Property: Single‑family waterfront residence with a vinyl panel seawall and concrete cap. The wall serves as the primary line of defense against the Banana River Lagoon’s tidal action, wind‑driven waves, and seasonal storm surges common to Florida’s Space Coast.

Observed Conditions (Pre‑Work):

– Cracks along the seawall cap, admitting water behind the wall during tides and storms.
– Active water seepage at the back of the wall with soil migration evidenced by depressions/soft spots in the yard.
– Large voids behind the wall panels, indicating chronic under‑backfill erosion and loss of confinement.

Owner Objectives:

1. Stop water from getting behind the wall and carrying soil out.
   2. Stabilize voids to re‑support soils and hardscape near the cap.
   3. Add long‑term pressure relief so the wall can shed water safely without losing soil.
   4. Minimize demolition and disruption to the waterfront.

Seawalls are unique: they must hold back both water and soil, and failures rarely start where you can easily see them. This project presented three specific challenges:

1. Significant voiding and advanced erosion. Typical seawall injection scopes finish in a day or two; here, the degree of soil loss demanded careful staging over an entire week to methodically close cavities and avoid hydraulic shortcuts.
2. Crack‑driven infiltration at the cap. Open cracks along the cap served as direct leak paths. Unless sealed and pressure‑managed, new injections can be undermined by recurring inflow/outflow cycles.
3. Hydrostatic pressure management. Tidal and storm events build back‑pressure behind the wall. A lasting fix requires both sealing and venting—otherwise water seeks the next weakness.

Helicon implemented a three‑part program tailored to seawalls:

1) One‑Part Polyurethane Chemical Grout Injections

We used a seawall‑specific, one‑component polyurethane that reacts with moisture to expand and form a watertight, soil‑binding matrix. This chemistry excels at cutting off leaks, chasing wet pathways, and knitting granular soils back together without adding significant mass.

Injection Strategy:

– 19 mapped injection points, sequenced along the wall length and adjusted to target the largest voids.
– Low‑to‑moderate staged volumes, advancing from the deepest cavities upward to re‑couple the backfill to the wall.
– Cap‑adjacent injections to intercept paths originating at cracks and joints along the cap.

Production: ~115 gallons of one‑part polyurethane installed over the work week, with point‑by‑point logging of volumes.

2) Crack Sealing at the Seawall Cap (Seawall Repair)

We sealed cap cracks and joints that had been serving as recurring leak paths. By closing those openings, we reduced short‑circuit flows and protected the new soil‑grout matrix from fresh erosion.

3) Hydrostatic Pressure Relief via JET Filters

To prevent pressure buildup (a common driver of wall distress), we installed 11 JET Filters along the wall. These engineered weep drains allow water to pass while retaining soil, relieving hydrostatic pressure safely so the wall and backfill are not forced apart. When paired with proper sealing and soil stabilization, filters reduce the risk of future cap cracking or panel deflection.

Execution Highlights (Built for Waterfronts)

1. Water‑aware staging. Work windows were scheduled around tide cycles when feasible, reducing inflow during injections and improving material efficiency.
2. Containment & housekeeping. Shoreline protection and spill‑containment measures were in place to protect the waterbody while working close to the edge.
3. Targeted lifts, not flooding. Rather than over‑pressurizing any single port, our crew used multiple small lifts across several points to close voids gradually and avoid creating new pathways.
4. Quality documentation. Field logs captured injection locations, volumes, and filter placements, supporting future maintenance and resale documentation.

Results & Benefits

• Leak paths sealed. The combination of cap crack sealing and moisture‑reactive grout shut down active seepage behind the wall.
• Void closure & soil re‑support. Approximately 115 gallons of grout re‑coupled the backfill, restoring confinement and bearing near the wall panels and cap.
• Hydrostatic balance restored. 11 JET Filters now provide controlled drainage, preventing pressure spikes that can re‑open cracks or displace soils.
• Yard usability & asset protection. With soils stabilized, the owner regained safe, level ground near the wall and reduced risk to docks, patios, and landscaping.
• Cost‑effective preservation. Compared with partial wall replacement, this non‑demolition approach extended the wall’s service life at significantly lower cost and disruption.

Why One‑Part Polyurethane for Seawalls?

• Moisture‑activated expansion finds and seals active leaks even in saturated soils.
• Low‑viscosity penetration allows the resin to chase fine paths along joints and behind panels before expanding to lock soils.
• Soil‑binding matrix improves confinement without adding heavy mass that could stress panels.
• Fast reaction and cure shorten work windows and limit tidal exposure during installation.
• Compatible with filters and other drainage measures for a systems‑level repair.

Homeowner FAQs (Space Coast Edition)

Will injections alone stop future movement?
They halt active erosion and restore support. For longevity, pair injections with pressure relief (JET Filters) and routine maintenance—keep cap joints sealed, clear weep pathways, and watch for new cracks after major storms.

How long does the foam last?
Once cured, the resin is inert and resistant to water. Performance depends on drainage and loading—with filters in place and cap joints maintained, the soil‑foam matrix provides durable support.

Is this safe for the waterway?
Yes—work is performed with shoreline protection, and the resin reacts rapidly in the soil mass. Crews adhere to best practices to prevent material from entering the waterbody.

Will I see the ports afterward?
Ports are small and patched at completion. The cap crack repairs blend with typical cap maintenance.

About Helicon

Helicon is Florida’s trusted partner for seawall repair, foundation repair, soil stabilization, concrete lifting, and sinkhole mitigation. We serve homeowners and HOAs across Brevard County and the Space Coast, with rapid mobilization and clean, minimally disruptive methods tailored to coastal environments.

Water pushing through your seawall cap? Soft ground or sink‑outs forming along the edge? Helicon’s seawall stabilization program seals leaks, fills voids, and relieves hydrostatic pressure—without demolition. We serve Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, Melbourne, and the Space Coast. Call 844‑HELICON to schedule a free seawall evaluation and protect your waterfront investment.