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Soil erosion can pose a serious threat to waterfront properties. Although some of these properties may come equipped with sturdy seawalls, responsibility for the repair, replacement, and maintenance of these things usually falls on the homeowner.
It is usually built from concrete, stone, plastic membranes, or other strong materials. For do-it-yourself seawalls, using wooden planks set of metal or iron poles is the best possible choice. People can start by making a series of arrangements and measurements, move to setting the poles, installing the lumber, and finishing the job. Building this structure is a massive task, and it will need some heavy machinery.
To find out more about these structures, click here for information.
Seawall arrangements
Survey the area
Property owners can walk along the area where they are planning to build the structure; carrying a steel measuring tape, pen, and notebook is a good start. Next, they can use the steel measuring tape to track the length and width they need to achieve.
Next, homeowners can use the pen and pad to sketch the rough outline of the shore, taking special attention to any changes in sharp curves or elevation. Lastly, they can use spray paint to mark off eight feet or 2.32 meter intervals where they will place their metal or iron poles.
Track high water marks
Once the property owner knows the exact location of their structure, they can use existing posts, rocks, and other landmarks to track the height of the seawater. They need to measure high water marks for at least a month during the highest points of high tides. This information will determine how high the structure needs to be. Usually, the wall will be two feet or 60.96 centimeters above the ground.
How sea level is measured? Check out https://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,,-2289,00.html to find out more.
Research rules and regulations of the area
Depending on what body of water the structure will be built on and the state, county, or country homeowners fund themselves in, there is a good chance that there are rules and regulations governing what they can build. In some instances, they may need to get permits or have the place inspected before they can start construction. So, contact the local city, county, or town offices to find out the rules and regulations for building this kind of structure in the area. Then, if needed, get the proper paperwork or permits.
Gather the right supplies
To build this structure, people are going to need some supplies and some heavy equipment or machinery. The proper amounts they need will differ depending on the length of the seawall. All tools and supplies can be bought at home improvement stores. Look for rental locations near the construction site when it comes to heavy machinery and equipment. Individuals will need:
- Metal pipes, four feet or 1.21 meters long, three inches or 7.62 centimeters in diameter, one every eight feet or 2.34 meters
- Two by twelve inches or 5.08 x 2.54 centimeters treated lumbers, ten feet or 3.04 meters long, two boards between each set of poles
- Threaded metal rebar, four to ten inches or 24.4 centimeters piece per pipe
- Quick-dry cement
- Galvanized washers and nuts, eight sets per pipe
- Circular saw
- Jackhammer
- Drill
Setting the poles
Prepare the pipes
To start the construction, property owners need to weld four pieces of U-shaped iron rebar onto each of their pipes. They can weld these pieces themselves or ask a professional like Salt of the Earth to do the job.
- The first piece of the iron rebar should be four inches or 10.16 centimeters from the tip of the metal pipe
- The second iron rebar should be four inches or 10.16 centimeters below that
- The third one should be eight inches or 20.32 centimeters below
- The fourth one should be four inches or 10.16 centimeters below
Dig holes
Digging holes might be the hardest part depending on the materials property owners will be digging into. Each hole should be at least two feet deep and ten inches wide. They can use a jackhammer to help them dig these homes for metal posts. If they do not have much experience using this kind of heavy machinery, it is best to ask the help of someone that knows how to operate it to help them.
Set poles
Homeowners need to position each of their poles into the holes. Using a good level, people need to ensure that their posts are even and uniform. Then, if needed, they can use the jackhammer to adjust the depth of these holes.
Want to know more about how to use jackhammers safely? Click this site for details.
Pour quick-dry cement
Once these poles are positioned, pour enough concrete to fill these holes completely. Allow at least twenty-four hours (for quick-dry cement) for the concrete to cure and set. If holes are filled with water, people should use sub-pumps buckets to remove the water before adding the cement.
Drill holes for the iron rebar
Now, people will line up the board with the poles and mark the right locations where they will drill holes for the iron rebar to pass through. These boards will have two holes drilled on each side. Once again, make sure to measure every board to each rebar before drilling specifically.
Install wooden boards
Fit the wooden boards into the metal poles by sliding the rebar into the hole. It is not an easy task and will need at least two people to do it. If you do not know how to do it, hire a professional or company to do it. Install the lumber so that it is flush with the metal post.
Twist a washer and nut onto the rebar to properly secure it. Individuals may need to reposition or bend it to fit through the holes in the lumber. It can be accomplished by sliding a two-foot piece of conduit on each rebar and using it to bend the iron to fit. In the end, they may want to remove the excess iron using a reciprocating saw or similar devices.
What is a reciprocating saw? Check https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-use-a-reciprocating-saw-5208468 for info.
Fill in the sides
Fill in the wall side using large gravel and rocks to allow enough drainage. Then, cover it with sand, and finish it with layers of topsoil.
Maintenance
It is an excellent idea to provide yearly maintenance to the existing structure. Look for cracked, rotten, or broken wooden boards. Remove the nuts and boards, and replace them with new ones. The posts should remain solid and intact for five or more years. If they become pretty loose, they should be replaced as well.
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