--- title: How to Know if it’s Time to Replace Your Steel Seawall description: Failure of your seawall can be disastrous and damage your property. Follow these 4 tips for when to know that it is time to replace your steel seawall. image: https://blog.duncanseawall.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/unspecified.jpg --- [![duncanseawall-logo-light](https://blog.duncanseawall.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DUN%20Logos/duncanseawall-logo-light.png?width=191&height=53&name=duncanseawall-logo-light.png "duncanseawall-logo-light")](https://www.duncanseawall.com) [![duncanseawall-logo-colored](https://blog.duncanseawall.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DUN%20Logos/duncanseawall-logo-colored.png?width=191&height=53&name=duncanseawall-logo-colored.png "duncanseawall-logo-colored")](https://www.duncanseawall.com) [![Contact Us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/418824/5391dabf-9166-4997-a2d6-f2d45cd0a659.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/418824/5391dabf-9166-4997-a2d6-f2d45cd0a659) Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift Blog [![unspecified.jpg](https://blog.duncanseawall.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/unspecified.jpg) ](https://blog.duncanseawall.com/how-to-know-if-its-time-to-replace-your-steel-seawall) # How to Know if it’s Time to Replace Your Steel Seawall May 17, 2017 9:15:00 AM by [Duncan Seawall](https://blog.duncanseawall.com/author/duncan-seawall) 0 Comments - - - The tide, salt corrosion, and overwatered lawns can all cause serious damage to a seawall. Unfortunately, many people often ignore or overlook their [seawalls](https://www.duncanseawall.com/seawalls). This can be disastrous as failure can result in the structures behind them being damaged. To keep this from happening, be on the lookout for indications that you need a new seawall. Signs that it's time to replace your steel seawall include: ***Related Blog: [4 Reasons Seawalls Fail and How to Prevent it](https://blog.duncanseawall.com/4-reasons-seawalls-fail-and-how-to-prevent-it) *** ### A Bowing or Leaning Seawall Your seawall is supposed to protect your waterfront property from erosion. Over time, a steel seawall will start to corrode. If your seawall starts to bow or lean, it may move, which will allow water to get behind it. The water will cause erosion behind your seawall. ### Cracks in the Seawall Despite steel's durability, cracks can occur in steel seawalls. Cracks may occur in seawalls that are bowing or leaning. These cracks are another avenue for water to get behind the seawall and erode soil. ### Sinkholes If the area near your [seawall](https://www.duncanseawall.com/seawall-construction) is landscaped, the erosion that arises because of a failing seawall can be quite easy to identify. Small sinkholes are common symptoms of erosion. While overgrown grass may hide a sinkhole, it will be easy to spot them if you cut your lawn regularly. ### Settling Soil The same voids that create sinkholes can also cause the soil around foundations to settle. Settling soil around structures near the wall is another common sign that your seawall needs to be replaced. ### Anchor Failure Like bowing or leaning, outward movement and misalignment of your seawall can result in its failure. One of the main causes of this type of failure is corrosion of the anchor rods. The anchor rods and fasteners will corrode when exposed to seawater for extended periods. If a wall that has been subjected to this corrosion is exposed to excess loading from behind, it can fail. Your steel seawall's integrity is what stands between you and property damage. And that’s why you should invest in a seawall that is constructed to last. Our team at [Duncan Seawall](https://www.duncanseawall.com/) can help you find the best option for your property.   [![Complete Guide to Seawalls](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/418824/3c7fc1b3-aef3-4e86-8d2d-b456e6f30927.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/418824/3c7fc1b3-aef3-4e86-8d2d-b456e6f30927) [seawalls](https://blog.duncanseawall.com/topic/seawalls) [boat maintenance](https://blog.duncanseawall.com/topic/boat-maintenance) ### Subscribe to our blog ### Recent Posts ![feature image](https://blog.duncanseawall.com/hubfs/social-suggested-images/hurricaneseason11916.jpg) [ How to Prepare Your Boat in Case of a Hurricane in Sarasota, Florida ](https://blog.duncanseawall.com/how-to-prepare-your-boat-in-case-of-a-hurricane-in-sarasota-florida) Jul 6, 2026 9:00:00 AM ![feature image](https://blog.duncanseawall.com/hubfs/springline101315.jpg) [ What is a Spring Line and How do I Use One? ](https://blog.duncanseawall.com/what-is-a-spring-line-and-how-do-i-use-one) Jun 22, 2026 9:00:00 AM ![feature image](https://blog.duncanseawall.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/docks20.png) [ Why Boardwalks Are Important for Waterfront Properties and Marine Construction ](https://blog.duncanseawall.com/why-boardwalks-are-important-for-waterfront-properties-and-marine-construction) Jun 15, 2026 9:30:00 AM ### Download Our Product Catalog [![ProductCatalog](https://blog.duncanseawall.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Emails/ProductCatalog.png?noresize&width=487&name=ProductCatalog.png)](https://www.duncanseawall.com/product-catalog)[Download](https://www.duncanseawall.com/product-catalog) ### Download Our Complete Guide to Seawalls [![DuncanSeawallGuideFan](https://blog.duncanseawall.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DuncanSeawallGuideFan.png?width=700&name=DuncanSeawallGuideFan.png)](https://www.duncanseawall.com/seawall-guide) [Download](https://www.duncanseawall.com/seawall-guide) ![Logo-footer-DuncanWhite](https://blog.duncanseawall.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ResizedDuncanseawall/Logo-footer-DuncanWhite.png?width=130&name=Logo-footer-DuncanWhite.png "Logo-footer-DuncanWhite") Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift is Southwest Florida’s largest full-service marine contractor, offering seawall construction, dock building, boat lift installation, and marine construction services. 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