Track your wall over time, note what rain and high water do to it, and keep records that help with repairs, claims and a future sale.
Regular checks can catch changes in the top of the wall, joints, drainage and nearby ground. Keeping dated photos and reports helps a professional spot problems and plan repairs.
From safe ground, note new holes, movement or damage and keep earlier reports. Do not clear drains, excavate, drill or try structural repairs yourself. Ask a professional which tasks are appropriate for your wall.
Answer from what you already know. Stay on safe ground; do not go near the edge or into the water to check. You can choose “Not sure” for any question.
Skip this and go to the request form
An inspection can help answer the questions you were unsure about.
An on-site inspection is needed to assess the wall’s condition. These answers help you explain what you have noticed.
Prepare for a professional assessment · Discuss the next step
Tell us about the concern and we’ll help you work out the next step.
Continue to the request form. You can choose whether to include this check with your request.
The questions cover signs shown in the City of Holmes Beach seawall manual (pages 5–13): soil loss, wall movement, open joints and damaged concrete.
Choose the care you want to discuss. Use this guide to understand the options, what is included and the next steps.
Request plan details
Ask what is included, what it costs and when it can be arranged.
If the wall is moving or the ground is opening, keep people away and get prompt professional help. Those changes need attention sooner than a routine maintenance visit.
The City of Holmes Beach seawall manual gives general examples of wear, drainage and maintenance. The property’s local rules and approved design govern the work.
Tell us about your wall and the care you need. Discuss the options, schedule and price before you choose a plan.
The right schedule depends on the wall’s age, condition and exposure. Ask the person assessing it to recommend when it should be checked again.
Ask which maintenance tasks and repairs are included in the plan and which would cost extra.
Ask whether the plan includes a post-storm check. Repairs and insurance claims are separate, so check your agreement and insurance policy for the details.
Tell us if you need a written report. Ask for dated photos, the areas checked, any areas that could not be inspected and recommended next steps.
Yes. Tell us which properties need care and who owns them. Discuss the checks and access needed at each location.
Rain causes seawall trouble here too. Bay County says Hurricane Sally was more a flooding event than a hurricane event, with over 14 inches of rain. Bay County Local Mitigation Strategy Heavy rain can push water through the soil behind a seawall or bulkhead and carry fill out through gaps. The soil loss guide explains why.
After each big rain or high-water event, photograph the same spots and note:
For bay-side homes, NOAA's Panama City station on St. Andrew Bay has run since 1973. NOAA station 8729108
Plan ahead on the Gulf side. FDEP says beach construction in the St. Andrews Reach is restricted during marine turtle nesting season, May 1 through October 31. FDEP Strategic Beach Management Plan
Docks in aquatic preserves need steady care. An older dock built under earlier rules can be maintained. But if more than half of it falls into disrepair or is destroyed, the whole dock must meet current rules. Rule 18-20.004(5)(a)6, F.A.C.
Routine repair keeps an older preserve dock in place. Waiting until it is half gone can force a redesign. See docks and boat lifts.
| Field | What to write |
|---|---|
Date and location | Wall section and photo number. |
Observation | What changed, or what stayed the same. |
Weather and water | Recent rain and the station reading. |
Status | Reviewed, waiting on a specialist, or not yet inspected. |
Next step | The follow-up and who owns it. |
Keep receipts with the log. The DFS toolkit says the hurricane deductible is cumulative for the calendar year, so file a hurricane claim even when the loss is below the deductible and keep repair receipts. DFS homeowners toolkit
The seawall insurance guide explains what policies usually exclude. When a change looks structural, book a seawall assessment.
Tell us about your wall and how to reach you. Use this guide to plan the care it needs.
Tell us where your property is and what your seawall or dock needs.
Built on Bay and Gulf County permit rules, public records and storm data.
