Florida Seawall Health Check
A guided, step-by-step look at the warning signs contractors check first. Get a plain-language summary, a suggested next step and a printable PDF.
13 quick questions. About three minutes.
- Answer from what you can see. “Not sure” is always an option.
- Get a plain-language summary of what your answers can indicate and a suggested next step.
- Download a PDF summary, and optionally send it with photos for contractor follow-up.
Educational self-assessment only. It does not replace an in-person inspection by a qualified professional.
How the Health Check works
The questions follow the same order a contractor uses on a first visit: where the wall is, what it is made of, how old it is, and then the visible signs that most often point to deeper problems in Florida walls — leaning, soil loss, sinkholes, separated joints, cap damage, anchor concerns and storm effects.
Your summary groups what you reported and explains, in general terms, what each sign can indicate and what a professional would check. The suggested next step is based only on your answers. It is deliberately cautious: it is not a structural rating and cannot tell you a wall is safe.
For background, browse the Seawall Failure Library or the Florida Bulkhead Guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Seawall Health Check an inspection?
No. It is an educational self-assessment based on what you can see. It does not rate structural safety. Only a qualified professional who examines the wall in person can evaluate its condition.
Who sees my answers?
Nobody, unless you choose to send them. Your answers and photos stay in your browser until you submit the follow-up form. If you do, they go to Barefoot Marine Construction for Northeast Florida properties, or are reviewed by Florida Bulk Head for a participating contractor elsewhere, as described in our lead-sharing disclosure.
What photos are most useful?
One wide photo of the whole wall from the water side or a corner, plus close-ups of anything that concerns you: cracks, gaps between panels, rust stains, holes or sinking areas behind the wall. Photos taken at low tide show the most.
What should I do if the wall moved suddenly or a hole opened up?
Keep people, pets, vehicles and heavy equipment away from the area and contact a licensed marine contractor promptly. Do not dig behind or under the wall.