Bulkheads

Bulkheads are a part of waterfront living. They protect your land from erosion and they give you water depth right at the shoreline, they are not a permanent structure and they eventually need repair or replacement. Today, we will explore some of the common problems bulkheads have and how they can be repaired.

Ever since we started out, it was our goal to build structures that far exceed the expectations of our clients and last a lifetime. Typical wooden bulkheads only last 15-20 years, bulkheads with vinyl sheeting, it can reach 25 years in some cases. With both vinyl and wooden sheet systems, you still have a wooden structure which is vulnerable to rot. In order to get beyond 25 years, you must eliminate the exposure of water to the wooden structure or eliminate the wood altogether. Once you protect the wood, the life of the bulkhead is dependent on the life span of the tie-back rod. Therein lies the problems. Technology is finally at a point where we can address all of these points of failure and push the life span of a bulkhead beyond the 20-25 year point.

Bulkhead repair is one of the most difficult projects to call on. In these cases, we are thrown into the same position as an auto mechanic, or your dentist. No one wants to call their dentist or mechanic - people are just not happy about the situation and why they have to do it. But it happens often and this is the prime time of year for these calls.