How to Protect Your Dock & Seawall During Hurricane Season

Living on the coast offers stunning views and direct water access, but it also comes with the responsibility of protecting your waterfront structures during hurricane season. Storm surges, high winds, and heavy rainfall can cause severe damage to docks and seawalls, leading to costly repairs or total replacements.

Taking proactive measures before a storm hits can make all the difference in preventing structural failures, minimizing property damage, and ensuring safety. Below are key steps to help safeguard your dock and seawall from hurricane-related destruction.

Essential Steps to Hurricane-Proof Your Dock & Seawall

1. Secure or Remove Loose Items

Before a storm, any loose items on or near your dock should be secured or removed to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles.

✅ Remove outdoor furniture, fishing gear, kayaks, paddleboards, and any other portable equipment.

✅ Secure boat lifts, gangways, and ladders using proper tie-downs or by relocating them to a safer area.

✅ Store loose dock accessories (such as cleats, bumpers, and mooring lines) in a secure, enclosed space.

Why It Matters:

High winds can turn unsecured items into flying debris, which can damage your dock, surrounding properties, or even cause injuries.

2. Reinforce Dock Connections

A dock is only as strong as its connections and structural integrity. Ensuring all parts are securely fastened will reduce the risk of major damage during a hurricane.

✅ Inspect all deck boards, fasteners, and brackets for rust or looseness.

✅ Reinforce connections between pilings and dock platforms to prevent movement.

✅ Consider installing hurricane-rated dock fasteners designed to withstand extreme conditions.

Why It Matters:

Strong winds and surging waters can pull apart weak dock connections, leading to significant damage or even total detachment.

3. Check Your Seawall for Weaknesses

Your seawall serves as the first line of defense against storm surges and coastal erosion. A weakened seawall increases the risk of flooding and land loss.

✅ Inspect for cracks, leaks, or soil erosion behind the seawall.

✅ Check for water seepage, which can indicate drainage failure or structural weakness.

✅ Reinforce the seawall with additional support, such as riprap or new drainage systems, if necessary.

Why It Matters:

A compromised seawall can collapse under the pressure of storm surges, putting your property at risk of erosion and flooding.

4. Use Hurricane Straps & Anchors

Securing your dock and floating structures with hurricane-rated straps and anchors can prevent them from breaking loose.

✅ Use tie-downs or chains to anchor floating docks to pilings or other stable structures.

✅ Install storm-rated boat lifts and anchors to prevent boats from being swept away.

✅ If possible, remove floating docks and store them in a secure location before the storm.

Why It Matters:

Floating docks and boats can detach in extreme weather, causing damage to nearby structures or even drifting away entirely.

5. Monitor Water Levels & Drainage

Excess water buildup can put pressure on your seawall and dock foundation, leading to failures. Ensuring proper drainage is crucial before a storm.

✅ Check and clear drainage weep holes in your seawall to prevent water pressure buildup.

✅ Ensure stormwater runoff systems are functioning properly to divert excess water.

✅ If necessary, reinforce the base of your seawall with erosion-control measures like geotextile fabric or additional riprap.

Why It Matters:

Poor drainage can cause seawall collapses, sinkholes, and foundation damage, making repairs even more costly after the storm.

How Atlantic Harbor Marine Construction Can Help

Proper storm preparation can mean the difference between minor repairs and catastrophic damage. At Atlantic Harbor Marine Construction, we specialize in:

✅ Pre-storm inspections & reinforcements for docks and seawalls.

✅ Hurricane-resistant dock designs with stronger pilings and secure fasteners.

✅ Seawall strengthening and erosion control solutions to prevent storm surge damage.

✅ Custom hurricane-rated anchoring systems for boats and floating docks.

✅ Post-storm assessments & repairs to restore your waterfront structures.

With decades of marine construction experience, we help property owners in South Florida secure their investments against hurricane damage.

Preparing your dock and seawall before hurricane season is essential to minimizing damage, protecting your property, and ensuring long-term durability. By securing loose items, reinforcing dock connections, inspecting seawalls, using proper anchoring systems, and ensuring adequate drainage, you can significantly reduce storm-related risks.

📢 Need help protecting your dock and seawall before hurricane season? Contact Atlantic Harbor Marine Construction today!

📞 Call us at (954) 564-3715🌐 Visit our website: www.AtlanticHarborMC.com

Stay prepared, stay safe, and protect your waterfront investment!