How to Fix a Bulkhead

Bulkheads are designed to hold the shoreline in place to prevent erosion. These are typically made from wood planks placed on top of each other to create a soil barrier and are often used in marinas, around lakes, ponds and homes built on lake front or ocean front property. Over time, soil and water erode the bulkheads and cause small or large holes to form. If these holes are not addressed right away, they become larger, eventually requiring bulkhead replacement. If you fill the holes and stabilize the bulkhead, you will not have to replace the bulkhead as quickly and can extend the life of the bulkhead by several years.

Things You'll Need

• 2-inch wide pressure treated planks
• Pressure treated 2-by-4 boards
• Drill
• 6-inch screw
• ½-inch washer
• Acetone
• Waterproof epoxy sealant

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Drill out any rotted wood around the holes with a drill.

   • 2

     Clean out the holes with acetone. Allow the acetone to dry for one to two hours.

   • 3

     Fill the holes with waterproof epoxy sealant.

   • 4

     Place 2-inch pressure treated planks horizontally over the holes. If you have several holes in a row, cover all of the holes with the same plank piece.

   • 5

     Screw the planks in place with 6-inch screws every 24 inches along the plank. Place a washer on the back of each screw to prevent it from working its way inside the wood.

   • 6

     Place 2-by-4 boards horizontally on top of the 2-inch planks. Screw the 2-by-4 boards in place using the same screws and washers that you used to secure the smaller planks in place.