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Hurricane Season Is Here: What St. Augustine Waterfront Owners Should Check on Their Docks and Seawa
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, and for those of us living along the Intracoastal, the Matanzas, and the tidal creeks of St. Johns County, the start of the season is a good time to look closely at the structures that sit between our homes and the water.
Waterfront structures take a load that inland ones never see: tidal movement, salt air, brackish water near the inlet, and the surge and wind that come with a storm. A few things are worth checking before the weather turns.
Docks. Look at the pilings where they meet the waterline and the mud line, since that is where wear and rot tend to hide. Check framing connections, fasteners, and any boards that have lifted or softened. Loose hardware and a wobbly piling are easier to address now than after a storm.
Seawalls and bulkheads. Watch for cracks, leaning or bowing sections, and soil washing out or sinking behind the wall, which often signals a failing tieback or a gap in the sheet piling. A seawall is the first line of defense for everything behind it, so small problems are worth catching early.
Boat lifts. Inspect cables, bunks, and the lift motor, and have a plan for securing or removing the vessel if a storm is forecast.
Much of this work sits in specialized territory. Building or repairing in the water means dealing with Army Corps of Engineers and Florida Department of Environmental Protection requirements, local building codes, and tidal conditions, which is why marine construction is its own trade rather than a side service for a general contractor.
For neighbors wondering who handles this kind of work locally, Maritime Docks and Decks is a family-owned marine construction company based here in St. Augustine, licensed in Florida as a Certified Building Contractor (CBC 1254215), serving St. Johns County and the surrounding waterfront.
Whatever you decide to do, take a walk down to your dock this month. A short inspection before the season gets busy can save a much larger headache later.