What Are You Building?

Every home is unique, but there's something exceptional about a house on the water. Unfortunately, waterfront property also needs to contend with numerous potential problems. Seawalls help mitigate these problems by protecting against both long-term erosion and sudden, acute issues caused by storms. Properties without seawalls that face open water are often ticking time bombs.

Because of these potential issues, buying a waterfront property requires more care than a typical home purchase. Evaluating and understanding the condition of your property's new seawall is essential to making an informed purchasing decision.

How Seawalls Affect Your Property

Seawalls serve a seemingly simple function: keep the water and the land separate. Of course, this role is anything but straightforward. A seawall must face immense forces in the best of times, and storms or heavy winds can put these structures to the test. A failed seawall can lead to property erosion or even catastrophic failures and collapses.

When you purchase a home that includes waterfront property, you're typically responsible for repairing and maintaining the seawall. These structures are large and can be complex, so you want to be sure that your seawall is in good condition.

How to Avoid Potential Catastrophe

If you're buying a waterfront home, it's crucial to recognize the importance of a thorough seawall inspection. Buyers sometimes waive inspections or contingencies in hot real estate markets, but this can be a severe mistake for any property with significant water exposure. A thorough inspection is the only way to be sure that these properties aren't hiding substantial problems.

It's also critical to use an experienced seawall inspection company to conduct this evaluation. You cannot necessarily recognize the signs of seawall failure by simply walking along the water's edge. Inspection companies use trained divers to inspect all parts of the wall, including those which remain submerged at all times.

Inspectors also need to be mindful of threats other than the ocean. The seawall on a property helps to resist energy from waves, but it also needs to hold back the soil on the other side. Numerous issues, such as drainage problems behind the seawall, can lead to damage and failures. A complete inspection will examine the seawall for signs of stress that may lead to a future collapse.

Ultimately, buying a home with a seawall requires more care than most other property purchases. If you're about to buy your first waterfront home, always take the time and effort to ensure a quality inspection by a qualified and experienced contractor.