A Keys seawall sits in salt water on one side and wet fill on the other. A simple record of photos, drains and dates catches trouble early and helps you meet local inspection rules.
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.
Key Colony Beach’s seawall manual describes the common wall in that city. Many owners elsewhere will recognize the parts. KCB Seawall Owner’s Manual
| Part | What it is | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
Panels | 6-inch reinforced concrete, 5 to 8 feet wide and 10 to 16 feet long | Cracks at the waterline, open joints |
Cap | Concrete beam along the top | Rust stains, flaking concrete, tilt toward the water |
Tie-backs | Steel rods to a deadman about 10 to 12 feet back | A leaning cap, soil sinking behind the wall |
Weep holes and French drains | Let trapped water out from behind the wall | Clogged holes, soggy yard, soil washing through |
The manual lists the usual failures: joint separation and sinkholes, tie-back rod failure, toe and berm failure, and waterline cracking. KCB Seawall Owner’s Manual
It also says most local walls were designed for a 30-year life, and many have passed it. KCB Seawall Owner’s Manual Drains matter because drainage and filtration relieve water pressure while holding soil in place. coastal engineering guidance
Rust stains or flaking on the cap can mean the steel inside is corroding. Photograph it with a date, and ask a professional to look before it spreads.
Key Colony Beach began citywide marine structure inspections with a December 11, 2025 letter. KCB inspection letter, Dec. 2025 In March 2026 a commissioner reported them complete. Some walls needed routine care and others immediate attention, and an annual schedule was recommended. KCB Commission minutes, Mar. 19, 2026
Ordinance 2026-509 then set deadlines that start with a written notice for an unsafe or deteriorated wall. KCB Ordinance 2026-509
Owners there must keep seawalls, docks and lifts safe and sturdy. If they do not, the city may make the fix and record the cost as a lien. KCB Code Sec. 5-62
Before anyone injects foam behind your wall, check the license. Key Colony Beach warns that “soil amendment” firms may be unlicensed and requires a Florida-licensed contractor registered with the city. KCB Building Department notice
No Keys government runs the state mangrove program locally. Questions go to DEP’s Marathon office at (305) 289-7070. DEP delegation list DEP Marathon branch
Trimming is not removal. In V and Coastal A zones, altering mangroves also needs DEP approval and an engineer’s flood analysis under county code. Monroe County code 122-27
Storm care starts before the storm, with re-entry. Lower Keys stickers are dark pink and Middle Keys stickers aqua, issued at Tax Collector offices. Monroe County re-entry stickers
Out-of-county owners qualify with a property bill. Stickers stop once a state of emergency is declared, so get yours early in the season.
The storm guide covers Keys storm history, and the insurance guide explains what flood policies leave out.
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 needs.
Every answer here links to the public record behind it.
