is affordable, but it wears down quickly when facing rough waves. Vinyl and timber have relatively low costs, but they wear out after a few years of use.

Exposure to waves – Waves that continually hit a wall over time can adversely affect its durability. For example, if one side of the seawall is exposed more than others, it starts developing weak spots that can cause the entire structure to crumble after years of abuse from heavy waves pounding against it.

How to tell if you need your seawall repaired?

After your seawall has been exposed to natural elements for a long period of time, signs of wear and tear are bound to appear. If you notice your wall starting to crack or large chunks of the wall falling away, this means that it is time for repair. Visible rust can also be another sign, as well as bowing or misaligned slabs of your seawall.

Sometimes, you can’t see any cracks or signs of fractures on your wall. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean it’s not in trouble. Other things can point to seawall problems like sunken piles or loose concrete slabs. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, it should be addressed immediately to prevent any further damage from occurring.

A seawall should be viewed as a long-term investment that needs to be maintained regularly in order to last. Nevertheless, even properly maintained walls will need some occasional repairs. With this information in mind, take a closer look at your property and start inspecting how well the seawall is holding up against erosion and storm damage over time.

Professional Seawall Repair

A seawall in need of professional repair is tough to address on your own. Affordable and trusted, our specialists at CatFoam can be up close and personal with any seawall repair problem. CatFoam is proud to serve the Houston area and offer seawall repairs for anyone in need from Houston to Galveston. Our team can help waterfront properties, and commercial properties protect against soil and water erosion.

Our seawall repair experts will analyze your property and help you determine the best course of action for seawall replacement or repair. We want to keep your property safe and make sure your seawall is functioning as intended. If you see signs of seawall failure, feel free to contact us today.

professional seawall repair Galveston Texas