How to Build a Wood Seawall
A seawall is a barrier that is constructed to prevent water from eroding the front of property that sits on a body of water, such as a lake. Typically, a seawall is installed during fall or winter as some lakes that are water-controlled have their water level lowered. Seawalls are can be constructed of materials such as stone or concrete. However, you can also build a seawall using water-resistant wood boards. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Stakes
- String
- Post hole digger
- Metal posts with threaded studs
- Concrete
- Wheelbarrow
- Shovel
- 2-by-12 cedar boards
- Pencil
- Power drill
- Washers
- Nuts
- Socket wrench
- Rocks
- Gravel
- Topsoil
Instructions
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1
Determine where you want to build the seawall along the edge of the water. Place stakes in the ground where the seawall will be located. Tie a string onto each stake to indicate the position of the seawall.
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2
Dig a hole for the metal posts with the post hole digger to a depth of 24 to 36 inches. Repeat this step to dig a hole every 5 to 6 feet along the length of the wall.
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3
Insert a metal post with threaded studs into each hole. Mix concrete in wheelbarrow by following the instructions on the package. Fill the hole with the concrete using a shovel. Allow 24 to 48 hours for the concrete to dry.
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4
Place a level on top of each post to ensure that each post is sitting level to the ground.
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5
Measure each 2-by-12 board and make a mark where the mounting holes need to be located using the pencil. Drill mounting holes into the wood with the power drill.
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6
Place the 2-by-12 boards over the threaded studs on the metal posts. Place a washer over the threaded stud and then hand tighten a nut. Tighten the nut on the stud with the socket wrench. Repeat this step to install the remaining wood boards for the seawall.
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7
Place a layer of rocks or gravel at the bottom front of the wall to prevent erosion. Add gravel or rock as a back fill behind the seawall and then add topsoil.
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Tips & Warnings
If the edge of the lake is tough dirt or gravel, you can dig a hole using a jackhammer.
