Waterfront Property and The Importance of Site Preparation

Owning a waterfront property is a dream come true for many of us. Imagine waking up to a beautiful view and listening to the calming sounds of the water. However, before you begin construction on your waterfront property, you need to ensure that the site is properly prepared and secure.

Here, you learn what goes into site preparation for building a waterfront property, what makes an ideal construction site, and the importance of retaining walls or seawalls. It's essential to ensure the building site is properly secure before the building even begins so the property's foundation and structure will be sound for years to come. 

Choosing the Right Site:

Choosing the right site for your waterfront property is the first and most crucial step toward successful site preparation. You should consider factors such as the foundation of the land, the water levels, the soil types and drainage, and the direction of the wind and waves. The foundation of the land is essential since it determines the stability and strength of your property.

You must avoid areas that can erode or flood easily. Before you acquire a site, conduct an environmental study to determine the site's suitability. Before commencing any work on the site, ensure that you have the required permits and licenses. This is the best way not only to make sure you have secured a great plot of land, but to make sure your site preparation and eventual build both go off without a hitch. 

Site Preparation:

Site preparation is a vital step in building a waterfront property. The site must be cleared of any debris, trees, or bushes. A cleared site provides a better view of the water before you and helps you see the ground's foundation. The site should be leveled and graded correctly to avoid water accumulation and to keep water flowing away from the property, not towards it.

If your property is sloped, you may have to build a retaining wall, seawall, or other appropriate structure to prevent soil erosion and to create more flat space for your property. Don't worry — retaining walls are common hardscaping fixtures on waterfront properties and add lots of value and dimension to the exterior space. Site preparation can be performed by the company performing your waterfront home's build, or can be outsourced to a site prep company. Your construction specialists will ensure your property's building site has been property cleared and assessed before beginning any build. 

Grading and Drainage:

Waterfront properties suffer from soil erosion, which causes the soil to wash away, leaving behind uneven and hollow surfaces. Soil erosion can affect non-waterfront properties as well, but is especially problematic for oceanfront or similar homes. This soil erosion can cause damage or weakening of the foundation, which can lead to structural failure over time. Not only is soil erosion damaging, it can be costly to repair and can cause whole properties to suffer.

To avoid this, you should grade your property and ensure proper drainage. You can use rocks, gravel, or soil to fill the hollows and level the surface. This will provide a sturdy foundation for building your property. You can also use drainage pipes to direct water away from your property, reducing the risk of soil erosion. Your site preparation and building specialist can ensure your property has ample drainage not just for the water that surrounds your property but for normal weather moisture as well. 

Retaining Walls and Seawalls:

Retaining walls and seawalls are crucial in protecting waterfront properties. Suppose you have a sloped site that requires leveling or close proximity to the water. In that case, you must consider building a retaining wall or seawall. A retaining wall is a structure that holds or retains soil, whereas a seawall is a structure that prevents water from eroding the land.

Both structures prevent soil erosion and protect the foundation of your property. They also create a more appealing landscape around your waterfront property. If you don't want a seawall or retaining wall to go across the entire area of your landscape, work with your contractor to see where you can have partial walls put in. An experienced contractor can help you determine the type of retaining wall or seawall that is suitable for your property.

Building a waterfront property begins with site preparation. This is the best way to ensure a strong foundation for your beautiful waterfront property. Choosing the right site, clearing debris, leveling, grading, and drainage are essential when preparing a waterfront property. Retaining walls and seawalls are also vital in protecting and securing your property. Waterfront property construction can be challenging, but with proper site preparation and expert advice, you can achieve the perfect waterfront property.

Ready to start building your dream home? Get started on your site preparation by calling our team of specialists at Abbotts' Construction Services Inc.