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If you live along the shoreline, you’ve likely seen seawalls. They usually look like solid retaining walls in Anderson, SC made of concrete, steel, vinyl, or even large boulders, standing between the land and the water. Some have a smooth, vertical surface, while others are sloped or stepped to help absorb the energy of crashing waves. But what is a seawall? What does it do? How does it work? Well, it turns out it’s an important structure that protects coastal properties and landscapes from the damaging effects of wave action, erosion, and rising tides.

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Garrett Precast is a professional precast company that manufactures a wide range of products, including seawalls, concrete parking stops, lift stations, septic tanks, retaining walls, and many more. In today’s blog post, we’ll discuss seawalls in greater detail to help you understand how they work and their functions. If you’re looking for a trusted company providing high-quality seawalls, get in touch with the team at Garrett Precast.

Understanding Seawalls

At its core, a seawall is a coastal defense structure designed to shield land and property from the powerful forces of the sea. Seawalls are most commonly built along beaches, bays, harbors, and waterfronts where tides, waves, and storms can cause erosion or wash away soil and infrastructure. These walls act as a physical barrier, absorbing and reflecting wave energy that would otherwise hit the shoreline directly.

Seawalls come in different shapes and materials, depending on the needs of the area they’re protecting. Some are made from concrete or steel, while others use large rocks, boulders, or vinyl sheets. The design may be vertical, sloped, or curved. Vertical seawalls are space-efficient but can reflect wave energy back into the sea, potentially increasing erosion in front of the wall. Sloped or curved seawalls, on the other hand, help absorb more energy and reduce turbulence.

How Do Seawalls Work?

Seawalls work by interrupting the natural movement of water and redirecting or absorbing wave energy. When waves crash against a seawall, the force of the water is either deflected back or broken up before it can reach the shore. This keeps the soil, sand, or property behind the wall from eroding or being flooded.

In addition to wave protection, seawalls help stabilize the shoreline. Over time, constant wave action can wear away beaches, foundations, and roads near the water’s edge. By placing a seawall in front of these vulnerable areas, coastal communities can preserve the land and prevent costly property damage.

Benefits of Seawalls

The primary benefit of a seawall is protection. For homes, businesses, and public infrastructure located near water, a seawall can mean the difference between safety and severe flood damage. They’re especially useful in regions prone to hurricanes or strong tidal surges.

Seawalls also contribute to long-term shoreline management. By controlling erosion, they help maintain the shape and usability of beaches, harbors, and waterfront paths. In some areas, seawalls are essential for keeping roads and walkways from collapsing into the water.

Considerations and Maintenance

While seawalls are effective, they are not maintenance-free. Over time, the constant pounding of waves and exposure to saltwater can wear them down. Cracks, holes, or leaning sections may develop, requiring timely repairs to ensure continued protection.

Also, it’s important to recognize that seawalls can impact the natural flow of sediment along the coast. In some cases, this may lead to increased erosion in adjacent areas. That’s why proper planning, engineering, and sometimes additional structures like groins or revetments are used in tandem with seawalls.

Purchase High-Quality Precast Concrete Products From Garrett Precast

Garrett Precast is the company you can trust when you’re in need of high-quality seawalls and retaining walls. We have built an outstanding reputation for supplying strong and durable precast concrete products. Our commitment to offering quality products is embedded in every product we manufacture. We continuously innovate to ensure our products meet and even exceed our customers’ needs.

“Testimonials”

What Our Clients Say!

Richard Grove

Very friendly and quick delivery. The person who helped me to schedule the retaining wall delivery was very kind and professional. He was able to schedule a delivery for the date we needed. Their delivery guy delivered the retaining walls on time and left no mess behind after placing them by our house. Their pricing is reasonable too. Thanks for everything Garrett Precast.

(Greer, SC )

Chris Holmes

So there are numerous pre-cast companies out there. I have tried a few over the years before knowing Garrett Precast. So let me save you a lot of time, frustration, and confusion. Garrett Precast and their staff are professional, reasonably priced, and deliver excellent products. Used them multiple times for our retaining wall project needs. I strongly recommend them if you need quality retaining walls. You will not be disappointed.

(Travelers Rest, SC )

Clayton Brown

Everyone was very cordial and respectful. We recently completed a large retaining wall at our house and the job turned out terrific. Garrett Precast was able to get what we needed and deliver the products on time when our landscaper needed to install the retaining walls. They were very responsive and professional and their pricing was fair. We couldn’t be more pleased with how the retaining wall turned out.

(Greenwood, SC )

Roger Thomson

Garrett Precast team is very professional, punctual, and very knowledgeable on septic tank concrete and retaining walls. We purchased a concrete septic tank for our new home and the products we needed for the retaining walls made by our landscaper. We were very pleased quality of both the septic tank and the retaining walls. Will not hesitate to use them again. Hard to find professionals of this caliber.

(Greenville, SC )