Frequently asked questions
Is a seawall the same as a bulkhead?
Day to day in Florida, the words are used interchangeably and we answer to both. Technically, a seawall is designed primarily to resist wave energy on exposed water and a bulkhead primarily to retain soil on sheltered water. The full comparison is here.
My yard is sinking but the wall looks perfect. How?
Because the wall being sound and the wall leaking are different things. Water moving through joints on the tide carries fine soil out with it, and a structurally perfect wall can do this for years. The depression in your lawn is the top of a void that is bigger below. Fix is sealing the path then rebuilding the ground, in that order.
What is toe scour and why does everyone keep mentioning it?
A vertical wall reflects wave energy down into the water at its base. That energy excavates the material the wall is embedded in, so the wall progressively undermines its own foundation. It is the failure mode most specific to seawalls, it is invisible from the top, and toe protection exists to prevent it.
Do I need a permit?
Usually, and often from more than one agency — potentially FDEP, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the St. Johns River Water Management District and your county or city building department. What applies depends on the site and scope, and requirements change, so confirm current requirements with the reviewing agency. We handle permitting on the projects we build.
How long does a seawall project take?
Permit review is normally the longest and least predictable part and is outside any contractor's control. Construction time depends on length, exposure, access and material. We give you a schedule with the estimate that separates the two.
Can I repair just one section of my seawall?
Yes, and sectional repair is common. The detail that matters is the joint between the repaired section and the rest — a junction between structures of different ages and stiffnesses is a place soil reliably finds a way out, so it gets detailed deliberately.
My neighbour's wall is failing and mine is fine. Does that affect me?
It can. Water will exploit the weakest point along a shoreline, and a failing wall next door can scour at the junction and start taking soil from behind yours. The joint between two walls is a vulnerable spot at the best of times. It is worth a conversation with your neighbour and worth having both looked at together.
What should I do immediately after a hurricane?
Stay off the wall and off the ground behind it, photograph everything with dates before any cleanup, note anything that has moved, and get it assessed before accepting a price from anyone. The storm damage page covers it in full.
Do you work with insurance claims?
We document conditions thoroughly and provide clear written scopes and estimates, which is generally what carriers ask for. Coverage decisions are between you and your carrier — we do not make representations about what will or will not be covered.
Can you inspect a seawall before I buy the property?
Yes, and it is a sensible thing to do. Seawall condition affects waterfront transactions and financing, and the structural elements that matter are not assessable from a walk along the cap. Inspections are described here.
Do you do commercial and municipal seawalls?
Yes — residential, commercial, municipal and military clients across Northeast Florida. Our commercial and municipal work is here.
Last reviewed October 2026 by Barefoot Marine Construction. Permit requirements and agency rules change — confirm current requirements with the reviewing agency before you plan work.