Top 5 Signs Your Seawall Needs Urgent Repair

If you live near the water, your seawall is doing a big job—protecting your home or building from erosion, flooding, and shifting soil. But over time, even the strongest seawalls can wear down. Cracks form, panels shift, and before you know it, your property could be at risk.

That’s where seawall restoration comes in.

At Souffront Contractors, we’ve seen firsthand how small issues turn into major problems. That’s why we always tell clients: don’t wait. Catching the warning signs early can save you thousands in damage and protect your waterfront property long-term.

Here are the top five signs your seawall may need urgent repair.

1. Cracks in the Concrete

Small hairline cracks might not seem like a big deal—but they’re often the first sign that the structure is under stress. If left alone, those cracks can grow, letting in water and speeding up erosion behind the wall.

Worse, cracks can lead to full-blown structural failure if the rebar inside begins to corrode. If your seawall has multiple cracks, long diagonal splits, or broken chunks of concrete, it’s time to call in a professional.

2. Soil Loss Behind the Wall

Notice dips or sinking ground behind your seawall? That’s a red flag. Soil loss happens when water seeps through or around the wall, carrying away the ground behind it. Over time, this can create large voids or hollow spaces that lead to pavement cracks, leaning fences, or worse—collapse.

If the ground behind your seawall is soft, uneven, or visibly eroding, you’re likely dealing with hydrostatic pressure or drainage failure.

3. Leaning or Bowing Panels

Seawall panels should be straight and vertical. If they’re starting to lean, tilt forward, or bow outward, that’s a serious sign of structural instability. This usually means the wall can’t handle the pressure behind it—or that the anchors and tiebacks have failed.

Don’t ignore this one. A leaning seawall often requires urgent reinforcement, and in some cases, full or partial replacement.

4. Water Seepage or Drainage Problems

A seawall needs proper drainage to relieve pressure from behind the wall. If you see water leaking through cracks, holes, or seams in the seawall—or pooling at the base—it’s likely that the weep holes or filter system are clogged or missing.

Poor drainage can lead to pressure buildup, which weakens the seawall and accelerates deterioration. Our team often installs jet filters or new weep holes to help manage this before it becomes a structural issue.

5. Rust Stains or Exposed Rebar

Rust stains are more than just cosmetic. They’re a clue that the steel inside your seawall is corroding. If you can see exposed or rusted rebar, your wall is losing its structural strength from the inside out.

This kind of internal damage spreads quickly, especially in salty or tidal environments like South Florida. If you see rust streaks, dark spots, or open patches where the concrete has broken off, it’s time for an inspection.

Areas We Serve for Seawall Inspection and Repair

Souffront Contractors proudly offers professional seawall inspections, repairs, and restoration services throughout South Florida, including cities with a high concentration of waterfront properties and aging seawalls. We regularly serve clients in:

Broward County:

• Fort Lauderdale

• Hollywood

• Pompano Beach

• Dania Beach

• Hallandale Beach

• Deerfield Beach

• Lighthouse Point

• Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

• Wilton Manors

• Oakland Park
  

Miami-Dade County:

• Miami

• Miami Beach

• North Miami

• North Bay Village

• Key Biscayne

• Aventura

• Sunny Isles Beach

• Coral Gables

• Palmetto Bay

• Cutler Bay

If you're located in or near any of these cities and your property is near the water, we strongly recommend scheduling an inspection to assess the current condition of your seawall.

Schedule Your Seawall Inspection Today

If you’ve noticed cracks, soil loss, leaning panels, or any other signs of seawall damage, don’t delay. These issues can escalate quickly—and repairs are far more affordable when handled early.

At Souffront Contractors, our inspections are signed and sealed by licensed structural engineers. We provide a detailed report, photo documentation, and expert recommendations so you can feel confident about your next steps.

Call us today at 877-420-7220 or visit seawallinspectionpro.com to schedule your inspection. We’ll help you protect your property before the damage gets worse.

Your seawall protects your shoreline—let us help protect your seawall.