Natural coquina seawall construction makes up a large portion of the projects we do at Coquina Seawalls. In addition, we also fix and patch existing coquina seawalls that are in need of repair.
Coquinas Seawalls uses natural coquina rocks to create a barrier of shoreline protection in order to protect your shoreline from erosion. This method of stacking and arranging rocks as a seawall is commonly referred to as riprap. This system is constructed by placing varying sized rocks that naturally interlock to form a strong line of defense against crashing waves and soil erosion.
Because of it’s unique structure, using natural coquina riprap in seawall construction is very effective in preventing shoreline erosion. Instead of deflecting the water and causing it to crash onto other parts of the property, it absorbs the water’s energy. This causes the waves to calm down and settle, which helps to keep the underlying soil from washing away.
Coquina Riprap compliments your property by offering a natural appearance which is more aesthetically pleasing to the eye than other forms of protection such as vinyl or wood. It’s also easy to repair and maintain.
The first step is to reshape the bank so that the incline is within the appropriate range for safety and durability. Next, a geotextile fabric is placed along the bank to support the rocks and stones that are being used as barriers and to prevent them from slipping as well as sinking into the soil. A layer of gravel is then spread across the fabric so that the heavier rocks won’t tear the fabric. The coquina stones are then arranged so that there is minimal space between them and so the riprap has a smooth appearance that blends with the natural slope of the property. We carefully select large stones which adds to the seawall’s strength and appearance. A toe stone is also placed at the bottom of the slope and acts as a buffer to keep the above stones and materials in place. This process results in a strong and sturdy barrier that will be extremely effective in preventing erosion.
