Mike Rutz Residential Seawall
Client type: Residential (homeowner)
Location: Florida
Homeowner Mike Rutz hired Ultramarine Solutions to replace an aging seawall that had reached the end of its useful life and was no longer providing reliable shoreline protection. After evaluating the site, Ultramarine and Foster Engineering developed an approach that let a new seawall go in directly in front of the existing one, minimizing disturbance to the property.
Replacing a Wall Without Tearing Up the Property
The existing seawall was past its useful life, but a conventional teardown would have meant significant disruption to the surrounding property and improvements. The goal was to install a reliable, modern wall while keeping the impact on the site as small as possible and maintaining stability throughout construction.
A New Wall in Front of the Old One
Ultramarine built the new seawall directly in front of the failing wall, allowing the old system to stay in place during construction and keeping disturbance to a minimum. The new wall was constructed with 18-foot vinyl panels designed for long-term durability and corrosion resistance, finished with a new concrete cap and helical tiebacks for added structural support and stability. The helical tiebacks were key: they delivered the wall support needed with minimal impact to the property and surrounding improvements, and let the team work efficiently within a limited waterfront construction area.
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A Modern Wall, Minimal Disruption
Mike Rutz came away with a modern shoreline protection system engineered to withstand long-term coastal exposure and future storms, with improved stability and a cleaner look along the waterfront. The project highlights Ultramarine’s ability to develop practical replacement solutions for aging seawalls while adapting construction methods to the realities of an existing site.
