Preparing for Hurricane Season in the Florida Keys: What Every Waterfront Homeowner Should Know

Preparing for Hurricane Season in the Florida Keys: What Every Waterfront Homeowner Should Know
From the team at Seawall Florida Keys

Hurricane season is here—and if you live on the water in the Florida Keys, you know the drill: secure the windows, stock up on supplies, and keep an eye on the forecast. But too often, one major area of concern gets overlooked: your marine structures.

At Seawall Florida Keys, we've spent years building and repairing seawalls, docks, and boat lifts from Marathon to the northernmost point in the Keys. As hurricane season begins, we want to share some essential tips and insights to help you protect your investment—and your property.

🧱 Start with Your Seawall

Your seawall is your first line of defense against storm surge and tidal flooding. Here’s what to look for:

• Cracks, leaning, or settling – These are signs of structural weakness that can be made worse by hurricane conditions.

• Erosion behind the wall – Water washing away soil can undermine your entire property during a storm.

• Cap and joint damage – Loose or deteriorating caps and joints are weak points in a high-energy storm event.

Our advice: If your seawall is more than 20 years old or showing visible signs of wear, now is the time for an inspection. Small repairs today can prevent catastrophic failure tomorrow.

🚤 Check Your Dock

Florida Keys docks take a beating in a typical summer—but hurricane season brings stronger winds, higher tides, and the risk of floating debris.

• Inspect fasteners, pilings, and decking – Look for rust, rotting wood, or loose hardware.

• Make sure the structure is secured – Floating docks should have flexible anchoring systems that allow for surge. Fixed docks should be checked for solid structural integrity.

If your dock is already wobbly, deteriorating, or looks questionable, don’t wait. A weakened dock during a hurricane can break loose and become a danger to your home—and your neighbors'.

🛠 Prepare Your Boat Lift

Boat lifts can be damaged—or cause damage—during storms if not properly secured or maintained.

• Inspect cables and motors – Saltwater and time wear these down faster than you’d expect.

• Raise your lift as high as it safely allows before a storm—but make sure the structure supporting it is solid.

• Consider removing your boat entirely if a major storm is projected to hit.

When in doubt, give us a call. We inspect and service boat lifts year-round and can help make sure yours is hurricane-ready.

✅ Final Tip: Schedule an Inspection Now

At Seawall Florida Keys, we offer pre-storm inspections and emergency repairs for seawalls, docks, and boat lifts. Whether you’re a full-time resident or a seasonal homeowner, we’ll give you peace of mind heading into the storm season.

📞 Call us at 239-456-2395
📧 Email: seawallfloridakeys@gmail.com
🌐 Visit: www.seawallfloridakeys.com

Don’t wait until a storm is named to take action—schedule your inspection today and protect your waterfront property before the winds start to blow.