Problem:
Seawalls stand guard between sea and land, forming a barrier that protects coastlines from the harsh forces of water. When seawalls begin to fail, the results can be costly for waterfront property owners. In Briny Breezes, a 4,000 ft long seawall was experiencing widespread deterioration, with erosion occurring in more than 100 locations along the structure. Previous repair attempts had been made to patch horizontal cracks and vertical seams using hydraulic cement, but those efforts did not resolve the underlying issues. SlabFix, LLC was called in to restore the seawall using the NCFI-120 single component polyurethane.
Solution:
SlabFix, LLC performed a full evaluation of the seawall and developed a plan to seal and stabilize the entire structure. Using NCFI-120 (formerly known as the Terralok 24-120), the team injected the polyurethane along the length of the seawall to address erosion pathways, cracks, and failed seams.
Single component polyurethane follows the path of least resistance, allowing it to permeate through the soil, voids and channels where soil had been lost. Once the material came into contact with moisture, it reacted and expanded, helping to seal the seawall and densify surrounding soils. In addition to the injections, 2.5" jet filters were installed as part of the rehabilitation effort. The repair process was repeated across the entire 4,000 ft seawall, using nearly 3,000 gallons of material over the course of approximately one month.
Results:
The polyurethane injection solution successfully sealed the pathways that had allowed water to migrate through and behind the seawall, cutting off active infiltration and stopping ongoing soil loss. By following existing voids and washout channels, the NCFI-120 was able to permeate the affected areas and create a continuous barrier between the water and the retained soils.
With water intrusion addressed, the soils behind the seawall were stabilized, reducing the risk of further erosion and loss of ground support along the waterfront properties. This restored the seawall’s ability to function as an effective protective structure.
The completed installation provided a non-invasive solution that reinforced the existing seawall without the need for excavation or structural replacement. As a result, SlabFix, LLC helped preserve the integrity of the shoreline while protecting the adjacent properties from continued damage.
